I've been extremely busy with NFL-related pieces recently and as a result, my music review output has suffered .To make up for that prolonged period of inactivity, here are some quick thoughts on four releases I didn't have time to write a full review for over the past few weeks.
A Day to Remember-Bad Vibrations: Rejoice A Day to Remember fans, 2013's Common Courtesy was not just a reactionary blast of rage stemming from their messy breakup with Victory Records. Their latest record, Bad Vibrations, confirms that the angrier version of A Day to Remember is here to stay and that commitment to the heavier side of their sound allows this record to be one of the standouts in their extensive discography. Bad Vibrations features the same breakdown and pop punk-hook heavy formula as Common Courtesy, but the sheer strength of the songwriting and expansion
of vocalist Jeremy McKinnon's range prevents this from feeling like a complete retread.
Bad Vibrations is further proof that going the independent route was exactly what A Day to Remember needed to rediscover the fire they lost during the Homesick and What Separates Me From You-era.
3.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks: 1.Paranoia 2.Exposed 3.Turn off the Radio
Norma Jean-Polar Similar: After slumping through most of the past decade, Norma Jean has unexpectedly returned to form with Polar Similar. Polar Similar is easily the most chaotic and focused record that the Christian metalcore group has recorded since founding vocalist Josh Scogin (The Chariot, '68) left the band in 2002. The explosive presence of vocalist Corey Putman and the constantly shifting riffing from lead guitarist Jeff Hickey helps establish the type of unrelenting, punishing atmosphere that math/metalcore enthusiasts salivate over. The dull, ill-conceived melodic material ("Reaction", "A Thousand Years a Minute", the second half of "IV: The Nexus") and the multiple white-noise interludes ("II: The People", "III: The Nebula") kill a decent amount of the momentum built up by the heavier tracks, but Polar Similar is still a very pleasant surprise from a group that appeared to have gone creatively bankrupt a long time ago.
3.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks 1.An Ocean of War 2.Everyone Talking Over Everyone Else 3.Synthetic Sun
Vince Staples-Prima Donna: West coast hip-hop phenom Vince Staples continues his impressive run of excellence with his latest EP Prima Donna. Over 7 tracks that last just under 22 minutes, Staples tells the fictional story of an ex-gang banger who makes it big as a rapper and eventually commits suicide after he realizes fame can't put a stop to his internal pain. The minimal, abrasive production from frequent collaborators James Blake, No I.D. and DJ Dahi perfectly fits the album's bleak tone and Staples' gritty, venom-filled rapping style makes the deep rage and emotional trauma of the record's narrative feel terrifyingly real for the listener. It never quite matches the soaring heights of Summertime '06 and Hell Can Wait, but Primma Donna once again displays the ambition, ferocity and intelligence that has made Staples one of the most buzzed-about artists in modern hip-hop.
3.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks: 1.Loco (feat. Kilo Kish) 2.Pimp Hand 3.War Ready
Young Thug-Jeffrey: My relationship with Young Thug's music is bizarre to say the least. On the one hand, his complete and utter disregard for enunciating his words and signature high-pitched squawk makes him obnoxious and difficult to listen to. On the other hand, his off-kilter production choices and massive, unique personality is more than enough to consider him one of the most interesting artists in hip-hop right now. His most recent mixtape, Jeffrey, is the first of his projects where the positive aspects of his sound outweigh the negatives. While the slower-paced tracks ("Floyd Mayweather", "RiRi", "Guwop") are still a bad fit for his eccentric style and his incomprehensible vocals are as grating as ever at times ("Webbie", the aforementioned "RiRi"), tracks like "Harambe", "Future Shit", "Swizz Beatz" and "Wyclef Jean" are some of the most unique, hilarious and catchy hip-hop tracks I've heard in 2016. He's still got a long to way go before I fully embrace his work, but Thugga shows enough flashes of inspiration and wit on Jeffrey to make me optimistic about his future projects.
3/5 Stars
Standout Tracks: 1.Harambe 2.Future Shit 3.Swizz Beatz
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