Avril Lavigne – Love Sux, to be released: February 25th Photo Credit: DTA Records Her most recent videos suggest that pop-punk’s princess hasn’t aged a day in twenty years, and the recent songs themselves also imply that she’s having just as much fun as ever, too. John Mellencamp – Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, released: January… Read more
The Weekend – Dawn FM, released: January 7th Photo Credit: Courtesy Republic Records The Weeknd always brings some heat whether that is with his own projects or even as a feature. His latest release, Dawn FM, is loaded with perfect pop moments, and the album’s seamless, radio-inspired hits make Dawn FM an instant classic. Gunna – DS4ever, released: January… Read more
Black Country, New Road – Ants from Up There, to be released: February 4th Photo Credit: Rosie Foster With their bold, modern take on post-punk and jazz, English seven-piece Black Country, New Road built an instant – and fervent – cult following with their 2021 debut For the First Time. Barely a year out from that… Read more
Charli XCX – CRASH, to be released: March 18th Photo Credit: Emily Lipson So, how is Charli XCX feeling now that her record deal is on its last leg and she’s out of quarantine (at least for now, as far as I’m concerned)? Pretty cool, pretty reflective, and pretty hungry it seems, considering the vibe… Read more
#10. Lil Nas X – ‘Montero’ Lil Nas X is a one in a million kind of artist, in that he elevates the game for everyone whether you like him or not. Tracks like “Montero (Call Me By My Name” and “Scoop” featuring Ms. Doja Cat show us why Lil Nas X is here to… Read more
#10. Amyl & The Sniffers – ‘Comfort to Me’ Amyl and her boys can do no wrong in my eyes. These 21st-century sharpie delinquents make music to crack 40’s and have a drink, even if you don’t do that anymore. Comfort to Me, The Sniffer’s second full-length album, shows some growth from their debut, touches a… Read more
*Honorable Mentions*: Lord Huron– ‘Long Lost’ // The Weather Station– ‘Ignorance’ // IDLES –‘CRAWLER’ // Arlo Parks – ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams‘ // Genesis Owusu – ‘Smiling With No Teeth’ // Mdou Moctar – ‘Afrique Victime‘ // Billie Eilish – ‘Happier Than Ever‘ & Doja Cat – ‘Planet Her‘ #10. Silk Sonic – ‘An Evening with… Read more
#10. H.E.R. – ‘Back of my Mind’ R&B vocalist, rapper, and guitar virtuoso are not a trio of hats which are typically worn on the same head, at least not until Back of My Mind, the spectacular twenty-track debut album by Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, better known as H.E.R. (that’s pronounced “her” – make note of that, as… Read more
#10. Sam Fender – ‘Seventeen Going Under’ Much of Sam Fender’s first album was inspired by discussions the Geordie singer had at the bar, but when lockdown made that impossible, he was forced to look inwards. As a result, the politicking of his first album is largely (though not entirely) replaced by an introspective look… Read more
We are heading toward the end of 2021 and it has been…real. As Shakespeare said, “If music be the food of love, play on.” The following records have kept our bellies full and our hearts pumping. Listen in hopes of better times. In no particular order, here are our top ten rock albums of the… Read more