This was supposed to be it. This was supposed to be career defining. A statement on the heights Tate McRae’s potential could take her. Instead, So Close To What cements Tate’s position as a singles pop artist with the highest of highs and deep deep lows. A failure to capitalize on what seemed like endlessContinue reading “So Close To What questions the trajectory of Tate McRae’s career”
Tag Archives: Music Review
Favourite Albums of 2024
2024 saw a changing of the guard at the top of the pop sphere. Mainstays like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish released projects to mixed results, while stars simmering at the level below in Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter stunned the world with their releases. Gracie Abrams and Chappell Roan surgedContinue reading “Favourite Albums of 2024”
Jish’s Best Albums of 2023
2023 felt like a dense year for albums. Was it a dense year? So much to listen to. So much to sift through. So much to sit with and analyze. The throughline of my favourite albums this year has been emotional songwriting, sonic exploration, and genre boundary pushing. The year saw some artists expertly digContinue reading “Jish’s Best Albums of 2023”
Album Highlights from the First Half of 2023
Let’s look back on some highlight album releases from the months of January to June.
Jish’s Best Albums of 2022
I look back on a stuffed year’s music releases with the Best Albums of 2022.
The Utility Spot’s 25 Best Albums of 2021
2021 was a year filled with ups and downs. Society buoyed from bleakness to hopeful optimism, and back again. Amid all this, waves of new music were pushed out by artists and bands with the expectation of touring as things looked like returning to some semblance of normal. How did the music of 2021 holdContinue reading “The Utility Spot’s 25 Best Albums of 2021”
Red (Taylor’s Version) Is a Fan Service for Longtime Swifties That Can Smartly Reel in New Fans Too
There isn’t another Taylor Swift record that’s as universally adored by her fans than her fourth record Red. Though divisive among critics for its vast sonic range, Red is a Taylor Swift favourite among fans. The sad tone, and familiar themes of growing up and heartbreak have made Red a fall classic for Swifties these past nine years. It’s no surprise then that the announcement earlier this year of the re-recording of Red was met with intense fervor. Swift’s first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), was already met with love and adoration, but Fearless is no Red. No, Red is completely different gravy.
Donda (2021) – Kanye West
For an album with few bad songs, but a handful of “meh” songs, it shouldn’t be seen as bad as it is. But considering the hope there was for the tenth Kanye West album, the bad songs feel terrible, and the “meh” songs feel bad. Ultimately, Donda will go down in history as failing to live up to the expectations set by both Kanye West and his fans.
Solar Power (2021) – Lorde
Solar Power was advertised as a Summer record for 2021, and the lead single alluded to as much. However, there isn’t much bright Summer to be found on the record.
Jish’s July Album Rotation
Welcome to Jish’s Monthly Album Rotation. Four albums I’ve been listening to the previous month and my reviews of them. Some new, some old, some good, some bad. A mix of genres with some albums coming with tons of hype, and some that not as many people have heard of. Here is July 2021.
The Utility Spot 