Manchester Orchestra on 'Kimmel'

Watch Manchester Orchestra perform "The Alien" and "The Gold" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

QUICK SPINS

Tuelo – Saint Margaret EP

One of our more anticipated releases of 2017 has finally arrived as New York via South Africa singer Tuelo and her backing band, The Cousins, have put out their Saint Margaret EP. Following their 2014 debut, the world’s best singer delivers raw emotion, eager and infectious energy, as well as monstrous storytelling in their five-song EP. We have been pushing Tuelo quiet a bit over the years and this EP is a declaration as to why.

FINAL GRADE: A

Read Our 2016 Interview with Tuelo

JAY-Z – 4:44

On his 13^th studio album, Jay-Z returns with what his best work since 2003’s The Black Album as well as his most personal record to date. What has plagued Jay Z for over a decade, including on Watch the Throne, is that he has nothing to talk about. He has seen and done it all and has Beyonce to call his wife to prove it. Yet, on 4:44, he opens up about his mistakes, setbacks, personal problems, and trying to sustain a legacy outside of being Queen Bey’s husband. 4:44 is easily one of the year’s best and one of his best records of his illustrious career. The minimal production from No I.D. is also a gem because HOVA is forcing the listener to pay attention to what he has to say and what needs to be said. This isn’t a record to blast in the car but one to indulge in on a good pair of headphones and shut the world away.

FINAL GRADE: A

Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

Vince Staples fires back just two years after releasing his acclaimed and massive debut, Summertime ’06, the L.A. rapper is out to prove he is not just a flash in the pan. Big Fish Theory is Staples coming to terms with what he needs to do in order to be one of the biggest and best emcees in hip-hop. In doing so, he clearly achieves his goal.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Haim – Something to Tell You

The Haim sorority are back and they have something to tell you – sorry, we couldn’t help it. The sisters return with their sophomore album and after their fun in the sun 2014 debut, they bring the same style but better and mature lyrics to life in the spotlight and what they are yearning for in love, life, and each other.
FINAL GRADE: B+

The Kickback – Weddings & Funerals

One of the more interesting indie bands around, the Chicago outfit return with their sophomore LP and bring with them a mature style of both storytelling and production. With many fist in the air-like anthems, this might be the record that gives them the commercial edge they are craving.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Read Our 2015 Interview with The Kickback

Lady Leshurr – Mode EP

After a series of setbacks, the British rapper comes through with her latest EP. Using the same cadence and flow that got her recognized on her Queen Speech EP, Leshurr spits fire on all things going on in society and is ready for the spotlight to be on her.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Cigarettes After Sex

The debut album from the shoegaze band have arrived and is the best soundtrack to your life. The record is for coming home after a long night trying to find love or is the sound of making love. It is the ambient sound that you hear in your head as you try and recall the scenes of a good time or a bad one. This is a record for right now, put it on as you read this.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Broken Social Scene – Hug of Thunder

It has been seven years since Broken Social Scene have released a record and now with Hug of Thunder they strike back with the force fans have missed. The record is what fans would have hoped it would be and more. If you are a casual BSS fan or a hardcore supporter, this record will fit your expectations.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Arcade Fire – Everything Now

Arcade Fire return and use the deep electronic / calypso sound they mastered on Reflektor and bring it to Everything Now. Everything Now is a big sounding record and is one that will fill stadiums instead of the arenas and festival playgrounds the band are used to at this point. While it is chock full of energy and love, it does lack the depth that previous efforts the Canadian ensemble have put out. However, what it lacks in story, it makes up for in joy.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Listen To Our Essential Arcade Fire Playlist on Spotify! 

Rise Against – Wolves

The social Chicago punks return with a record that takes aim at our troubled times and in the era of Mango Mussolini, we needs bands like this now more than ever.

FINAL GRADE: B

Read Our 2014 Interview with Rise Against 

 

Shabazz Palaces – Quazararz: Born a Gangster Star / Quazararz vs. The Jealous Machines

One of the oddest, brilliant, and fascinating bands around released two records focusing on the same story on the same day. Shabazz Palaces give fans the quest of their fictional character Quazararz and the journey the personality faces through song. The duo venture through all types of genres like dub, hip-hip, grime, electro, shoegaze – both records are an exhausting but interesting journey through music and space.

FINAL GRADES: B

Goldie – The Journey Man

The trip-hop pioneer returns with his latest album, The Journey Man, and after eight years away from the scene, Goldie comes back in grand fashion. The Journey Man is not only a return to form, it is a lesson to new DJs and producers on how it is done. If you want to make music at his level – this is the blueprint.

FINAL GRADE: B

Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile to the Surface

Manchester Orchestra return with their fifth record and most mature to date. While they turned heads on their brilliant first two albums, A Black Mile to the Surface is the Georgia band finally hitting their stride and professionalism. It is an epic sounding LP with singer Andy Hull pushing himself as a songwriter and storyteller.

FINAL GRADE: B

Read Our 2012 Interview with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra 

Ani DiFranco – Binary

The influential singer/songwriter returns with more songs about what is wrong with society, what it means to be a woman in the 21^st century, and how to love the fuck out of yourself.

FINAL GRADE: B-

The Fall – New Facts Emerge

Mark E. Smith returns with his umpteenth album with his umpteenth album and showcases why he is still a British gem and why we all need to learn from him in a lesson on how not to give a shit about anything but what you love.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Lorde – Melodrama

While trying to recreate the massive success of her debut, Pure Heroine, and trying to also break the mold of what people expect from her, Lorde goes for the “safe” approach on her sophomore effort. Melodrama is a completely forgettable record that does not go anywhere controversial in terms of songwriting, sound, or production, and sticks to the 2017 pop playbook. Instead of separating herself from the crowd, Lorde unfortunately joins it.

FINAL GRADE: C

Listen to Our New Zealand Mixtape Featuring Lorde 

Rancid – Trouble Maker

Rancid are still going strong all these years but a new record from them doesn’t mean as much as it once did. The punk icons stick the same formula that has worked for nearly three decades and isn’t as memorable as it once was.

FINAL GRADE: D

Manchester Orchestra Announce New Album

Next month, Manchester Orchestra will release their new album, A Black Mile to the Surface. 

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below:

01 The Maze
02 The Gold
03 The Moth
04 Lead, SD
05 The Allen
06 The Sunshine
07 The Grocery
08 The Wolf
09 The Mistake
10 The Parts
11 The Silence

Quick News

Guided By Voices will release their new album, Please Be Honest, next month.

Action Bronson is currently on tour in Australia and promised as soon as he returns back to New York, he will work fulltime on his new mixtape, Blue Chips 7. He tweeted:

WHEN I GET BACK FROM AUSTRALIA ITS ON #BlueChips7

— FUCK THATS DELICIOUS (@ActionBronson) March 9, 2016

Manchester Orchestra have confirmed on Instagram that they are in the studio working on their fifth record:

We've been working on 5.

A photo posted by manchesterorchestra (@manchesterorchestra) on Mar 9, 2016 at 1:33pm PST

Bat For Lashes will release her new album, The Bride, in July. Take a look at the cover below:

Playlist

Take a look at January's 29-song playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Playlist

See October's 28-song Playlist and hear it / subscribe to it (and others) on Spotify!

Quick News

Manchester Orchestra surprised fans today with the release of their album, Hope, a companion piece and different interpretation to this year's fantastic album, Cope. Hope is currently on iTunes and will arrive physically in November.

Before James Mercer was in The Shins and Broken Bells, he was in a band called Flake Music and their 1992 debut, When You Land Here, It Is Time to Return is being reissued on vinyl and remastered. It will arrive in November.

Taking to social media, Rick Ross announced that his new album is called Hood Billionaire and that "it's coming." No release date was given. 

As we know Frank Ocean is in the studio working on his sophomore album, it has been confirmed that he is working with Hit Boy, Happy Perez, Charlie Gambetta, Kevin Ristro, and Rodney Jerkins. Still no word as to when the record will arrive.

Much like Frank Ocean, another star from 2012 working on his sophomore album is Kendrick Lamar. The rapper told Rolling Stone that fans can expect “aggression and emotion” on the next LP. No word as to when it will arrive, though, the interview was given in Rolling Stone's Fall Music Preview.

QUICK SPINS

The Hold Steady – Teeth Dreams

It has been four years since The Hold Steady released their last record, Heaven is Whenever, it marks the longest gap between Steady records ever. In that time, singer Craig Finn released a solo album, members of the band opened a bar in Brooklyn, but they kept playing and touring together. Now, with new material, The Hold Steady have given us Teeth Dreams, an album void of themes, characters, and concepts but still with the same heart as their previous releases. Teeth Dreams is signature Steady. Roaring riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and ripping pages right out of the headlines of your life, the Brooklyn band still knows how to craft your personal soundtrack. While Teeth Dreams does not measure up to what they have done in the past with their first four albums, it still makes a mark that can be loved and admired.

FINAL GRADE: A

Manchester Orchestra – Cope

The alternative Southern rockers return with their first album in three years and pack a punch not felt from them since their breakthrough 2009 epic, Mean Everything to Nothing. Now, on a major label – Republic Records, Manchester Orchestra have not held anything back, in fact, it feels like they want to impress their new home and mainstream crowd with a swift impact. Furious riffs, heavy musicianship, and singer Andy Hull’s lyrics are as on-point and personal as ever.

FINAL GRADE: A

Eagulls

There is a reason we named Eagulls our April Rising Artist, the reason is, they take everything we love about rock music and throw it together. With influences from Britpop and American garage rock, Eagulls debut has landed and is a record that needs to be heard and felt.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Bright Light Bright Light – I Wish We Were Leaving EP

Two years since his last studio LP, Rod Thomas aka Bright Light Bright Light comes back with what could be the EP of the year. With his usual catchy dance hooks that makes him a male Robyn, he returns with his idol in hand – Sir Elton John. Everyone knows Elton would not do anything to waste his audiences time, which is a testament to why I Wish We Were Leaving is so damn good. With just a handful of tracks it makes us beg Thomas for more.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Goldhouse – Back to Life EP

Chicago producer and beatmaker Goldhouse has been making a name for himself in the Windy City, now, it is his turn to do the same on a national and global scale. With the release of his major label debut EP, Back to Life, Goldhouse shows that the spirit of late Chicago DJ Frankie Knuckles is alive and well in the rising artist.

FINAL GRADE: B+

CHEMISTreset – Grind EP

New York City electro duo CHEMISTreset return with a brand new EP that bathes us in digital sounds and electronic stimulation that brings out the best in what this universe has to offer. A joyous lift into another world that is a sure fire way to brighten and inspire anyones ears.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Kimono Kult – Hiding in the Light EP

Former Mars Volta / At the Drive-in / Bosnian Rainbows guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez links up with his friend and musical companion former Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante and form a new group called Kimono Kult. While this band does not feature any of these guys on vocals but Bosnian Rainbows singer Teri Gender Bender which basically makes it a Rainbows EP. A chaotic but melodic listen and fans of everyone involved will enjoy.

FINAL GRADE: B

Tinariwen – Emmaar

The Sahara guitar collective, Tinariwen return with their latest record and bring with them more sounds from a part of the Earth that needs more musical exposure. Emmaar brings more blues, jazz, and native sounds than ever before from Tinariwen, and as usual, they bring along guests like Josh Klinghoffer, Fats Kaplin, Matt Sweeney, and Saul Williams, to gain momentum from audiences around the globe.

FINAL GRADE: B

Daley – Days and Night EP

British musician Daley returns with a new EP that takes more of his soul / R&B / pop combo to a new level just a mere months after releasing his latest album.

FINAL GRADE: B

Wye Oak – Shriek

Baltimore indie duo, Wye Oak return with their latest album that adds more ambient and blues to their sound. Shriek also has joyful and playful components to it that the band have never explored until now.

FINAL GRADE: B

Thomas Azier – Hylas

The debut album from British pop star Thomas Azier has finally come and it simply is a fun record that will make you want to move your ass.

FINAL GRADE: B

Ringo Deathstarr – God’s Dream EP

Texas shoe-gaze psychedelic wonderband Ringo Deathstarr return with a brand new EP that is chock full of the classic vibes and sounds that we have come to love about them over the years.

FINAL GRADE: B

Foster the People – Supermodel

Coming off the ultra success of Torches, it seems almost impossible for Foster the People to try and match that same success. The band’s follow-up, Supermodel, does not try to do what Torches did, but stands alone as it’s own record – as it should. The album is a concept record about the angst and dark side of pop culture, something clearly the band has seen and faced since “Pumped Up Kicks” was heard on every fucking radio around the world every five minutes. That being said, Foster The People return with a record that still showcases catchy pop but do it in an anti-pop fashion.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Kid Cudi – Satellite Flight: The Journey to the Mother Moon

Pulling a Beyonce, Kid Cudi released his surprise new album, Satellite Flight and while the alternative rapper has always pushed boundaries, and with this record, especially coming off the fantastic, Indicud, it falls a bit short. The album feels a bit rushed and forced, but still is part of the grand scheme of Cudi concept records and plays an pivotal role in his Man on the Moon series, with that next installment to be released next year.

FINAL GRADE: C

Rick Ross – Mastermind

Rick Ross returns with his sixth album, Mastermind, and the long awaited LP that many said would never arrive has come and falls flat. Even with guests like Jay Z, Jeezy, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Big Sean, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Diddy, Scarface, Sizzla, Mavado, and Z-Ro, the album feels forced, lazy, and boring.

FINAL GRADE: D

Manchester Orchestra on Letterman

Watch Manchester Orchestra perform the title track to their new album, Cope, on Letterman.

Quick News

Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are teaming up again with director David Fincher to score his new film, Gone Girl, which arrives later this year. This is the third time Fincher is using Reznor and Ross to score his films, the first was 2010's The Social Network, which won them an Oscar and 2011's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which got them an Golden Globe nomination.

Speaking of Reznor, his main band Nine Inch Nails will be collaborating with Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl, and Lindsay Buckingham to perform together at the Grammys on Sunday. Also added to the performances on the Grammys are Jay Z and Beyonce.

Now, speaking of Josh Homme, sort of, his side project from Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles Of Death Metal are working on a new album. He and Eagles partner Jesse Hughes are working on new songs, the bands first new music since 2009's Heart On.

Manchester Orchestra will release their new album, Cope, in April.

Schoolboy Q released the various album covers for his upcoming album, Oxymoron, which arrives next month. Take a look below:

Albums Coming in 2014

It is a new year, which means -- NEW MUSIC! We compiled a list that breaks down the first quarter of 2014 on what is coming and what we can hope to expect in the year to come. Take a look! 

January:

Tennis

Warpaint

Riff Raff – Neon Icon

Young the Giant

Mogwai

Dum Dum Girls

Step Brothers – Lord Steppington

The Lawrence Arms – Metropolis

Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Broken Bells – After the Disco

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Wig Out the Jagbags

Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes

February:

Beck - Morning Phase 

Black Submarines – New Shores

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Give the People What They Want 

Phantogram – Voices

Tinariwen – Emmarr

Guided By Voices – Motivational Jumpsuit

Lupe Fiasco

Phantogram – Voices

Bayside – Cult

St. Vincent

Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron

Katy B – Little Red

Cibo Matto – Hotel Valentine

Crosses – ttt

Glitch Mob – Love Death Immortality

March:

I Am The Avalanche

Metronomy – Love Letters

Morning Parade

The Men – Tomorrow’s Hits

Blood Red Shoes

Kaiser Chiefs – Education, Education, Education, & War

Band of Skulls – Himalaya

Maximo Park – Too Much Information

Imogen Heap – Sparks

Black Lips – Under the Rainbow

Johnny Cash – Out Among The Stars

Biblical – Monsoon Season

April:

OFF!

Saints of Valory

U2

Kelis – Food

EMA – The Futures Void

 Other albums that are expected to arrive in 2014. All of these records are subject to change: 

-       Dr. Dre

-       The Fall

-       Dead Weather

-       Black Keys

-       The Heartbreaks

-       Action Bronson

-       Elbow

-       Big Talk

-       Brandon Flowers

-       Body Count

-       Big Talk

-       Lily Allen

-       Manic Street Preachers

-       Roger Waters

-       Tool

-       Blur

-       Stone Roses

-       The Hold Steady

-       Brian Fallon

-       The Vaccines

-       D’Angelo

-       Blondie

-       The Horrors

-       Raekwon – F.I.L.A.

-       Slipknot

-       Metallica

-       Solange

-       Adele

-       Duran Duran

-       Nas

-       Q-Tip – The Last Zulu

-       Guns ‘N Roses

-       Rise Against

-       Bombay Bicyle Club

-       Iggy Azelia

-       Azelia Banks

-       Manchester Orchestra

-       Peace

-       Grimes

-       The Maccabees

-       The Roots

-       Rihanna

-       Slayer

-       Modest Mouse

-       Wu-Tang Clan – A Better Tomorrow

-       Method Man & Redman – Blackout 3

-       Clipse

-       Joey Bada$$

-       Jay Electronica

-       RZA

-       Roc Marciano & The Alchemist

-       Flying Lotus

-       Damon Albarn

-       Run the Jewels 2

-       Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music

-       GZA – Dark Matter

-       Captain Murphy - V

-   Inspectah Deck, 7L, Esoteric - Czarface 2 

Quick News

Manchester Orchestra have confirmed they have begun pre-production on their new album.

Lamb of God front man Randy Blythe has been acquitted of manslaughter charges he was facing in Czech Republic. Blythe was accused of fatally injuring a fan during a concert in Prague in 2009.

After The National did it last year, The Hold Steady are recording a song for the epic HBO series, Game of Thrones. The band will record a song called "The Bear & Maiden Fair," which features the author of the Game of Thrones books, George R.R. Martin's, lyrics.

Speaking to The Sun, Dave Grohl had revealed he wanted Weezer and Barry Manilow as part of his Sound City Players and to be apart of his documentary, Sound City. He said, "I was this fucking close to getting them on a record. I thought it was going to happen, it would’ve been fucking huge. He (Manilow) was the first person who said he’d do it but was the last we tracked down. And we had to fly to fucking Hawaii."

Speaking to a crowd at an LA concert over the weekend, Method Man has confirmed that a 20th anniversary Wu-Tang Clan record is coming this year. In related news, Wu member Ghostface Killa is set to release a comic book as part of his new album, 12 Ways to Die. The comic will further the concept of the albums story.

Snoop Dogg, not Snoop Lion this time, will be featured in his very own video game. The game, Way of the Dogg, will be a Kung-Fu fighting game available for all game consoles. It will be out later this year.

Rapper Murs and his new group, The White Mandignos will release their debut, The Ghetto is Tryna Kill Me on June 11.

Smith Westerns will release their new album, Soft Will in June. Take a look at the tracklisting below:
'3am Spiritual'
'Idol'
'Glossed'
'XXIII'
'Fool Proof'
'White Oath'
'Only Natural'
'Best Friend'
'Cheer Up'
'Varsity'

QUICK SPINS

Titus Andronicus – Local Business

New Jersey’s blue-collar punks return for their third album and brand new line-up and a beardless front man. After channeling The Ramones, Fugazi, The Replacements, and Jersey hardcore, Titus Andronicus comeback for a cleaner and much more introspective album. Singer Patrick Stickles, who has referenced pop culture and The Civil War on the bands prior records, now digs deep within himself to pull out his most intimate and personal lyrics. While looking in, the band also go and look up to fellow Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen now than ever before and even hints of The Clash peak through on Local Business.

FINAL GRADE: A-

The Chevin – Boarderland

From the ashes of Your Vegas come a band whose sound, style and bravado will knock you to your knees. Boarderland is the impressive debut from English band, The Chevin, who feature members of Your Vegas and bring stadium style anthems and prove they are already to headline festivals and massive venues. The Chevin are a band whose sound is as ambitious as U2, as driving as Oasis and as heartfelt as a Springsteen ballad.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Metz

Very few bands these days would make anyone stop and say, “Kurt Cobain would have loved this band,” Canada’s Metz are one of those bands that would have made the son of Grunge fall in love with one of today’s rising stars. Metz are fuzzy and aggressive garage rock mixed with a post-hardcore attitude.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind

The eighth album from Salem, Massachusetts, mathcore heroes is just as brutal, intense and volatile as anything they have ever released, however, unlike their prior efforts, Converge demonstrate you can still have a lot of heart making some of the most brutal and bone crushing music around.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Swedish House Mafia – Until Now

It is sad to think that this is allegedly the final Swedish House Mafia record, with two albums under their belt, the superstar DJ’s changed the face of EDM forever and give a fantastic swan song.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Coheed & Cambria – The Aftermath: Ascension

The New York prog outfit return for more stories and more technical brilliant on The Aftermath: Ascension, the first part of a two-part album series that continues singer Claudio Sanchez’s complex and ever-evolving story of fictional characters.

FINAL GRADE: B+

The D.O.T. – And That

The debut collaboration from The Streets Mike Skinner and former Music singer, Rob Harvey’s hears fantastic production and solid beats over Harvey’s one-of-a-kind vocal skills. While this union has happened in the past, thanks to prior Streets records, now, a full album will please and feed the void of fans from both of these bands.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Ben Gibbard – Former Lives

The debut solo record from indie rocks favorite poster boy would have fans expect him to sing about his ex-wife, Zoey Deschanel, however, none of the song seem to be that way. Gibbard takes his personal pain and hides it in pop songs and not very creative tunes. We know what Gibbard can do thanks to Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service and The American Analogue Set, but Former Lives is catchy yet is lacking his passion.

FINAL GRADE: B

Bad Books – Bad Books II

Members of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine return for another folk/rock album of intricate lyrics, solid playing and rousing entertainment.

FINAL GRADE: B

Ultraista

Iconic producer Nigel Goodrich (Radiohead, Beck), steps away from the production booth and into the limelight for his first time fronting a band. Featuring members of some of the bands he was produced over the years, Goodrich’s Ultraista is a sonic pleasure of electronic and ambient surprises and slick style.

FINAL GRADE: B

Ringo Deathstarr – Mauve

Ringo Deathstarr stole our attention last year with their fantastic album, Colour Trip, which had us jumping for joy with their punk infused British Cold Wave influence. On their second record,  Mauve, Ringo Deathstarr serve up more of the same but it seems less inspired than their debut, however worth at least one listen.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Deadmaus - >Album Title Goes Here<

The Maus is back in the house. EDM’s posterboy returns with his new album that features a hefty line of collaborations from Gerard Way,  Cypress Hill, Imogean Heap, but unlike his prior efforts, this record does not do much to hold our attention. It could possibly be do to his lack of concentration making the record thanks to his relentless touring schedule, but at least a new album gives him an excuse to tour.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Pet Shop Boys – Elysium

The New Wave pioneers are back for their 11^th studio record and while their return is very welcome, they do their best to stay current but have an issue of sticking to the foundation of what sustained their popularity over the years.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Skunk Anansie – Black Traffic

The industrial inspired Britrock band return but their arrival hears a band whose best days are far behind them and out of sight. Nearly a majority of Black Traffic is a generic rock album with some electronic hooks thrown in and wash, rise, repeat.

FINAL GRADE: C

No Doubt – Push and Shove

No Doubt return with their first new album in over a decade and if this is their best result, maybe it was best that they were retired from the scene. Push and Shove hears a band trying their absolute hardest to stay current and play catch-up on all the years gone by. Unfortunately for No Doubt, it no doubt would have been a brilliant thing to just be themselves and not try and push and shove their way into 2012’s mainstream

FINAL GRADE: C

Nelly Furtado – The Spirit Indestructible

The Portuguese Canadian hit-maker of the early Naughties returns with a new record of decent beats but terrible lyrical flow and style. Much like No Doubt, what would have made Furtado’s comeback special was if she did not sound like every contemporary artist these days and focuses on being herself. Furtado is not a rapper, so why is she trying to rap? She is not a rave singer, so why is she focusing a lot of attention on EDM. What made her 2006 release, Loose, so amazing was that she took things that inspired her and channeled that into a brilliant record, not trying to copy everyone popular these days. What is next, she forms a girl group to rival One Direction?

FINAL GRADE: C-

YokoKimThurston

The debut album from Yoko Ono and Sonic Youth members Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore is a disjointed, quagmire of a mess. It basically plays out as three brilliant minds trying to out do each other as to who can be stranger.

FINAL GRADE: D

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Part 1

Lupe Fiasco was one of hip-hops promising young talents when he emerged nearly a six years ago. Yet, after releasing his much anticipated Lasers album last year to deaf ears, Chicago’s favorite son decided to return to the record that put him on the map and create a sequel to his brilliant 2006 debut – Food & Liquor. Yet, our advice to him is “Do not touch a classic,” the follow-up to Food & Liquor II is one of hip-hops most generic, redundant, uninspired, albums of the year. In fact, for a record to be called “The Great American Rap Album” he directly steals bites and flows from British rappers The Streets and Dizze Rascal – did he not think anyone would pay attention?! What makes an already awful album worse, if it could get like that, is the fact that this is the first of two installments.

FINAL GRADE: F