Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "Future Nostalgia" - Dua Lipa

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Future Nostalgia" - Dua Lipa

(All Rights To Warner Records)

1) "Future Nostalgia"

The opening title track is a feminist anthem on confidence with a futuristic throwback feel; "you want a timeless song, I wanna change the game. Like modern architecture, John Lautner coming your way". She wants to be timeless. 

2) "Don't Start Now"

This deals with finding one's footing following a breakup; "I'm all good already, So moved on it's scary. I'm not where you left me at all...". The complexity of the instrumentals with its disco feel makes this track worth multiple re-listens just to focus on the instrumentals.  

3) "Cool"

"Cool" is about meeting someone new that causes you to lose your bearings; "Got me losin' all my cool, 'Cause I'm burnin' up on you". Along with a half-time chorus, this track has some serious Prince vibes.

4) "Physical"

There's a very 80's feel to this perfectly designed track.

5) "Levitating"

This is about a certain kind of love; "Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eyes, Shining just the way I like it." There's a nice lyrical flow. 

  

6) "Pretty Please"

"Pretty Please" deals with needing attention from your partner; "Hate it when you leave me unattended.......Put my mind at ease, pretty please". There's a really nice base line.

7) "Hallucinate"

This is about a love so deep that it changes your perception of reality; "I hallucinate when you call my name. Got stars in my eyes, And they don't fade when you come my way". This track has a cool vibe to it.

8) "Love Again"

"Love Again" centers around themes of empowerment and rebounding; "I'll sink my teeth in disbelief, 'cause you're that one that I want". 

9) "Break My Heart"

Dua is questioning her relationship choices; "I've always been the one to say the first goodbye. Had to love & lose a hundred million times. Had to get it wrong to know just what I like". Like with "Don't Start Now" there's a lot of interesting things going on in the backing instrumental.

10) "Good In Bed"

This is about a couple where sex is the only thing holding them together; "But if you only knew me the way you know my body, baby". The lyrical phrasing is a bit awkward.

11) "Boys Will Be Boys"

This closing track is an ode to what it's like being a woman; "It's second nature to walk home before the sun goes down, And put your keys between your knuckles when there's boys around". A powerful refrain in this track states that "boys will be boys, but girls will be women". 

Dua Lipa has a homerun on her hands with "Future Nostalgia". It's a rare album where nearly every track differentiates itself from the other. Overall this is a perfectly designed pop album with a message to tell. (95)

Taylor Swift - "Folklore" (100)

Dua Lipa - "Future Nostalgia" (95)

Black Pumas - "Black Pumas (Deluxe)" (91)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)

Jhene Aiko - "Chilombo" (78)

Post Malone - "Hollywood's Bleeding" (30)

Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "Chilombo" - Jhene Aiko

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Chilombo" - Jhene Aiko

(All Rights to Artclub/ARTium/Def Jam Records)

1) "Lotus (intro)"

A calm, opening defining track.

2) "Triggered (Freestyle)"

This addresses past relationships; "You brought me to an obstructed view, When you knew the picture was bigger". There's an especially nice flow during the 4th verse.

3) "None Of Your Concern" (ft/ Big Sean)

Jhene and Sean reflect on their failed relationship; "I was traumatized and suicidal, sick and tired. I am not to blame". Ultimately its about moving on.  

4) "Speak"

This deals with liberation and empowerment. Jhene states that she doesn't have to impress anyone else; "Look how the sun rises without our asking, Shinin' with so much passing, Light just for us to bask in".

5) "B.S." (ft/ H.E.R)

This is about bouncing back and self-confidence; "I am on my own now. I am in control now. I need you to go now, I can fix my own crown". 

6) "PU$$Y Fairy" (OTW)

This deals with an intimate relationship. There really isn't a lot to this, and the awkward echoes throughout the track don't mesh up well.

7) "Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E)" (ft/ Future & Miguel)

This revolves around how a woman is judged for her sexual freedom. Overall this track feels very jumbled. 

 

8) "One Way St." (ft/ Ab-soul)

Jhene reflects on her new direction in life. There's a disorienting feel to this that meshes with the overall theme.

9) "Define Me (Interlude)"

Similar to "Lotus", but this is against someone else defining her.

10) "Surrender" (ft/ Dr. Chill)

This is about surrendering one's self to the influences of the universe; "take a vow to be down for life". There's a very tranquil feel.

11) "Tryna Smoke"

This is about how Jhene handles/manages the various struggles of her life; "I wish that I was high, 'Cause I can't live my life when it's low".

12) "Born Tired"

Jhene needs something to life her up in this track; "three deep breaths, ten steps backwards...Tire marks on my heart" 

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13) "LOVE"

This is about the influence of opening up to love; "Look down, Standing on my feet. Over hills & valley peaks. Veering right until I meet everything I'm meant to be". The 4th verse really adds to this track's theme.

14) "10K Hours" (ft/ Nas)

This is reflecting on loss; "I'm not being difficult, I just see things differently. You don't see the urgency, that really worries me". Jhene is stating not to take life for granted.

15) "Summer 2020 (interlude)"

This emotional track is about Jhene's late brother.

16) "Mourning Doves"

There's really good writing behind this; "Some doors were closed just for others to open, I'm hopin' you let me in?", but I'm left wanting a bit more instrumentally.

17) "Pray For You"

This is about letting go from a past relationship; "though we're not together, God bless you still". This is a very mature way of looking at the past.

18) "Lighting & Thunder" (ft/ John Legend)

This harmonious duet is dealing with the early stages and trials of a relationship.

19) "Magic Hour"

This track drags on a bit.

20) "Party For Me (West Coast Version)" (ft/ Ty Dolla Sign)

Jhene contemplates mortality and how she wants to be remembered and celebrated; "it's a celebration, I finally made it". Its a positive look on things, as she isn't afraid.

I didn't know what I was expecting with "Chilombo", as I'd never listened to Jhene Aiko before, and I was pleasantly surprised. With tracks like "speak", "Surrender" and "Party For Me", Jhene and her writing thematically click and really expresses what she's trying to put out there to the world.(78)

Taylor Swift - "Folklore" (100)

Black Pumas - "Black Pumas (Deluxe)" (91)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)

Jhene Aiko - "Chilombo" (78)

Post Malone - "Hollywood's Bleeding" (30)

SNL: Best Of 2020

 

2020 has been quite a year. SNL went from starting off (like all of us) pretty normally...to producing shows from home, to now back on stage with a limited audience. On top of all that was the election (where SNL's coverage missed the mark for the most part). But there was still plenty of quality pieces this year. The following is my top 20 of the last year.

20) "On The Couch"

Another year, and another song featuring Chris Redd & Kenan Thompson.

19) "The Bachelor"

SNL "Bachelor" sketches tend to follow the same formula, but this one mixes it up with Adele playing herself as a contestant.

18) "Melissa Seals The Deal"

Melissa Villasenor and Chloe Fineman made the most of it with the home produced shows, starting with this Melissa piece that feels like a take on Christopher Walken's "The Continental"  

17) "Dreams"

The closing piece from last season, this feature showed what is waiting for us on the other side of all of this.  

16) "Enough Is Enough"

A good sketch that mocked how some social media influencers tried to do activism.  

15) "Bits"

A short that is right in Kyle Mooney's wheelhouse.

14) "Madame Vivelda"

An amusing sketch showing us how wild this year would have sounded had we were warned about it a year ago.

13) "Christmas Morning"

SNL has had a run recently of these sort of "realistic" family Christmas moments, and this one lives up to them.

12) "Airbnb Commercial"

Another solidly produced "at home" sketch starring Chloe Fineman, she really shined.

11) "NY Musical"

We had two John Mulaney hosted episodes in this past calendar year.....and with that came these big musical numbers.

10) "Sportsmax"

As I mentioned up top, the political coverage this year was middling for SNL, but this one rose above. A solid parody of the FOX News alternative "Newsmax".

9) "Masterclass"

The other Chloe Fineman "at home" piece in this list, she really made herself noticed.

8) "Stu"

Who had an eminem 'Christmas' themed parody in the year 2020? Yet here we are.

7) "Uncle Ben"

Just a spot on Dave Chappelle sketch reflecting on this past year besides the pandemic.

6) "December To Remember Car Commercial"

There was a whole story woven through this parody ad.

5) "The Science Room"

There has quietly been a number of memorable sketches similar to this, from Sam Rockwell's "Science Show" and Bill Hader's "Mister Wizard", but Adam Driver really stands out in this.

4) "Strollin'"

These were the kind of sketches that SNL should have focused more on in their election coverage.

3) "Airport Sushi"

This was the better of the two Mulaney musical sketches this past year.

2) "Del Taco Shoot"

Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney show off their chemistry here essentially repeating the same phrase over and over again.

1) "Tiny Horse"

Just the perfect version of absurdist humor. This one was just so out there and unexpected.  

Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition)" - Black Pumas

 

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

"Black Pumas (deluxe)" - Black Pumas

(All Rights to ATO Records)

*For this deluxe edition, I didn't include the live recorded tracks in the review, so as to not inflate the final score amidst the other nominees. 

1) "Black Moon Rising"

This bluesy track is loosely about a man desperately in love; "You brave the sight, I paint the picture...all she wants to do is cruise to the black moon rising".

2) "Colors"

"Colors" explores the diversity found in everyday life; "now take me to the other side, little bitty blue birds fly, in gray clouds, or white walls , or blue skies". The lyrical poetry in this folk-sounding track is magnificent.  

 

3) "Know You Better"

There's a nice groove to "Know You Better"; "I want to know you better, I gotta take this time. Stop and see the weather".

4) "Fire"

This western-sounding track deals with longing; "Don't be afraid to say 'I need you' ".

5) "OCT 33"

The title is referencing a day that will never be, in relation to a relationship; "So help me hear the birds sing. I'll help you capture your dream". There's a nice guitar rift that adds to "OCT 33" 's style.

6) "Stay Gold"

While the vocals are rich, "Stay Gold" gets lyrically repetitive. 

7) "Old Man"

There's a nice beat, but the lyrical phrasing is awkward in spots.

8) "Confines"

This deals with striving to make a difference; "Make me wise, take me far. Says the mind unto the heart". 

9) "Touch The Sky"

There's a nice brass feature in this lyrically rich track; "Let me touch the sky, brother. Let's play the game. I do my thing 'til I'm satisfied, sister. This love's everywhere, say a little prayer".

10) "Sweet Conversations"

This tranquil sounding track goes pretty deep; "If I'm lost in my darkness with my soul on the pavement, Won't you speak with me, spirit? Babe, we can't let this love run dry". 

11) "Fast Car"

This is a very respectful cover to the Tracy Chapman classic, subtly adding a few flourishes.

12) "I'm Ready"

There's a nice beat, but its a bit scattered lyrically.

13) "Red Rover"

This track is very smooth-flowing.

14) "Black Cat"

"Black Cat" is rock & soul blended to perfection.

15) "Politicians In My Eyes"

This take on the punk group "Death's" 'politicians' shows the song's relevance to the present day.  

16) "Eleanor Rigby"

The Black Pumas put their own spin to this Beatles classic, giving it a funk sound.

17) "Ain't No Love In the Heart Of The City"

Much like "Eleanor Rigby", they give their own flair to this Bobby Bland track. 

On top of the superb overall work, the Black Pumas find time to shine a new light on some classic covers. I can't wait to see what The Black Pumas do next. (91)

Taylor Swift - "Folklore" (100)

Black Pumas - "Black Pumas (Deluxe)" (91)

Haim - "Women In Music - Pt. III" (85)

Post Malone - "Hollywood's Bleeding" (30)