NTTR - No Time to Review

A noisy and emotionally vulnerable collection of shoegaze and lo-fi indie rock, combining heavily distorted guitars, layered vocals and intimate songwriting with a particularly strange sense of humour. On sock monkeys find out they have to pay taxes and have no fun , Utah-based waterproof goldstar explores romantic disappointment, loneliness and emotional dependence through eleven compositions whose absurd titles frequently contrast with considerably more serious lyrical themes. I appreciate the sincerity of the writing, the occasionally immersive guitar arrangements and the distinctive personality. However, the excessive distortion, relatively limited melodic development and uneven songwriting make the album less rewarding than its emotional intentions suggest. A good but rather inconsistent underground release whose raw character is both its principal attraction and its most obvious limitation. The contrast between the album's presentation and its emotional content is probably it...

An ambitious and intriguing collection of psychedelic rock compositions, combining hypnotic krautrock rhythms, Afro-influenced percussion, progressive structures and abrasive guitar arrangements with an unusually prominent saxophone. On their debut album, Marseille-based Tense of Fools explore dreams, melancholy and psychological transformation through ten compositions that move between introspective atmospheres and more intense instrumental passages. I particularly appreciate the band's unusual musical identity, the contrast between rhythmic repetition and experimental textures, and the willingness to develop ideas beyond conventional rock structures. However, the considerable stylistic diversity occasionally threatens the coherence of the songwriting, while some extended passages could benefit from greater melodic focus. Jardin du Gange is a very good debut whose adventurous character and instrumental possibilities make it an interesting discovery. The album's concept revolv...

An ambitious but rather uneven collection of experimental emo compositions, combining noisy indie rock, lo-fi folk, unconventional instrumentation and emotionally intense songwriting. On past curfew , Seattle-based collective midwest, post death explore childhood trauma, addiction, grief and the difficulties of growing up through thirteen tracks recorded with an unusually large group of collaborators. I appreciate the sincerity of the writing, the variety of instrumental textures and the willingness to move beyond conventional emo structures. However, the fragmented arrangements, limited melodic memorability and occasional compositional excess make the album more interesting conceptually than consistently rewarding musically. past curfew is a decent release whose emotional ambitions and experimental personality don't always translate into convincing songs. One of the most distinctive aspects of the project is its collaborative nature. Developed primarily by Sophia Wynn Herrera, Wi...

An interesting but rather uneven collection of alternative electronic pop compositions, combining late-nineties trip-hop, big beat, indie rock textures and Shygirl's distinctive vocal style. On SWALLOW! , the British artist moves away from the more provocative club-oriented approach of her previous releases to explore romantic relationships, vulnerability and personal transformation. I appreciate the stylistic variety, the occasionally inventive electronic production and the more intimate vocal performances. However, the songwriting rarely matches the ambition of the arrangements, several compositions lack memorable melodies, and the emotional perspective remains relatively superficial. SWALLOW! is a decent album whose production and artistic intentions are considerably more convincing than its actual musical content. With SWALLOW! , Shygirl explores a different direction from the electronic club music that established her reputation. Working primarily with Karma Kid and Casey MQ,...

A competent but rather unremarkable collection of traditional East Coast hip-hop, combining Mathematics' familiar sample-based production with contributions from several Wu-Tang Clan members and underground rappers. Following Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman , the producer returns with ten tracks built around heavy drums, dark loops and straightforward lyrical performances. I appreciate the authenticity of the production, the presence of experienced MCs and a few enjoyable collaborations, particularly "God Body" and "Brolic". However, the instrumentals rarely introduce anything unexpected, the songwriting remains relatively basic, and the limited involvement of Wu-Tang members makes the album feel more like a compilation than a genuine group release. Black Samson: The Saga Continues is a decent hip-hop record whose nostalgic character is more convincing than its musical substance. Mathematics has been associated with the Wu-Tang universe for decades, contrib...

A pleasant but rather predictable collection of melodic progressive rock compositions, combining accessible AOR songwriting, elaborate keyboard arrangements and the familiar sound of eighties Asia. Twelve years after Gravitas , the band return with a renewed lineup led by Geoff Downes, supported by Harry Whitley, John Mitchell and Virgil Donati. I appreciate the instrumental performances, the melodic vocal arrangements and the emotional connection with John Wetton's musical legacy. However, the songwriting remains relatively conservative, several compositions lack memorable melodies, and the extended running time weakens the album's consistency. Indigo is a good to very good comeback whose musical craftsmanship and nostalgic character are more convincing than its originality. The circumstances surrounding the album are particularly significant. Following John Wetton's death in 2017, the future of Asia became uncertain, but Geoff Downes eventually returned to material they ...