"We Are" - Jon Batiste
Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97
Jon Batiste "We Are" - 95
Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85
H.E.R "Back Of My Mind" - 78
"We Are" - Jon Batiste
Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97
Jon Batiste "We Are" - 95
Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85
H.E.R "Back Of My Mind" - 78
For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100.
"Back Of My Mind" - H.E.R
1) "We Made It"
With a tranquil groove, this is about how she finally reached her dreams; "Running red lights, and following the signs, it's been a long ride".
2) "Back Of My Mind" ft/ Ty Dolla $ign
This is about a bond with a past romance; "I'm still the greatest of all time, in the back of your mind". Ty doesn't bring much of anything to the track.
3) "Trauma" ft/ Cordae
This deals with perception & public image.
4) "Damage"
Sampling "Making Love In The Rain", H.E.R doesn't want to be taken for granted. She uses her full range, and there's a nice piano outro.
5) "Find A Way" ft/ Lil Baby
Dealing with the journey to fame, there's some clunky writing.
6) "Bloody Waters"
There's passion behind the central message to this track; "speculate caution signs, Incriminate people's minds, war and love don't combine".
7) "Closer To Me"
This track is a bit bland.
8) "Come Through" ft/ Chris Brown
This is a duet about the urge to see each other. Overall, this track is just sort of there.
9) "My Own"
She's trying to be independent from her partner.
10) "Lucky"
This describes a romance.
11) "Cheat Code"
This deals with the frustration and tension of a romance.
12) "Mean It"
She's becoming skeptical of her partner's intentions; "Maybe I should be more like her, Just forget about what's right, just forget about my worth".
13) "Paradise" ft/ Yung Bleu
14) "Process"
15) "Hold On"
She's trying to move on; "How do you get somewhere comfortable, then leave?". There's a nice closing guitar rift.
16) "Don't"
This track opens with a nice guitar intro.
17) "Exhausted"
There isn't much behind this track.
18) "Hard To Love"
She's struggling after a break-up; "I can't expect you to fix all my issues".
19) "For Anyone"
There's some particularly good writing; "I look for peace of mind in someone else's eyes".
20) "I Can Have It All" ft/ DJ Khaled & Bryson Tiller
Dealing with the rise to fame, this track is somewhat redundant.
21) "Slide" w/ YG
This deals with her new perspective on love & relationships; "I don't care if we on the run, Nothin' matters when we one on one".
"Back Of My Mind" is a mixed bag of an album. There are genuinely some strong and passionate tracks, but a lot of filler as well in this bloated album. Sometimes less can be more, as some tracks get lost in the shuffle with twenty-one of them. (78)
Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97
Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85
H.E.R "Back Of My Mind" - 78
For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100.
"Happier Than Ever" - Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97
Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85
For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100.
"Donda" - Kanye West
1) "Donda Chant" ft/ Syleena Johnson
This acts as a meditative opening track.
2) "Jail" ft/ Jay-Z
Jail depicts Kanye amidst crisis in regards to his public image and marriage. Overall this track is rather repetitive, and not very creative in dealing with that reflection.
3) "God Breathed" ft/ Vory
He's imploring the listener to trust God. The writing is just awful, I mean; "God, the father like Maury". Vory's verses on their own would make for a better song.
4) "Off The Grid" ft/ Flvio Foreign & Playboy Carti
There are mixed messages among the verses.
5) "Hurricane" by Kanye West & The Weeknd ft/ Lil Baby
There's a nice flow from The Weeknd; "Father hold me close, don't let me drown". Kanye gets really personal.
6) "Praise God" ft/ Baby Keem & Travis Scott
This track deals with raising awareness.
7) "Jonah" ft/ Lil Durk & Vory
This is a tribute to Jonah Ware; "I hope you're here when I need the demons to be gone".
8) "Ok Ok" ft/ Lil Yachty & Rooga
'Ok Ok' is a reflection on betrayal and demonization in the public eye, but the track is yawn-inducing.
9) "Junya" ft/ Playboi Carti
This is a tribute to designer Junya Watanabe. The writing doesn't provide much.
10) "Believe What I Say"
This is another track on reflection; "people say tweeting gonna make you die early".
11) "24"
'24' is a dedication to Kobe Bryant and about the fragility of life.
12) "Remote Control" ft/ Young Thug
Another reflection on faith, Kanye is saying that God has a plan laid out.
13) "Moon" ft/ Don Toliver & Kid Cudi
A very tranquil track; "Angels, they say I'm not ever weak".
14) "Heaven & Hell"
Opening with a distorted sounding intro, it follows with a staccato flow.
15) "Donda" ft/ Stalone & The World Famous Tony Williams
The title track acts as a sort of interlude, featuring Kanye's late mother.
16) "Keep My Spirit Alive" ft/ Conway the Machine & Westside Gunn
Dealing with past reflections, the first verse isn't very pleasing to listen to.
17) "Jesus Lord" ft/ Jay Electronica
This track lays out a story, saying those on tough times need to listen to their faith.
18) "New Again"
This track is about a spiritual rebirth, but has a cluttered intro.
19) "Tell The Vision" ft/ Pop Smoke
This acts as a tribute to Pop Smoke.
20) "Lord I Need You"
Kanye reflects on his relationship to Kim K.
21) "Pure Souls" ft/ Roddy Ricch & Sheneseea
'Pure Souls' reflects on challenges, and rising up without selling one's soul.
22) "Come To Life"
Kanye desires for another life, wishing he had listened more.
23) "No Child Left Behind" ft/ Vory
This references the children of God.
24) "Jail Pt. 2" ft/ DaBaby & Marilyn Manson
A controversial track due to this collaboration, especially Manson and the sexual assault allegations levied against him.
25) "Ok Ok pt 2" ft/ Rooga & Shenseea"
26) "Junya Pt. 2" ft/ Playboi Carti & Ty Dolla $ign
27) "Jesus Lord Pt. 2" ft/ Jay Electronica & the Lox
I'll be honest, "Donda' was a sludge to get through. There are some good things there (mainly in the back-half and the solo tracks), but this album is so muddled. If the track list had been halved, then maybe 'Donda' would be worthy of the grammy nomination, but as it is, it felt like a chore to listen to. (61)
Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85
Kanye West "Donda" - 61
For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100.
Lil Nas X - "Montero"
Next to the NFC West, the AFC North could be the most competitive division this season. Right out of the gate, the Ravens are seeing a rash of injuries hit their team, with now both running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards looking doubtful this season, along with CB Marcus Peters. They'll be tested early to see if they can respond.
The Browns finally made a run of it following seasons of "winning on paper". Now with hopefully a healthy Odell Beckham, can they repeat and made a deep run?
The Steelers biggest question mark will be the offensive line, and how does Ben Roethlisberger hold up throughout the year? Hopefully with rookie RB Najee Harris, the running game can finally reach where its expected to be in Pittsburgh.
As for the Bengals, can Joe Burrow rebound from his knee injury last year and survive behind that offensive line?
1) Browns 11-6
2) Steelers 9-8
3) Ravens 9-8
4) Bengals 4-13
All Draft Summaries Come From NFL.COM
RD 1 (30) EDGE Greg Rousseau - Miami (FL) 6'7" 266lbs