NTTR - No Time to Review

I get what Manifeste is aiming for, and I respect the scale of it — the ritual framing, the political and spiritual weight, the way everything is meant to feel urgent and declarative. But as a listening experience, it often feels overdetermined. There’s a lot of intent in every bar, a lot of density in the writing, and not always enough space for the music to breathe or surprise me. I’m impressed more often than I’m moved. It’s ambitious, serious, and impeccably played, but the constant intensity flattens its long-term impact. Pros Strong compositional ambition – Big ideas, complex forms, and a clear conceptual spine throughout. Rhythmic and technical authority – The playing is airtight; odd meters and layered grooves are handled with total control. Distinct cultural identity – Armenian folk and choral elements give the album a voice that isn’t generic fusion. Cons Emotional saturation – Almost everything arrives at “maximum importance,” which reduces contrast and ...

This one lands as perfectly fine Joyce Manor rather than essential Joyce Manor. The songs are short, catchy, and emotionally readable, but they rarely surprise me. I like the self-awareness and the wry, tired-of-your-own-shit tone, yet the record feels more like a continuation than a statement. It goes down easy, maybe a bit too easy — enjoyable in the moment, but not something that lingers once it’s over. Pros Concise, efficient songwriting – No filler, no bloat; every track gets in and out quickly. Relatable, low-key lyrical voice – Still good at mixing humor, regret, and emotional detachment. Clean, punchy sound – Polished without losing all of their scrappy edge. Cons Low ambition – Feels content to coast on the Joyce Manor formula. EP-level impact – Too short and uniform to build real emotional momentum. Limited replay pull – Fun while it’s on, but doesn’t demand returning to it. Genre : Pop Punk Country : US Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranki...

I get what URGH is doing, and I respect the intent more than the result. The record is confrontational by design — noise as pressure, rhythm as blunt force — and on a purely physical level it works. But over the full runtime, that intensity starts to flatten out. The ideas are strong, the execution is committed, yet the album rarely opens up into moments that stick beyond the immediate impact. It feels more like a sustained state of agitation than a journey, which leaves me impressed in the moment but not especially compelled to return. Pros Physical, punishing energy – The industrial/noise attack hits hard and feels intentional, not sloppy. Clear identity and stance – No ambiguity about what this band is or what they’re pushing against. Rhythmic drive over pure chaos – Even at its ugliest, the pulse is controlled and deliberate. Cons Limited dynamic range – Constant intensity dulls the impact over time. Low melodic or structural payoff – Few moments that trul...

3 I don’t dislike Tenterhooks , but it rarely asks much of me. It settles into that familiar Silversun Pickups zone—hazy guitars, soft-focus melodies, restrained tension—and just stays there. The sound is controlled and coherent, almost too much so. I keep waiting for a real turn, a rupture, something that reframes the mood rather than extends it. As a listen, it’s pleasant and consistent, but it feels more like maintenance than momentum. Pros Strong textural cohesion – The shoegaze-leaning guitars and synth layers are well balanced and immersive. Professional, polished production – Everything sounds considered, clean, and deliberate. Comfortable late-night mood – Works well as a sustained atmosphere without being grating. Cons Low risk, low surprise – The album rarely challenges its own formula. Blurred track identity – Too many songs bleed into each other without clear standout moments. Muted emotional payoff – The restraint never quite converts into catha...

I wanted this to hit harder than it did. Anomalies is clearly written and performed by a band that knows exactly who they are, but that familiarity is also its main limitation. The melancholy is sincere, the structures are competent, and the musicianship is never in doubt — yet very little here surprises me. It plays like a careful continuation rather than a necessary return. I stay engaged while it’s on, but once it ends, there’s not much pulling me back beyond a few well-shaped moments. Pros Consistent atmosphere – The dark, reflective prog-metal mood is coherent and sustained throughout. Solid compositional discipline – Songs are structured with intent; nothing feels sloppy or underwritten. Mature emotional tone – Themes of ageing and introspection feel honest rather than melodramatic. Cons Too safe for prog – Rarely challenges its own language or pushes beyond established Wolverine territory. Mid-tempo drag – A lot of material sits in the same emotional and...

I don’t dislike this, but it never fully commits to being more than a competent extension of the Puscifer universe. Normal Isn’t has moments of tension and bite—especially when it leans into post-punk stiffness and darker guitar textures—but too often it settles into a familiar mid-tempo lope where atmosphere substitutes for momentum. It’s controlled, well-played, and thematically coherent, yet rarely urgent. I come away respecting the craft more than feeling pulled back in. Pros Clear tonal identity – The goth/post-punk shading gives the album a consistent, nocturnal mood. Solid musicianship – Rhythm section and textures are disciplined; nothing feels sloppy or undercooked. Restraint over bombast – Avoids forced climaxes and Tool-adjacent excess. Cons Low payoff density – Few tracks truly arrive ; tension often plateaus. Mid-tempo drag – Too many songs sit in the same energy band, blunting contrast. Concept over compulsion – Interesting ideas, but limited ...