meltreviewsblog

Album Review: Blood Orange – Negro Swan

37520383_1894189347308114_4128736707136716800_n

Artist: Blood Orange

Album: Negro Swan

Genre: R&B/Alternative R&B/Alternative Pop

Rating: 8/10

“You asked me what family is and I think of family as community. I think of the spaces where you don’t have to shrink yourself. Where you don’t have to pretend or to perform. You can fully show up and be vulnerable and in silence, completely empty and that’s completely enough. You show up, as you are, without judgment, without ridicule, without fear or violence, or policing, or containment, and you can be there and you’re filled all the way up, so we get to choose our families. We are not limited by biology. We get to make ourselves and we get to make our families.” Powerful words from Janet Mock, a transgender rights activist who provides frequent thought provoking narration on Dev Hynes’ fourth album under the “Blood Orange” moniker. The album is titled Negro Swan, and it is described by Hynes himself as “an exploration into my own and many types of black depression, an honest look at the corners of black existence, and the ongoing anxieties of queer/people of color. A reach back into childhood and modern traumas, and the things we do to get through it all. The underlying thread through each piece on the album is the idea of hope, and the lights we can try to turn on within ourselves with a hopefully positive outcome of helping others out of their darkness.” Considering how much of a talented producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Hynes is, the execution of this idea is unsurprisingly near perfection. Reiterating what Janet Mock said in the aforementioned quote, the idea of finding your own family and community where you’re truly at peace with yourself is the overall message in this album that explores the dark subject of being involuntarily cast as an outsider in order to find the light at the end of the tunnel. “After school, sucker punched down. Down and out. First kiss was the floor.” Sings Hynes on the album’s Marvin Gaye inspired opening track “Orlando,” a smooth Funk heavy track that comfortably welcomes the listener to the album despite it’s unhappy subject matter, but the understanding that things won’t be easy when your natural self just so happens to go against unfair societal norms leads to this album’s uplifting and encouraging nature. To accompany the album’s deep subject matter, Hynes utilizes his impressive ear for melody to produce instrumentation rich in lush vocal melodies, Funk filled bass lines, bouncy synths, dreamy guitars, and frequent infectious flute arrangements that will make anyone swoon. He even invites numerous musicians to contribute like on the track “Hope” which features gorgeous lead vocals from Tei Shi and a vulnerable Puff Daddy, a side of him we don’t normally see. A$AP Rocky and Project Pat add a powerful but laid back punch to the track “Chewing Gum,” and Steve Lacy provides synths on the Prince evoking track “Out of Your League.” The combination of all of this leads to an “R&B” odyssey that isn’t afraid to experiment, and instead of being preachy, this album explores vulnerability in order to reach a point of self-acceptance, and it does so while creating feel good tunes. This album creates the community and family Janet Mock describes on “Family,” and this is a place where we’re all free from judgement.

Written By: Steven Sandoval

Date: 08/26/18

Tropical Fuck Storm and Liars Announce New Split 7″

39917127_10156999772994245_853373584687497216_n

Australian band “Tropical Fuck Storm” released one of the year’s most enthralling and deliciously bizarre albums back in May, and now the band have teamed up with Experimental legends “Liars” to release a split 7″ titled LAMC No. 18, which will be released on September 28th. This will be part of Famous Class’ Less Artists More Condos series, with all proceeds donated to the ACLU. You can listen to the new “Tropical Fuck Storm” track “The Happiest Guy Around,” as well as pre-order the 7″ below:

https://famousclass.bandcamp.com/album/lamc-18

Street Sects Announce New Album “The Kicking Mule”

39557983_1251562831648368_5526900075546017792_n

Austin, Texas based “Industrial” duo “Street Sects” have made quite the name for themselves. Releasing a myriad of EP’s and singles, and one full length album, “Street Sects” have quickly forced their way to the forefront of modern “Industrial” music with their abrasive and chaotic style, and now the band have announced that they will release their second full length LP The Kicking Mule on October 26th. The band have also released a new single from the upcoming album titled “In For a World of Hurt.” You can listen to the new track, as well as pre-order the album below:

The Kicking Mule Pre-order:

http://theflenser.com/streetsects/

Album Review: Mitski – Be the Cowboy

39261683_2085276514836909_195294087094468608_n

Artist: Mitski

Album: Be the Cowboy

Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative Rock

Rating: 8/10

It’s no secret that much of Mitski’s music is melancholy and tear-jerkingly sad, but the incredibly talented New York based musician does not want your pity. Singing with incredible passion, it’s hard not to assume that all of her music is autobiographical, but before going into her music one must understand that she is creating scenarios and maybe fictional characters, singing from the perspective of someone who has to go through these situations that are often dark and tap into a melancholy state of mind. That isn’t to say there isn’t truth behind these songs. Her last album Puberty 2 was an experience of immense fervor and music that frequently shifted from raw guitar-oriented “Rock” to bare “Indie Folk,” and lyrically it was hard to differentiate what was autobiographical from what was fiction, but you know what? That’s one of the many reasons why she is a beautiful songwriter. Her new album Be the Cowboy could have been another Puberty 2, and yes much of the melancholy vibes from that album drive this new album as well, but this time around the delivery and combination of infectious instrumentation and passionate vocals are near perfection. With lyrical themes that dwell in the more obsessive or co-dependent nature of being in a relationship or experiencing a breakup, this music can resonate with everyone, because we’ve all had to deal with the realization that romance isn’t all sunshine and kisses like the movies and love songs will have you believe, but instead of sounding bitter, Mitski uses this realization to meditate and to raise awareness on how unhealthy it is to lose your identity in someone else. However she is in by no means being preachy. She like many of us succumbs to the common unhealthy traits of our love hungry hearts. Traits like blaming the other person for a failed relationship like on the track “Why didn’t you stop me?” being afraid to let go of a previous lover even when you’re in a new relationship like on the track “Old Friend,” and the feeling of wanting to project an image of success and happiness to an ex, only to realize that the fact that you’re doing all of that just to prove independence to this person shows that they’re still very much on your mind like the track “Lonesome Love.” She is very much aware of our many flaws, and if this album has a central theme it would be realization. Many of us want to be remembered and can’t deal with the fact that we’re insignificant when it comes to the bigger picture of this world, she realizes that on the track “Remember My Name.” Many of us seek importance and flattery someone else can give us, she realizes this on the track “A Pearl,” and as much as this album focuses on our unhealthy traits, Mitski manages to prevent this album from being a real downer. The upbeat and light melodies of many of the instrumentation contrasts the lyrical content quite well. It’s almost as if she’s accepting of the fact that we are all co-dependent beings. It’s almost as if she’s celebrating these flaws. Finding beauty in this unhappiness, because she doesn’t have the answers. She’s merely projecting these feelings that can resonate with us all, and the loneliness anthem “Nobody” with it’s upbeat Disco-driven style is the album’s most shining moment that encourages us all to learn to live with ourselves and be comfortable with the fact that there are going to be a lot of situations where we’re going to be alone, and that’s okay. Mitski may seem like she’s on a mission to encourage us all to rid ourselves of our many toxic characteristics, but she’s simply spotlighting her own experiences of love, loss, and loneliness to tell a story or to therapize herself, and the music is all so relatable that it can help many get through tough times, it can even save a life. Mitski has proven herself to be one of the most important songwriters today.

Written By: Steven Sandoval

Date: 08/19/18

Album Review: Denzel Curry – TA13OO

79FB3FB7-25BC-420E-8749-0D0FB80439FD

Artist: Denzel Curry

Album: TA13OO

Genre: Hip Hop

Rating: 8/10

The human mind is far from being one dimensional, so why should music be? Florida rapper Denzel Curry realizes this. While his more popular contemporaries spotlight one emotion out of the myriad of emotions contained in the human psyche, Curry made it his mission to explore all sides of the human mind on his new album TA13OO, no matter how dark or light, and he definitely has the versatility to do so. The roll-out for TA13OO found the album being released in three different acts. “Act 1” is dubbed “Light,” “Act 2” is “Grey”, and “Act 3” is “Dark.” Of course at some point you’re going to have to listen to this album in it’s entirety, and impressively enough the album never feels too incohesive despite it’s constantly shifting moods. How does this work? Well, the glue that holds it all together is the understanding of dichotomy. That dichotomy is right away presented to us on the opening track “TA13OO.” Seeing as how this track opens the “Light” section, the instrumental is fittingly laid back, dreamy, and hopeful, but Curry’s first line confuses the listener as he sings “Welcome to the darker side of taboo.” This contrasts the light instrumental quite well and may represent to us how even in our happier or hopeful moments there’s always that feeling of self-doubt or fear. No matter how minuscule the negative may be during large bursts of happiness and contentment, it’s still there. The personification of “taboo” on the track can be confusing, but it’s appropriate. After all, what’s more identifiable to a human being than another human being? The following track “BLACK BALLOONS” follows the same light and dreamy vibes of the previous track, and it’s heavily inspired by Stephen King’s “IT” with it’s references to floating balloons, and with an exceptional verse from GoldLink and smooth backing vocals from Twelve’len, this track is definitely a highlight. The track “CASH MANIAC” is a smooth banger laden with 80’s synths and a heavy “P-Funk” sound. Coming from the point of view of a hungry rapper seeking out cash and overcoming the hardships thrown at him, it informs the listener that they’re on their way to the “Grey” part, a part that finds Curry celebrating success, and with a track like “SUMO,” a “Trap Heavy” banger where Curry aggressively flexes, it transitions perfectly into the “Grey.” The “Grey” section is where the “Trap” heavy bangers kick in with Curry’s signature hype flow. On the surface some of these tracks don’t sound too far from your mainstream “Trap Rap” favorites. They’ve got the high hats, the bass heavy kicks, the catchy hooks, and the quotable ad-libs the mainstream usually gravitates to, but the ingredient these tracks have that most others don’t is quality lyrical content and wordplay. Even when you delve into the lyrics the underlying meanings will at first be buried under the clever Pop culture references and flexing. With a track like “SWITCH IT UP,” the bi polar feelings and shifting moods reflect how even at our most successful or wealthiest, our moods still constantly change, and as the the “Grey” section gets progressively melancholy with tracks like the socially aware “SIRENS” featuring a spectacular J.I.D. verse, and the gut-wrenching “CLOUT COBAIN” with it’s heavy themes of depression and pressure the media puts on entertainers, we follow the album’s descent into darkness. The “Dark” section is…. you guessed it! Dark. The production is meaner and moodier, and Curry lets loose with an all out aggressive flow. It’s violent and braggadocios, and while the “Grey” section was a melancholy kind of dark towards the end, the “Dark” section finds Curry delivering aggression. It even begins with the hook “Feels like a Horror movie” on the track “THE BLACKEST BALLOON.” The track “PERCS” is a comment on the drug Rap culture and how Curry refuses to succumb to it’s dominance, detailing how his goals are to innovate and push the boundaries in Hip Hop. He has succeeded at that. With the final tracks “VENGEANCE” featuring a killer JPEGMAFIA verse that will make you once again say “Daaaaaamn Peggy,” and the balls out aggression of “BLACK METAL TERRORIST,” the album ends in the darkest way possible, which was Curry’s plan. It was a bold move doing this, considering how most albums or movies leave people with a happy ending, or how most albums begin with the hype tracks and then transition into the more introspective, but the idea that not all things end in the light, and how some things get progressively darker is something Curry wanted to spotlight, and it works, because if you restart the album it seamlessly flows right back into the light, representing the never ending cycle of moods we go through while we’re alive. Denzel Curry is one of the few rappers today who can make an album this dense and conceptual, and it’s truly incredible how he can touch on darker subjects without straying away from accessibility. This album is proof that you can be catchy and innovative at the same time. Take notes people.

Written By: Steven Sandoval

Date: 07/31/18

Protomartyr and Spray Paint Announce Collaborative Split Single

0295584D-3DEA-4E35-8653-0E7588F67824

“Protomartyr” and “Spray Paint” have been friends as far back as 2013 when the two bands toured together. It was then where the two bands came up with the idea to collaborate. Now that idea has come to fruition. The two will release a collaborative 7” Single on August 17th titled Irony Prompts The Party Rat. Side A will feature lead singer of “Protomartyr” Joe Casey on vocals while “Spray Paint” provides the instrumentals, and Side B will feature “Spray Paint” on vocals while “Protomartyr” provides the instrumentals. You can pre-order the 7” as well as listen to Side A below:

http://monofonuspress.com/store/protomartyr-spray-paint

BROCKHAMPTON Release New Song “1997 DIANA”

1532657394_68c740713bafcabe8f1b3c33bb3bdb4a

“BROCKHAMPTON” have been dropping banger after banger in recent weeks, and their new track “1997 DIANA” is no exception. Accompanied with a music video containing the group’s signature off the wall energy, “1997 DIANA” might be the group’s best single of the year by far, even though it is their shortest. You can watch the music video below:

ADULT. Announce New Album, Share New Song “Perversions of Humankind”

37941718_1848940348485495_1065517674592731136_n

As overlooked as “Electronic” duo “ADULT.” may be, there’s no denying the fact that they consistently release forward thinking and enigmatic music. It’s at a point now where simply labeling them “Electronic” doesn’t do the duo’s uncompromising sound justice. Following their ambitious collaboration heavy album Detroit House Guests, the Detroit duo will release a new album on September 7th titled This Behavior through “Dais Records.” They have also shared a brand new track off the album titled “Perversions of Humankind,” as well as a music video to accompany it. You can watch the music video, pre-order the new album, and check out upcoming tour dates below:

This Behavior Pre-order:

ADULT

ADULT. Tour Dates:

37850629_10155404921920800_4837724804276551680_n

37851239_10155404922130800_4090261720084250624_n

BROCKHAMPTON Release New Song “1998 TRUMAN”

394CA16B-41A7-42BB-AF2B-314ACFE289B4

Last night “BROCKHAMPTON” released the second episode of their Things We Lost In The Fire radio show on Apple Music, and like the previous episode, the group released a brand new track along with it. Following “1999 WILDFIRE,” their new track “1998 TRUMAN” is a bit zanier and a lot more high energy than the preceding track. Still no word on whether or not these tracks will appear on their upcoming album The Best Years Of Our Lives, or when that album will even be released, but it’s clear that “BROCKHAMPTON” will continue to release new music throughout the Summer. You can listen to “1998 TRUMAN” below:

Denzel Curry Announces Release Date For Upcoming Album “TA13OO,” Drops Music Video For New Track “ClOUT CO13AIN”

37040393_2053752104697428_7596979560944500736_n

Denzel Curry has finally unveiled the release date for his upcoming album TA13OO, and it will drop on not only one, but three days. The album will be released in three different acts on July 25th, 26th, and 27th. The Florida rapper has also shared a new music video for a new track off the album titled “CLOUT CO13AIN,” and it depicts the issues some artists have having to constantly entertain and dealing with depression while the whole world watches. You can watch the video as well as check out TA13OO‘s tracklist below:

TA13OO Tracklist:

Act I. Light

1. Taboo Ta13oo
2. Black Baloons 13LACK 13ALLOONZ (feat. Twelve’len & Goldlnk)
3. Cash Maniac CAZH MAN1AC (feat. NYYJERIA)
4. Sumo Zumo

Act II. Gray

5. Super Saiyan Superman Zuper Za1yan Zuperman
6. Switch It Up Zwitch 1T Up
7. Mas I Got It MAD 1 GOT 1T
8. SIRENS Z1RENZ (feat. J.I.D)
9. Clout Cobain Clout Co13a1n

Act III. Dark

10. The Blackest Balloon the 13LACKEZT 13Alloon
11. Perc Percz
12. VENGEANCE – VENGEANCE (feat. Zillakami & JPEGMAFIA)
13. Black Metal Terrorist – 13MT