| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | There are many ways artists can transcend. They can capture an atmosphere and a sonic palette that goes far beyond our earthly realm. They can employ thematic ideas that explore the very idea of transcending itself. They can expand on their existing stylistic repertoire, graduating from their usual conventions for something moreContinueContinue reading “Transcendent: Gorillaz – The Mountain *ALBUM REVIEW*”
Author Archives: Dan Will Review
Even more mutant: James Blake – Trying Times *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | It’s fascinating, really. As Blake leans more heavily into the organic warmth of traditional R&B music, his vocal applications grow even more manipulated. These undulations occur almost as if he were modulating himself in real time, independent of the technology required. The more rustic approach to his usual alien croon tunes onContinueContinue reading “Even more mutant: James Blake – Trying Times *ALBUM REVIEW*”
“I got blacker”: Jack Harlow – Monica *ALBUM REVIEW*
✨ “I love Black music. I love the sound of Black music. And of course, I’m hyper-aware of the politics of today, that safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found. And of course, it appealed to me to do something that I felt, at a time when there’s certainly peopleContinueContinue reading ““I got blacker”: Jack Harlow – Monica *ALBUM REVIEW*”
No college try: Charli XCX – Wuthering Heights *SOUNDTRACK REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐✨ | ‘Brat’ was a cultural phenomenon at the time of its release. You know that, I know that. Even the would-be president of the U.S at the time was being branded with the endearing title. It was something that resembled a form of monoculture, which in today’s splintered internet age is a genuineContinueContinue reading “No college try: Charli XCX – Wuthering Heights *SOUNDTRACK REVIEW*”
The gift that keeps on giving: Converge – Love Is Not Enough *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Massachusetts metalcore masterminds Converge have made it their mission over the last 30 odd years to construct loud rock that genuinely shakes the planet. Their impact on heavy music cannot be understated. Their breakthrough 2001 LP ‘Jane Doe’ has become a benchmark for raging hardcore and metal music. Bannon’s banshee-like shrieks enhanceContinueContinue reading “The gift that keeps on giving: Converge – Love Is Not Enough *ALBUM REVIEW*”
Picking up where they left off: By Storm – My Ghosts Go Ghost *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Injury Reserve looked destined to elevate themselves to alternative hip-hop legend status in the mid to late-2010’s. They had one of the best streaks of releases of any group or artist at the time, rivalling contemporaries like Brockhampton with more than half the members. ‘Live From The Dentist Office’, ‘Floss’, their ‘DriveContinueContinue reading “Picking up where they left off: By Storm – My Ghosts Go Ghost *ALBUM REVIEW*”
An industrial thrill-ride: Mandy, Indiana – URGH *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Your first impression of Mandy, Indiana’s sophomore album ‘URGH’ will either make or break your experience. Given industrial music’s mini-resurgence in recent years, particularly thanks to bands like Model/Actriz and Fat Dog making it cool to get sweaty and abrasive again, it should come as no shock that Mandy, Indiana have aContinueContinue reading “An industrial thrill-ride: Mandy, Indiana – URGH *ALBUM REVIEW*”
A strong send-off: J. Cole – The Fall-Off *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐⭐⭐✨ | Rarely do rappers see the kind of longevity that has been afforded to an artist like J. Cole. His career trajectory is an interesting case study when you actually observe his overall output. Landing on the underground scene back in 2011 with a promising mixtape, Cole showed hunger, and an inclination towardsContinueContinue reading “A strong send-off: J. Cole – The Fall-Off *ALBUM REVIEW*”
Midsumma Pride Festival: Dead Mum Cabaret | THEATRE REVIEW
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | There are two things that are absolutely certain in this life: death… and theatre! Approaching death as a subject in a show, especially a live show, seems to be as confronting as the actual idea of death itself. It happens to all of us, whether it’s you or me, or someone weContinueContinue reading “Midsumma Pride Festival: Dead Mum Cabaret | THEATRE REVIEW”
A bland assemblage: Joyce Manor – I Used To Go To This Bar *ALBUM REVIEW*
| ⭐✨ | Joyce Manor have been making albums for 16 years. That’s 16 years of needing to sit down, jam out ideas and thoughts, structure them into songs, place them into a tracklist, and release it into the world. That’s 16 years of needing to spin mostly boilerplate power pop and emo cuts intoContinueContinue reading “A bland assemblage: Joyce Manor – I Used To Go To This Bar *ALBUM REVIEW*”
