Glossy Stuff But Mostly Mediocre

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 …

People seem to have forgotten that, at its core, politics is predicated on the quid pro quo of the official and the constituent. “I give you power, you give me beneficial policy”. If no policy ever gets passed you get cynicism.

Illuminati Hotties – Power [Hopeless 2024] More difficult because it subverts expectations, Sarah Tudzin’s follow-up to her breakthrough is also much quieter and more ruminative. Her mother’s death, the subsequent workaholism that arose as a form of denial, and her (now) wife’s ability to change Tudzin’s life by slowing down and not putting up with …

Honestly finally getting this off my laptop and onto the blog is a release akin to finally pooping after a vacation

Yard Act – Where’s My Utopia? [Universal 2024] While in America the default sound for rock bands post-Nirvana has been to filter all you can through an alternative lense and hope you’re catchy enough to have a hit, the Brits have had a clear lineage of post-punk fueling them after the Britpop bubble burst in …

“I still believe in the two party system. Friday and Saturday!”

Low Cut Connie – Art Dealers [Contender 2023] The line that every critic seems to have glommed onto is when Adam Weiner declares himself “a song and dance man”, probably because it’s accessible though it’d be an oversight to not note the Andy Kaufman parallel. More likely though it’s to serve as a branding reset …