Saturday, January 11, 2025

2025 Grammy's Review: "The Tortured Poets Department" - Taylor Swift

 



The Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift

(Republic Records)




1) Fortnight ft/ Post Malone
                                                                                                                                           
The vocals sit well with the synths, but this song does feel repetitive at times. Post does a good job though with his prominent role during the bridge.




2) The Tortured Poets Department

There's a cool 80s pop-beat. The chorus finds Taylor openly mocking herself and her partner. The 2nd verse is a bit shaky lyrically, but the bridge feels highly personal. Her soft vocals add emphasis.


3) My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

This track continues that 80s 'Madonna-esque' vibe. There's nice variety throughout the verses on this underrated track; "Rivulets descend my plastic smile.....Pull the string and I'll tell you that he runs because he loves me". 


4) Down Bad

The synth work really adds to the vibe. This track deals with 'love-bombing'; "tell me I was the chosen one...sent me back where I came from". You can sense the anger and sorrow present.


5) So Long, London

Right from the start this track grabs your attention with the 'choral bells' style of into. You get the sense that she's been trying to prop her partner up; "I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free". She emotes perfectly throughout this track, giving off a sense of frustration while letting go and moving on.


6) But Daddy I Love Him

This track has a throwback Country vibe. While she's playful and coy in chorus, she also makes some serious comments regarding the media and/or the extremes of the parasocial nature of the fandom; "I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing". 


7) Fresh Out The Slammer

This track centers around a rebound, with a western country feel. The closing half-time feel can feel very sudden and abrupt.


8) Florida!!! ft/ Florence + The Machine

Florence brings her signature vocal styling on this feature; "So I did my best to lay to rest all of the bodies that have ever been on my body". This track has an overall cool vibe, but it can feel a bit lyrically puzzling.


9) Guilty As Sin?

She's feeling trapped; "This cage was once just fine, Am I allowed to cry?". This track really grooves as she deals with fantasizing while either in a relationship or just out of one.  The bridge feels very poetic.


10) Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?

This track feels very haunting; "So I leap from the gallows, and I levitate down your street". You can really feel the anger.


11) I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

That western country vibe comes back. This song kind of just goes in circles.


12) loml

There are some deeply heartbreaking lyrics on this piano ballad; "I can't get out of bed, 'Cause something counterfeit's dead". 


13) I Can Do It With A broken Heart

This track is very unique, as your hear the Eras Tour stage directions in the background. While upbeat, you get the sense of what she was going through during the beginning leg of the tour.




14) The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

She makes good use of her lower voice on this track. This bridge is simply epic, as she lets out her anger. It feels theraputic.


15) The Alchemy

While there's a cool vibe, this track can feel a bit forgettable.


16) Clara Bow

This track almost feels like a sequel to "Nothing New", as she talks about what it takes to make it in the industry; "Beauty is a beast that roars, down on all fours, demanding more". A perfect message for both the close of the traditional album, and intro to the anthology.


The Tortured Poets Department is a fascinating album, with it largely written either during the prep for the tour or while on the tour itself. While there are some bumps, this certainly feels like her most personal album (especially once you factor in the tracks on the anthology). An impressive piece of work. (88.1)

90.9 "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" Chappell Roan

88.1 "The Tortured Poets Department" - Taylor Swift

87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish 

87.3 "Cowboy Carter" Beyoncé

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier

69.3 "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000




Saturday, January 4, 2025

2025 Grammy's Review: "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" - Chappell Roan

 


"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" - Chappell Roan

(Amusement/Island Records)




1) Femininomenon

A perfect opening track, this deals with wanting more; "I'm so sick of online love". The switch-up with the tempo in this track is genius.




2) Red Wine Supernova

This deals with exploration; "Fell in love with the thought of you". The bridge is terrific.




3) After Midnight

She doesn't want to be classified or deemed as a "good girl"; "I'm feeling kind of freaky, maybe its the moonlight". 


4) Coffee

This slowed down track packs a lot into it; "I'll meet you for coffee, cause if we have wine, you'll say that you want me, I know that's a lie....If I didn't love you, that would be fine". Some really powerful lyrics.


5) Casual

She's stuck between a 'friends with benefits' situationship and a relationship; "you said 'we're not together', so now when we kiss, I have anger issues".




6) Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl

With a dance beat, this track deals with how she's over it, dealing with the same type of person; "I'm through with all these hyper mega bummer boys like you". A really fun track.




7) HOT TO GO!

This track has a sort of "Mickey" (Toni Basil) feel to it, along with Madonna; "it's all in my head, but I want non-fiction". 




8) My Kink Is Karma

With a half-time feel, she's gleeful at her ex's downfall; "ruined my credit, stole my cute aesthetic......using your distress as foreplay". 



9) Picture You

There's a different vibe (a classic kind of sound). This track is so well-written, dealing with self-pleasure along with a wistfulness; "Do you feel the same, I'm too scared to say half of the things I do when I picture you". 


10) Kaleidoscope

Vocally this acts as a showcase for what Chappell can do, but I find that it drags a bit. The aural vibe is similar to "Picture You", but with this track it feels like it doesn't really go anywhere.




11) Pink Pony Club

Chappell Roan paints a picture on this track about staying true to herself.


12) Naked In Manhattan

Late in the album, I find "Naked In Manhattan" to be a standout on what she's capable of accomplishing. 




13) California

A mournful track, this deals with all the times she's felt like she's let the past version of herself down (through all of the roadblocks to get to this moment).


14) Guilty Pleasure

There's a sort of Lana-vibe present here; "feels like pornography watching you try on jeans".  


"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" is up there among debut works from an artist. She's been on a journey to get to this moment (getting turned away by prior record labels), but hearing this album its just hard to imagine anyone turning her down. There's a lot of variety here, from up-tempo dance beats to some brilliant slowed-down tracks. I can't wait to see where she goes next. (90.9)

90.9 "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" Chappell Roan

87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish 

87.3 "Cowboy Carter" Beyoncé

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier

69.3 "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000



Sunday, December 29, 2024

2025 Grammy's Review: "Cowboy Carter" - Beyoncé

 



"Cowboy Carter" - Beyoncé

(Parkwood/Columbia Records)




1) American Requiem

The layered choir really works on this track. She's making a statement, regarding to what classifies as country among other things; "Salty tears beyond my gaze....Used to say, I spoke too country". 


2) Blackbiird (w/ Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell & Tiera Kennedy)

Justice is done for this Beatles cover.


3) 16 Carriages

There's a nice guitar intro. This track details her work to get to this point; "At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray".




4) Protector (w/ Rumi Carter)

This track acts as a lullaby on how she'll always be there for her kids; "Even though I know someday you're gonna shine on your own, I will be your projector".


5) My Rose

6) Smoke Hour Willie Nelson (w/ Willie Nelson)

7) Texas Hold 'Em

There's a nice catchy groove; "There's a heat wave coming at us, too hot to think straight, too cold to panic". 




8) Bodyguard

This track has a half-time feel to it. The writing is really clever; "turn around and John Wayne that ass".


9) Dolly P (w/ Dolly Parton)

10) Jolene

The vocals and instrumentals are lovely, but this interpretation of 'Jolene' doesn't quite work for me.


11) Daughter

This all flows quite well; "Your arrogance disturbed my solitude....I am colder than Titanic water".


12) Spaghetti  (w/ Linda Martell & Shaboozey)

This delves into genre bending.


13) Alligator Tears

I love the vibe.


14) Smoke Hour II (w/ Willie Nelson)

15) Just for Fun (w/ Willie Jones)

This track drags a bit.


16) II Most Wanted  (w/ Miley Cyrus)

The harmonies are beautiful; "We're getting high til we 't realize time is passing by". 




17) Levii's Jeans (w/ Post Malone)

This track is very playful throughout; "You're my renaissance". This really grooves.


18) Flamenco

This is a bit of a vocal showcase.


19) The Linda Martell (w/ Linda Martell)

20) Ya Ya

There might be a "Boots are made for walking' sample in this intro. I can picture this being a showstopper in concert.


21) Oh Louisiana

22) Desert Eagle

23) Riiverdance

The guitar is very lively on this track.


24) II Hands II Heaven 

25) Tyant (w/ Dolly Parton)

There's a sort of fusion vibe on this track that really works.


26) Sweet Honey Buckiin (w/ Shaboozey)

This track has its moments, but the feature aspect of it isn't the strongest.


27) Amen

This comes full circle, circling back to American Requiem. 


This second act for Beyoncé's project really works and has a lot of variety in it. Its not simply a "country" album, but her own interpretation, going back to the roots of the genre. Who knows what she'll do next, but here's hoping her next project is rock related. (87.3)

87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish 

87.3 "Cowboy Carter" Beyoncé

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier

69.3 "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000





Monday, December 16, 2024

2025 Grammys Review: "New Blue Sun" - Andre 3000

 


"New Blue Sun" - Andre 3000

(Epic Records)




1) "I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time"

A very ambient sound that paints an outdoor landscape.



2) "The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off the Tongue with Far Better Ease Than the Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?"
An exhausting track, that's like unpleasant ASMR at times.



3) "That Night in Hawaii When I Turned into a Panther and Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn't Control ... Sh¥t Was Wild"

A subtle and soft intro.



4) "BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears a 3000® Shirt Embroidered"


This track is unique sounding with an eerie vibe that's like a sci-fi film.


5) "Ninety Three 'Til Infinity and Beyoncé"

There's not a lot there that's original from the prior tracks.



6) "Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy"
There's a lot happening in the background but it gets a bit repetitive.



7) "Ants to You, Gods to Who?"

A tiring track that sounds more like the same.



8) "Dreams Once Buried Beneath the Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout into Undying Gardens"
There's no real defining moment on this closing track.


I get the experiment and the general nature of what Andre 3000 is trying to do, but this album leaves a lot to be desired. It gets quite repetitive and there are just no real stand out moments. (69.3)

87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish 

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier

69.3 "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000




Thursday, December 12, 2024

2025 Grammy's Review: "Hit Me Hard &" Soft" - Billie Eilish

 


"Hit Me Hard & Soft" - Billie Eilish

(All rights to Darkroom/Interscope Records)






1) Skinny

A tranquil opening about finding oneself (relating to love); "and the internet is hungry for the meanest kind of funny".


2) Lunch

An upbeat, fun and catchy track. We find Billie being playful with her writing; "she's the headlights I'm the deer".



3) Chihiro

There is a nice beat, but I would like a bit more variance.

4) Birds Of A Feather

With a nice moving beat, this is about the early stages of a flourishing relationship; "but if it's forever, it's even better".



5) Wildflower

With an acoustic intro, the lyrics and vocals really flow together.

6) The Greatest 

The vocals are powerful and the instrumentals keep it from dragging. There is a strong closing.

7) L'Amour De Ma Vie

This has a different vibe, but it's a bit 1-note backing wise before there's a switch-up. I wish the track felt more like the back half.

8) The Diner

This has a nice flow, with a French pop kind of vibe.

9) Bittersuite

With an electronic feel this has another change up halfway in; "have you underneath all of my beliefs".

10) Blue

This cleverly threads together the album; " I try to live in black and white but I'm so blue". She's rather lyrically savage on this closing track.


This is a very strong album. As I mentioned on "Blue", ultimately each track has a cohesive feel to it, flowing together in the end. I can't wait to see what she does next. (87.9)


87.9 " Hit Me Hard & Soft " Billie Eilish 

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier





Friday, November 29, 2024

2025 Grammys Review: "Djesse Vol. 4" - Jacob Collier

 



Djesse Vol. 4 -- Jacob Collier

(All rights to Hajanga Records)




1) 100,000 Voices

There's a Bono/Chris Martin quality to his voice. The production is busy, and  the ending kinda comes out of nowhere without being earned.


2) She Put Sunshine

The writing feels basic.


3) Little Blue ft/ Brandi Carlisle

This feature is a nice change of pace.



4) Wellll

This has an alt-rock vibe with some solid writing behind it, "I'm bleeding, I think I'm reading you well".



5) Cinnamon Crush ft/ Lindsey Lomis

This is a nice feature, but it brings back some of the production stylings that didn't work for me in the 1st couple of tracks.


6) Wherever I Go ft/ Lawrence & Michael McDonald

This is catchy but again there's more simplistic writing.



7) Summer Rain ft/ Madison Cunningham & Chris While

A very nice feature, "I don't masquerade inside the flame".


8) A Rock Somewhere ft/ Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal

The sitar brings a different vibe.


9) Mi Corazon ft/ Camilo

The Latin pop vibe doesn't mesh with Jacob's production.



10) Witness Me ft/ Shawn Mendes, Stormzy & Kirk Franklin

Stormzy brings a nice change.



11) Never Gonna Be Alone ft/ Lizzy McAlpine & John Mayer

The vocals are nice but the song doesn't really go anywhere.



12) Bridge Over Troubled Water ft/ John Legend & Tori Kelly

Jacob's style drags this classic cover down.



13) Over You ft/ Aespa & Chris Martin

The production is self indulgent.


14) Box Of Stars PT 1 ft/ Kirk Franklin, Chika, D Smoke, Sho Madjozi, Yelle & Kanyi Mavi

This is layered well.


15) Box Of Stars PT 2 ft/ Metropole Orkest, Suzie Collier, Steve Vai & Voces8

Unlike part 1, this all feels disjointed.


16) World O World

A dragging and self indulgent ending.

Overall I found this album self indulgent and artsy just for the sake of it. He's going in so many different directions at once without really committing to anything. While there are a few tracks and features that work, overall this just feels kind of disjointed. (69.6)


85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter 

69.6 "Djesse Vol 4" Jacob Collier



Monday, November 18, 2024

2025 Grammys Review: "Short n' Sweet" - Sabrina Carpenter

 


"Short N' Sweet" - Sabrina Carpenter 

(All rights to Island Records)





1) Taste

This reminds me somewhat of an inverted version of "Girl crush" by Little Big Town.




2) Please Please Please

There's a funky vibe,  "I heard you're an actor, so act like a stand up guy.... If you don't wanna cry to my music  don't make me hate you prolifically".




3) Good Graces

There is a pop and R&B feel. Sabrina is saying to stay on her good side; "I'll tell the world that you finish your chores prematurely".


4) Sharpest Tool

The chorus is creative, especially the instrumental; " guilt tripped me to open up to you". A very well produced track.



5) Coincidence

There's a campfire guitar vibe. There's some clever writing; "Your car drove itself from L.A to her thighs".


6) Bed Chem

There's a sort of old school funk vibe. Once more, the writing is very creative and witty; " Where art thou? Why not uponeth me?" A very catchy track.




7) Espresso

This worked as a lead single, but its suffered a bit for me with radio overplay.




8) Dumb & Poetic

This callout track left me wanting more from it.


9) Slim Pickins

With a country feel, Sabrina is like a new-age Dolly Parton on this track. Her vocals are quite impressive.


10) Juno

A catchy clever track,  there's a classic pop guitar riff.


11) Lie To Girls

This track doesn't have a distinct style, but it does close strong.


12) Don't Smile

With an R&B (Miguel) vibe, this track has a clear closing message; "Don't smile because it happened baby cry because it's over".



On Sabrina's last 2 albums, she's seen herself vault into the mainstream,  and on this effort we see her writing being as clever and as witty as ever. The sky is the limit on what style Sabrina wants to tackle next. (85.9)

85.9 "Short n' Sweet" Sabrina Carpenter