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Seether - Seether Workout Vol. 3 (2026)

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This feels less like an album and more like a functional rock bundle. Seether Workout Vol. 3 delivers exactly what the title promises: loud, mid-tempo, riff-driven tracks built for momentum rather than reflection. The problem is that once the initial punch wears off, there’s not much else happening. It’s competent, aggressive, and familiar — maybe too familiar. The grit is still there. The guitars hit with weight, and Shaun Morgan’s voice carries that worn, post-grunge edge that defined the band’s sound for years. But because this is essentially a curated compilation, there’s no evolution, no narrative arc, no sense of risk. It’s muscle memory. It works in the background of a gym session. It doesn’t demand attention beyond that. Pros Consistent heavy energy – Riffs are tight and punchy; the intensity never really drops. Recognizable identity – The band’s signature post-grunge sound remains intact and immediate. Functional sequencing – As a workout-style collection, the f...

Steve Roach - Sentient Being (2026)

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I recognize the craftsmanship here, but I struggle to stay engaged. Sentient Being is undeniably immersive — the mix is deep, the textures are layered, and the sonic field feels wide and carefully sculpted. But immersion alone isn’t enough for me. After the initial atmosphere settles, the album starts to feel static, like it’s circling a mood rather than evolving it. There’s no glaring flaw — just a persistent sense of emotional neutrality. The sequencing sustains tone but rarely escalates, and I don’t feel a clear arc pulling me forward. It’s competent, well-produced ambient that fills space effectively, yet it never quite transforms that space into something essential. I respect it, but I don’t feel compelled to return. Pros High production quality – Deep stereo field and clean layering; technically strong ambient design. Consistent atmosphere – Maintains a focused, contemplative tone without veering into sentimentality. Textural subtlety – Small harmonic and timbral s...

TX2 - End Of Us (2026)

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This is loud, confrontational, and clearly made to provoke — but it doesn’t always hold together as an album. The End Of Us leans hard into emo-tinged alt-rock theatrics: distorted riffs, big shouted hooks, and a kind of internet-age angst that’s intentionally exaggerated. When it locks into a focused chorus, it works. There’s real punch in some of the heavier moments. But I keep feeling the seams. The stylistic jumps — from pop-punk gloss to metalcore aggression to industrial edges — don’t always feel intentional so much as restless. It’s energetic, yes, but not consistently crafted. I respect the ambition and the refusal to be subtle, but I don’t hear enough structural discipline to make it more than a decent, chaotic listen. Pros High energy and conviction – The aggression feels genuine, not phoned-in. Memorable chorus moments – A few hooks genuinely stick after the first listen. Genre crossover appeal – Blends emo, alt-rock, and metalcore elements in a way that could...

Dina Ögon - Människobarn (2026)

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This is a pleasant record that never quite turns into a gripping one. Människobarn sounds comfortable in its own skin — warm basslines, soft psych-soul textures, tasteful arrangements — but that comfort is also the ceiling. I admire how cohesive the palette is; nothing feels rushed or accidental. At the same time, very few moments push past “nice atmosphere” into something that really lingers. The grooves are subtle, the vocals float easily, and the production stays organic and rounded. But I keep waiting for a sharper melodic hook or a structural left turn that never quite arrives. It’s refined and easy to sit with, yet emotionally it stays mid-intensity. I don’t dislike it — I just don’t feel compelled to live inside it. Pros Cohesive sonic identity – The retro-soul / dream-pop blend feels unified and intentional. Warm, organic production – Bass and drums sit beautifully; nothing sounds synthetic or forced. Vocal restraint – The delivery is controlled and understated, ...

Jay Buchanan - Weapons Of Beauty (2026)

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I wanted this to hit harder than it does. On paper, Weapons of Beauty should be exactly my lane — rootsy, reflective, vocal-forward Americana from a singer who clearly has emotional range. And there are flashes where it works: when Buchanan leans into fragility and lets the songs breathe, the intimacy feels earned. But across a full listen, it settles into a steady midtempo drift that never quite escalates. The restraint becomes predictability. The production is clean and tasteful, maybe too tasteful — the grit and tension that could have lifted these songs into something urgent are mostly sanded down. I respect the pivot from full-band rock to something more personal, but as an album experience, it feels more like a solid sketchbook than a fully realized statement. Pros Vocal sincerity – Buchanan’s voice carries real weight; when he pushes into vulnerability, it feels authentic rather than performative. Tasteful restraint – The arrangements leave space and avoid overproduct...

no-man - Scatter: Lost Not Lost Volume Two 1991-1997 (2026)

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This feels exactly like what it is: an archive. There are flashes of invention here — moody trip-hop textures, ambient drift, art-rock abrasion — but it rarely locks into something fully realized. I admire the willingness to shift palettes mid-stream, yet the stylistic jumps don’t always accumulate into momentum. Instead of building an arc, the record documents possibilities. There’s value in hearing a band experiment in real time, especially one as mercurial as no-man in the ’90s. But as a listening experience, it’s uneven. The stronger cuts hint at a sharper, more focused album that never quite materializes. I respect the craft and the ambition; I just don’t feel compelled to live inside it. Pros Historical depth — Captures an exploratory era with real stylistic range (ambient, art-rock, trip-hop). Textural ambition — Interesting production layers and atmospheric experimentation. Moments of strong songwriting — A few tracks rise above the archival feel and show real emo...