Kendrick Lamar – GNX [PG Lang/Interscope 2024]
In the age of the bro-cast having enough political weight to help determine elections it should be noted that despite how funny his A-minor line was, it’s the history lesson about Atlanta that actually held water. Now we’re left with a west coast victory lap where he’s never sounded so bouncy, angry, petty, under-thought, and masculine. Kinda like Drake. 3.1/5
(“Dodger Blue”, “Squabble Up”)
Soccer Mommy – Evergreen [Loma Vista 2024]
Grief this time instead of just a navel gazey depression with some actual angst to it but still no teeth or bump (or specificity). I think the sounds are a bit cooler though. 3.4/5
Soccer Mommy – Clean [Loma Vista 2018]
The reason everything she’s put out since 2020 has disappointed me over and over is because of what a slam dunk Clean is. I think in no small part the reasons why are not because she was younger or anything superficial like that but because: 1. She had an actual backing band who were allowed to contribute bass lines and guitar leads which means other and sometimes better ideas worked their way through. 2. This delegation of responsibility allowed her to focus on more evocative song structure including the lyrics which have a fairytale meets high school throughline that splits the difference between early Taylor Swift and earlier Liz Phair. 3. Her vocals are mostly untreated which adds not just an earnestness but a vulnerability that lives in her songs even when she’s spewing vitriol. 4. The topic is insecurity which allows for a relatability in its frustration instead of depression which manifested for her after this as slower songs and rumination about nothing. I love the fact that the hooks are everywhere on the singles and she even picks the tempo up on the deep cuts (looking at you “Last Girl”). But I think the best part is how world conquering “Wildflowers” sounds because she finally manages to bed the guy she was chasing after and it doesn’t feel unstable. 4.4/5
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet [Island 2024]
Another Disney channel Swift-ling gets her big break this year representing a slice of girlie pop fans who are heterosexual, decently funny, and stimulated I guess. Have you heard that she’s horny? Boy I sure have. Also thinner in substance than her contemporaries. 3.6/5
JPEGMAFIA – Veteran [Peggy/Deathbomb Arc 2018]
Barrington Hendricks has bars unlike many in his cohort but no real hooks to go along with his Black 4chan-er schtick and while abrasive can work wonders it needs relief. 3.0/5
(“Baby I’m Bleeding”, “1539 N. Calvert”)
Cosmic Hero 