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Clarity - Kim Petras

Kim Petras is one of pops most promising star, and ‘Clarity’ proves this.

Being regularly regarded as pop princess and having your music reach more than 100 million streams only at the age of 27. It sounds like Kim as at the high of her career and It can only get bigger from here.

With a unique songwriting skill, glamorous pop-trap production with hints of EDM and a devoted fanbase, Kim Petras has what it takes to be 2020′s greatest popstars. Compared to fellow popstars Charli XCX and Slayyyter, the trio teamed up for a song called ‘Click’ (remix). 

Music in 2020 has had a great representation within the LGBTQ+ and black community. Lil Nas X, a gay rapper had the longest running #1 hit, surpassing Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey. Lizzo, an ‘obese’ black women hitting the charts with #1 hits like ‘Truth Hurts’. AND finally, Kim Petras is one of the first transgender artists to hit mainstream (alongside SOPHIE).

Kim’s music and persona reaches heavy (and sometimes dark) topics about mental health and love. Her music contains both modern and nostalgic hints with inspirations of recent pop icons like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.

Song Breakdown:

1. Clarity

A great start to the record. The lyrics are full of self-acceptance and confidence. It’s about having Clarity and not worrying what people have to say to you. I love the melody and when the production hits new highs.

2. Icy

Considered the lead single of the album, Icy was one of my most streamed song of the past decade. The hook is catching, and lyrics contain depth. The music video is stunning with clear inspirations towards pop stars like Madonna.

3. Got My Number

This song grew on me. It’s not my favourite, not my least favourite. The lyrics are cringe and the production is nothing special. Meh.. that’s it.

4. Sweet Spot

This song sounds very.. Kylie Minogue. Well, there is nothing wrong with that... I guess. Nothing new.. same ol’ shit.

5. Personal Hell

This is it. This is my hype song. Definitely in my top 5 songs from the album. The lyrics shocked me on the first listen, especially the lyrics “only you can make me come----- alive”. The production is gorgeous and ‘pop perfection’. 

6. Broken

Kim perfectly capsulated brokenness and loneliness in this song. It’s beautiful, it’s art, it’s unapologetically Kim Petras. The music video is beautiful and she perfectly embodies her pain and pours her soul into the song

7. All I Do Is Cry

While listening to this record, I related to most of the song. The feelings of pettiness, happiness and sadness. I badly relate to this song. It's probably my favourite of the album, if not it’s in my top 3. She makes singing out so easy (it’s not) and sings beautifully over a soft guitar rift.

8. Do Me

This song is the embodiment of the word SEX. The lyrics show that Kim has left her bad past behind and moved on. The production is explosive. The high vocals at the end give me chills. All around a good song.

9. Meet The Parents

This song is sassy, this song is petty, this song is the equivalent of 7 Rings... and I LOVE IT! Kim stands up for feminism and speaks on toxic masculinity. It’s an average song.

10. Another One

The song is about being fully invested in one relationship where Kim doesn’t want her partner to be with another one, and instead be hers completely. It’s a pretty change from not caring about love to finding the perfect one.

11. Blow It All

Beginning with a guitar riff, Petras' subject matter takes us to why in our hearts we do the things we do. it’s something everybody can relate to. It gives me SERIOUS Taylor Swift vibes.

12. Shinin’

The closing track on the album, another standout track. Kim admitted on twitter that it is devoted to her fans. A perfect ending to a perfect pop album.

Final Thoughts:

This album came out at the perfect time in my life. This album gave me love, hope and I wouldn’t change ANYTHING about it. This record shows that Kim is going to have a long and eventful career, we will be seeing more of Kim Petras. I can promise you that.

stream the album here!

[shredomatic]

The “PROBLEM” with Female Rappers (pt.1) Double standards. That’s a word to describe female unbelievably high standard in hip-hop. They have to look a certain way and act a certain way. Female rappers have broken these standards and tones of them have evolved into their own unique lane and sound. But what is this whole stigma around female in hip-hop. Even the ones who have proven themselves to have massive impact in the genre, Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown, Missy Elliot, Layrin Hill, Nicki Minaj etc.. are still criticised and not given enough credit. Whether you like it or not, females have to work twice as hard as men whether it’s in music, film.. any kind of industry women have it harder.  Rappers like Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, City Girls etc. are put on blast for their oversharing in their sexuality and their image. But I promise you, take a step back. Reevaluate your standpoint. Look at other sides. And move on. It doesn’t effect you and if you don’t like it just look away. Simple. So keep your mouth shut and realise that these female are confident and happy in their body. You still disagree, so.. male rappers can freely rap about drugs, sex and violence with no consequences. A female rapper does it and now the whole internet has her on blast. OPEN YOUR EYES. They are confident and they are empowering to tones of fans everywhere. Stay in your own lane.  The End of Female Rap In early 2000s female rap took a rapid decline, from Lil’ Kim going to prison to Foxy Brown taking constant breaks. There was a decade where females in hip-hop no longer existed in the mainstream era. That was in till Nicki Minaj came along. Dropping her final mixtape “Beam Me Up Scotty” and planning her debut record “Pink Friday” Nicki’s career took a rapid growth. Her features went viral (sort of) but one verse in particular stuck.. A female rapper and a rookie single handily bodied two male rappers with huge commercial success. Kanye West and Jay Z. Years from there her career grew and grew… Since her multiple female rappers nowadays have the freedom and expression to hit the mainstream market. From Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, City Girls, Saweetie, Iggy Azealia, Azealia Banks.  HOT GIRL MOVEMENT In 2019, Megan Thee Stallion had a massive year.. from a Nicki Minaj feature, Her third mixtape ‘Fever’, multiple billboard entries, to her “hot girl summer” movement. A simple phrase turned to a global movement. Megan’s fans called ‘Hot Girls’ and ‘Hot Boys’. Fans turned a simple phrase into something to empower and add confidence to people everywhere. Know yourself, your body, your mind, your self worth and own it. Whoever you are, that is the message of ‘Hot Girl Summer’.  MCS This whole excuse of “female rappers can’t thrive because their isn’t enough is pure bullshit” Nicki Minaj
Cardi B
Megan Thee Stallion
Doja Cat
Missy Elliot
MC Lyte
Lil’ Kim
Foxy Brown
Queen Latifah
Roxanne Shanté
City Girls
Salt ‘n Pepper
Asian Doll
Cuban Doll
Kash Doll
Dreamdoll
Molly Brazy
Lady Leshurr
Ms. Banks
Azealia Banks
Renni Rucci
Saweetie
Dreezy
Rico Nasty
Bhad Bhabie
Lizzo
Maliibu Mitch
Trina
Angel Haze
Remy Ma
Iggy Azealia
Cupcake
Lieikeli47
Noname
Tierra Whack
Flo Milli
Rapsody
Little Simz
Ashniko There you go.. I have you more than 30 on the top of my head. Another shitty excuse to not push female rappers is “They all rap out sex”. DO. YOUR. RESEARCH. Even if that was true, what is wrong with that? Half of the males are doing it, why not the women? Here are a couple of female rapping outside of sexual topics: Tierra Whack 
Azealia Banks
Noname
Snow Da Product
Little Simz
Rapsody
Lady Luck Nicki Minaj
Young MA
Angel Haze
Lady Leshurr
Rico Nasty
MIA
Leikeli47
Shy Girl
Dezzlo
Meli
Dreezy
Princess Nokia I’ll leave on this final word. You have to listen to music to know that it exists. stream my female rap playlist here!

[shredomatic]

Rare - Selena Gomez

“PLAYFULLY DEFIANT TRIUMPHANT, HYPNOTIC, PURE, GOMEZ IS IN A RARE FORM.” -Entertainment

“STRIKING, INTIMATE, INFECTIOUS, ADVENTUROUS. A GREAT POP ALBUM.” -Los Angeles Times

“AN ACT OF DIVINE RUTHLESSNESS. BEAUTIFUL, RESILIENT AND HOPEFUL.” -Rolling Stone

“ONE OF THE BEST POP ALBUMS IN RECENT MEMORY SOPHISTICATED AND REMARKABLE.” -Variety

“A BEAUTIFULLY CONFIDENT POWERFUL FROM POP’S MOST UNDERRATED STAR.” -NME

Lets throw it out there.. Rare is a great record.. for a mainstream pop star. Rare was a shock when I first heard it, it had so many high highs but a couple of weaknesses. When it ended it felt plain and bland, maybe that was to symbolise the plainness of the cover art but I'm going to guess not. The songwriting was weak and the production was a times overcrowding and too much. All she needed to do was to go into more depth. The track listing is so WRONG. Put into the completely wrong order! Look at her now BEFORE Lose you to love me.

But I appreciate the message of the record, the symbolism behind RARE and I at times found the songwriting and hook mesmerising (which is pretty easy to do though I had romance on repeat for weeks). 

Track Breakdown:

1. Ring

This song is underwhelming, the songwriting was SO bland. I expected more.. she had FOUR years and this is what she came up with. It’s still a nice song to dance and sing to though.

2. Dance Again

This song is a step up, but it wasn’t a big enough step. It is very generic. Although, you can really hear her personality. You could also hear that she was genuinely happy and free while writing and singing this song.

3. Look At Her Now

This is Selena’s second release of 2019, it was a surprise realise and a song dedicated to her fans. It’s a fun little song, it wasn’t supposed to be lyrical or big. I really enjoyed the song on the first listen and the music video completely sold me.

4. Lose You To Love Me

This is Selena’s official comeback. The four years were defiently worth the wait, this is without a doubt one of Selena’s best song.. and it’s her biggest. It went #1 which is huge nowadays for a ballad.

5. Ring

Hopefully this song grows on me. It hasn’t yet but this is a fan-favourite on the album.. but in my opinion it’s just MEH.

6. Vulnerable

This is without-a-doubt in my top 5 Selena Gomez song. So gorgeous, we need to see more of the vulnerable side of Selena because it produces some of her best songwriting and vocals yet.

7. People You Know

This. Is. Definitely. The. Best. Song. On. The. Album. The songwriting is relatable, the hook is catchy, the chorus is soooooo pretty and the production is flawless. 

Gomez told a fan on Twitter that “I never know when enough is enough” is her favourite lyric from the song.

8. Let Me Get Me

This song is a skip. A yawn. That’s all I got to say.

9. Crowded Room

Once again.. a skip. The featured artist adds nothing to the song. I enjoy some of the lyrics though.

10. Kinda Crazy

A skip.. when will this end. *yawn*

11. Fun

Fun was not fun.

12. Cut You Off

This song saved the album. Without it.. the album would be a complete mess. Love the lyrics and the melody. That all I can say about most of these songs, nothing special, nothing new.

13. A Sweeter Place

Selena left the album on a semi-high note. I’m happy that the album managed to pick up in quality before it ended. The song gives me Lana Del Rey and Ariana Grande vibes.. that probably why I like it so much.

Track rankings:

People you Know 10/10 Cut you off 9/10 Vulnerable 9/10 A sweeter Place 9/10 Lose you to love me 8/10 Look at her now 7/10 Ring 6/10 Dance Again 5/10 Let me Get me 5/10 Fun 5/10 Kinda Crazy 4/10 Crowded room 3/10

Overall:

Overall, this album is a solid 3.5/10. She brought nothing new or original to the modern pop music landscape, I'm very disappointed to say the least.

stream the album here!

[shredomatic]

FKA Twigs - Magadelene

This album to me feels very reminiscent of björk’s 2015 release ‘Vulnicura’. They both have this layer of production which truly symbolises the pain they were feeling. The electronic hits in tracks like ‘home with you’ shows the listener the pain, the hit, the heartbreak, the punch. It’s a message that Twigs is trying to show to her audience. This album is unbelievably vulnerable like her debut album ‘LP1′. But this time, it goes above and beyond. Tracks like ‘sad day’ contains a specific sound replayed over and over again for a couple of seconds. The sound heard is almost like a loss of breathe, like she’d given up. Which links to the lyrics of the song.

Track Breakdown:

1. Thousand Eyes

This is a perfect opening to a perfect album. The lyrics are captivating and it already starts to paint a picture of what the album is about. I usually despise repetition within music but mixed with Twigs harmonies.. it’s fucking beautiful.

2. home with you

Music video is 10/10. Song is 10/10. Production is 10/10. Just.. 10/10 all around. Nothing else needs to be said.. 10/10

3. sad day

10/10 aghhh THIS ALBUM IS PERFECT I DON’T HAVE A SINGLE DROP OF CRITICISM FHJFJNDNJJF! This is a nice change from my last review. *COUGH*sing*COUGH*off*COUGH*key*COUGH*

4. holy terrain

This song is a grower.. I enjoy the production.. the feature was unneeded. Future added nothing to the song at first I was trying to avoid listening to it.. it's okay but NOT a skip.

5. mary magdalene

The standout track is ‘mary magdalene’, it gives me late Kate Bush & 90s vibes. Also moments of a wintery production, like björk’s previous release ‘Vespertine”.

6. fallen alien

To quote Gaga herself “gorgeous, never been done before, show-stopping, spectacular” is the perfect way to describe this song. The pop stans love it and the alternative stans love it!

7. mirrored heart

This is an emotional song about her questioning whether her lover actually wants her. She then states that she will never give up on him. “mirrored heart” is when your lover is a “true reflection of yourself.”

8. daybed

This is probably my favourite Twigs song.. maybe. I honestly don’t know. I couldn't choose. The lyrics give me chills and it sounds like she is singing to my soul. Fka Twigs is without a doubt a one of a kind artist.

9. cellophane

The closing track on the album. The lyrics don’t end this album on a good or a bad note within her mental health. I guess we will have to wait till her next album. The music video without a doubt deserved video of the the year at the Grammys 2020.. but that’s a discussion for another day.

Overall:

I recommend this album to people who are a fan of the Artpop and alternative genre, with inspirations like björk and Kate Bush. This is one of the biggest moments of the past decade, the quality of the album is unmatched. Truly, a pure masterpiece.

stream the album here!

[shredomatic]

Radiohead - Pablo Honey

mini review:

Overall, it's an average debut record. Although at times it lacks substance. But the album is a great start into one of the biggest bands of the 90′s. Although the record fell flat, I will continue through their discography. Lets pray it gets better and more experimental. 

Song Rankings:

Creep 10/10 You 9/10 Blow out 8/10 How do you? 8/10 Stop whispering 7/10 Thinking about you 7/10 Anyone can play guitar 6/10 Ripcord 6/10  Vegetable 5/10 Prove yourself 4/10 I can’t 4/10 Lurgee 3/10

stream the album here!

[shredomatic]

AURORA BY BEA MILLER

After diving into the deep web, trying to find a new indie/alternative album to stream I found the heavily ‘AURORA’ by ‘Bea Miller’. I did not regret pressing play onto the first track ‘song like you’ because I instantly became hooked. This is a must-listen to any Sia or Lana Del Rey lover. Album deals with hard hitting topics, like depression and heartbreak.

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:

1. song like you 

A beautiful bop to start the album off, it hooks you in and makes you want to explore this amazing story. I was shocked with the first listen, I didn’t expect the high hitting notes already on the first track, I expected something soft (interpretation from the artwork).

2. burning bridges 

This song samples the iconic ‘London Bridge is burning down’, you wouldn’t expect it to work with such a childish (sounding) lyric, BUT IT DOES. One specific part of the song shocked me, the beat didn’t overdo it shows her raw and emotional high notes.

3. motherlove

This song is empowering, in some lyrics but in others it talks about not loving yourself, it also talks about having a needy... cocky boyfriend who betrays you.. who is also deperate.. just a lot.

4. I can’t breathe

This beautiful piece of art. It to me is about depression and being suffocated with emotions. She says she wants to free her mind, and that she can't breathe. She says she's broken and wants to go back to a simpler time. She wants to be alright.

5. like that

This song is about somebody wanting to change her, but she just wants to be herself. She says when you break her back, she’s stronger. She then keeps asking herself, what if I'm not what you want me to be?

6.buy me diamonds

This song is about a guy who manipulated her, told her lies, left her hanging out to dry, made her cry. She then goes on if you want her to forgive her you have to love her and buy her diamonds.

7. outside

Everybody can relate to this song. We all sometimes have those days were we don’t feel like talking to anybody, you just want be alone. But at the same time your like, who do feel this way?

8. girlfriend

This song is about being afraid to tell the truth because your afraid to lose what’s already there but then you don’t want to be around the other person. It’s about wanting people only for a certain amount of time.

9. bored

There is common theme so far throughout this album, she is with the person but she doesn’t feel the sparks, but there are times when she wants this person and there are times when she doesn’t.

10. warmer

This song is about testing the waters, seeing if their relationship will actually work. She says ‘getting warmer’ which means they are getting close to the peak in their relationship.

11. repercussions

This song is about her caring about what others think, and realising that she is stagnant in life because she is viewing the world from other peoples perspectives but her.

12. S.L.U.T

A song about self-love, loving your body. SLUT Stands for sweet, little, unforgivable, thing. The visuals show women of different colours, races and backgrounds, just loving themselves.

13 crash&burn

This song is about nobody getting through her, it’s the first real love song marking a point in her life where she finally can move past the tumultuous relationship that plagued and inspired the entire record.

14. to the grave

It’s about saying ‘you are a work in progress’ and that is true with everybody, nobody is perfect. Miller seeks self growth which is shown in the lyrics.

RATINGS:

song like you 10/10 burning bridges 10/10 motherlove 10/10 like that 9/10 buy me diamonds 8/10 warmer 8/10 repercussions 7/10 crash&burn 6/10 to the grave 6/10 I can’t breathe 6/10 outside 5/10 bored 5/10 girlfriend 5/10 S.L.U.T 5/10

[shredomatic]

ULTRAVIOLENCE BY LANA DEL REY

I honestly couldn’t choose my favourite Lana album, Born to die and it’s sadness, Ultraviolence and it’s darkness, Honeymoon and it’s bubbliness  and Lust For Life and it’s happiness. They all link together, they all are Lana’s emotions as she wrote the songs. With her upcoming studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell who knows what’s to come. Every album she releases is an masterpiece, I don’t usually use that word but it IS! From her experimental sounds to the high tones, each album she makes has a sort of sound, Ultraviolence has a rock tone to it. Her album writing could be interpreted as similar to Taylor Swift, they are about relationships she went through, good and bad, violence, drugs. Note: most of these songs are 10 stars, didn’t realise that in till now. Every song sounds to me like a different relationship. 

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN:

1. Cruel World

is one of the longest introductions for an album, 6 and a half MINUTES! but thats the perfect sound, as soon as the song comes on it changes you into a different atmosphere, (similar with Honeymoon) I imagine a dark atmosphere, a cruel world, I picture violence. That’s what this album is all about. 

2. Ultraviolence

this song sounds similar to Born to die’s ‘Summertime Sadness’, this song is VERY dark, it uses lyrics like “He hit me, and it felt like a kiss” “He hurt be but it felt like true love” but there are all emotion lyrics that stick out to me like, “loving him was never enough” and “I could of died right there, cause he was right besides me” that made my heart weaken.

3. Shades of cool

is a calm change, the atmosphere I picture immediately changes, the song has some moments of when Lana feeling spiteful like, “he called for me, not for you” but it goes back to sadness with lyrics like “he lives his drugs, he loves his baby too” the tone of singing sounds like the man only loves drugs and not her. The atmosphere is denial, it feels like Lana was in denial that this man was not right for her. The song is pleasing to listen to, it sounds like a perfume advert. 

4. Brooklyn Baby

the tempo speeds up, this song starts with people telling Lana that she is not in love, this song talks about musical instruments and drugs, it mostly talks about jazz and music. Lyrics like “I get high of hydroponic weed” “I get down to beat poetry” this song sounds like she is showing of and says “my boyfriend is pretty cool, but not as cool as me”. 

5. West Coast

this song sounds vintage and has old sounds to it, this song is about Lana admitting that she is in love, its sweet but somethings seem off about the relationship is what I think she is trying to spread the message off, by the slow tempo and choice of sounds. 

6. Sad Girl

is (in the title) sad, the choice of instruments are weird , it makes it seems more vintage and adds almost layers of sounds. The lyrics talk about her “man” and being a mistress on the side> The lyrics are emotional and sad, it talks about her being “his money on the side” and him making her a sad girl. The lyrics sound like Lana was being denied of human emotions, shes just a sad girl, just an “object’ like “money”. 

7. Pretty When You Cry

is about Lana asking “am I the girl that you dream of?” it sounds like Lana was well and truly in love, she just felt self-concise like she wasn’t worth it, like they don’t love her back and love her as much as she does. 

8. Money Power Glory 

I well and truly love this song, it seems so confident, and almost saying “I'm in charge”, whenever I listen to this it gives me boosts of confidence.

9. Fucked My Way Up To The Top

this is usually the fans least favourite on the album, I love it similarly to the previous track, it seem confident and saying “this is my show”. The atmosphere of this song, seems bright, the album atmosphere and what I imagine when I listen to each songs gets brighter and brighter. There is light at the end of the bridge.

10. Old Money

the lyrics starts by her stating what she had with someone, it was happy but then she goes on to questioning “where have you been?” she also talks about them calling her so long ago and never anymore. The lyrics switch and Lana sings “I'll come to you” and similar lyrics, lyrics like that get to me and make me cry.

11. The Other Women

the song is about another women, feeling sad here’s why: the song starts talking about her having time to do chorus and looking pretty but when an old man is mentions, it goes sad. it talks about “the other women” crying herself to sleep and never having the old mans love to keep. A emotional ending to an emotional album. Perfect. The album doesn’t end happy like I thought, it ends sad.

SONG RANKINGS

Cruel World 10/10 Ultraviolence 10/10 Shades of cool 9/10  Sad girl 9/10 Money Power Glory 8/10 The Other Women 8/10 Brooklyn Baby 8/10 West Coast 7/10 Pretty When You Cry 7/10 Fucked My Way Up To The Top 7/10 Old Money 6/10

OVERALL

The album is hard hitting and dark, if you are easily triggered I don’t recommend, I emotionally connected with this album, I think because I relate to some of the songs, when I was scared of what people would think of sexuality and what I felt inside my head, a when I felt very self-conscious, I felt weak. Thank you, Ultraviolence you make me feel happy, and Lana’s voice and talent is outstanding, it send me to my happy place and I forget about whats going on in the world.

stream the album here

[shredomatic]

ANTI BY RIHANNA

This album isn’t far of being on of the most iconic and greatest album of this decade, it has passion, emotion, a song for any emotion you are feeling. The wait was worth it, this album stands out the most from all 7 other albums, ‘Music of Sun’ is cute, ‘Girl Like Me’ is romantic, ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ is mature, ‘Rated R’ is dark, ‘Loud’ is colourful, ‘Talk That Talk’ is lustful, ‘Unapologetic’ has a ‘don’t give a fuck’ feeling and ‘ANTI’ felt the most Rihanna, it felt like she has finally crafted a body of work that will be remember for years to come (along with GGGB). Rihanna has been in the music industry for almost two decade, she has millions of fans, a makeup company ‘Fenty Beauty’ and a long lasting career. Being commonly compared to other musical genius’s ‘Beyonce’ and ‘Nicki Minaj’, this is better then ‘Lemonade’ and ‘Pinkprint’ put together, and thats saying a lot since Lemonade changed music and was big movement, and The Pinkprint had ‘Only’, ‘Anaconda’, ‘Bed Of Lie’s ‘Win Again’ and the heart felt ‘Crying Game’, ‘Grand Piano’ and ‘All Things Go’. ANTI showed us that Rihanna isn’t just a collection of singles and hits, No--- she found pure artistry. She has gone through genres, RnB, Pop, Hip-Hop, Electronic, House, Alternative, EDM, Reggae, Dubstep, Dance, Soul and she has over 250 million records sold, Some of her songs rank in the world’s greatest best selling singles, including ‘Umbrella’ ‘We Found Love’ ‘Stay’ and ‘Work’ and being named in the Top 100 Artists this century. ANTI became her second BBH200 number 1 album and is one of the most dreamed albums on Spotify, with 2 BILLION streams. ANTI has collaborations of SZA (who made the AMAZING album ‘Ctrl’) and ‘Young Money Rapper’ Drake (co-signed with Rap MCs Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Wayne).

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:

1. Consideration

the introduction to the album, featuring SZA (another fellow RnB artist) was well executed, the beat was well chosen, it had questionable lyrics like ‘Let me cover your shit in glitter, I can make it gold’ meaning she uses glitter, to make things look better then it actually is. Felt very long, had a VERY long outro. This song was written by SZA. 

2. James Joint

this song needed to be LONGER. Had calming vocals by Rihanna, the introduction was blunt (literally), meaning, In pop. songs, when it talks about something mature it does bluntly state what it’s talking about but you can interpret what the song is about, although in Hip-Hop they do it very bluntly. The song is about smoking weed, it’s stated in the song. 

3. Kiss It Better

this song had everything, emotion, you could hear all the emotion Rihanna was feeling when she sang this song. The music video, was questionable but felt artsy and original. 

4. Work

I always skip over this song, it is VERY annoying and didn’t deserve the success compared to other songs, Don’t get me wrong it’s a great song and when I listen to it I have fun, it’s honestly Drake that ruins it for me, and sometimes the repetitive of it. 

5. Desperado

OH DESPERADOOOO-- my favourite song from this album, I play this everyday because it’s PERFECT there is no room for improvement, there is no need. The beats and her high vocals make me bust a move everytime, Well done Robyn, I applaud you. 

6. Woo

is a pretty decent song, it helps me get hyped and feel confidence, its very LOUD (get the pun- no oh). I can’t think of anything bad about it right now while listening to it, so WELL DONE it’s a pass. 

7. Needed Me 

OHHHHH Needed Me is that SONG, It’s my SECOND favourite, close to beating Desperado simply because of it’s catchy beat I have been streaming this song since last year and I'm still not tired of it, it’s also the last single from ANTI, so Rihanna knew it was a banger. 

8. Yeah, I Said It

is sassy, bossy, very obnoxious and is great when you want to feel impowered, don’t break you back though it might get you TO HYPED. It could of been a bit longer, actually scratch that I NEED A RIHANNA ALBUM IN THIS GENRE, I DON’T EVEN KNOW GENRE IT IS BUT I NEED MOREEEE! 

9. Same Ol’ Mistakes

this seemed to be a fan favourite, but in my opinion it isn’t the BEST track in the world and the fans should give other songs more credit, Rihanna did co-write this song thoughhhhh. it felt very stretched out and could of been shorter. But the song sounded like it came from the heart. 

10. Never Ending 

the rest of the album from this point had more emotion then Fault in Out Stars (and thats alottttttttt of emotion) it even felt like it belonged to that film. This song makes me think, it makes me think about my life, why are we here? what’s the point of world? what would happen if I wasn’t here (oops, that went tooo dark). Anyway where was I? oh yeah- GREAT SONG!

11. Love on the brain

this song makes me feel a range of emotions from Don’t need you to Sadness, it is high on my favourites, it deserved a music video, grammy (scratch that actually, Grammys are a joke, many talented artist get snubbed every year, Lorde, Nicki Minaj,Bjork, Azealia Banks, Lana Del Rey, EVEN JOHN LENNON! the list goes on, and who do they nominate? CARDI B, sorry congrats to her but NO.) This song seems to be about love, simple as that, but the complex part is HOW DOES SHE HIT THOSE HIGH NOTES? is she a robot? probably.

12. Higher

my THIRD favourite, simply because of the high notes that gives me chills, it so high it’s ARIANA GRANDE AT HER BEST level singing. It’s short but simple. 

13. Close to you

is one of my favourites because of the rawness of it, the emotion is pouring out of her, it’s beautiful, a masterpiece, it’s so underrated and gets discredited by the fans. A perfect ending to the perfect album. 

SONG RANKING:

Desperado 10/10 Needed Me 10/10 Higher 9/10 Close To You 8/10 Kiss it Better 7/10 Yeah I Said It 7/10 Love on the Brain 6/10 Consideration 6/10 James Joint 6/10 Woo 5/10 Same Ol’ Mistakes 5/10 Never Ending 4/10 Work 2/10

OVERALL:

Overall, this album is a emotional rollercoaster but some of the song could of been longer, ‘James Joint’, ‘Yeah, I Said It’, but some song could of been shorter, ‘Consideration’, ‘Work’ (could of been shorter and cut Drake’s verse) ‘Same Ol’ Mistakes’.  But thinking back to what I just listened to, it is one of Rihanna greatest body of work  Sorry, why did I write that? RATED R is her best album, it is undefeated (it also says a big Fuck you to Chris Brown) it explains the experiences she went though, beautiful artistry. The album didn’t seem to pick up, it was amazing throughout the album excluding Work, something similar happened like this with ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’, so lesson here is don’t always experiment, some tracks will go wrong.

stream the album here

[shredomatic]

1991 BY AZEALIA BANKS

This EP is what introduced me to her music, it was short but all I needed. The tracks were so amazingly sounding I brought it on Vinyl (yes I'm old-fashioned, well-- not really I'm currently writing this on my Mac) I’m getting of track, where was I? oh yeah! 1991 had 4 tracks, each were as good as each other, I couldn’t pick a favourite (I’m a liar. It’s ‘LIQUORICE’) They all had something in common, they all felt the same mood, they all felt like they were meant to go together, something I rarely here. Sometimes in a album, you will have a happy song and then suddenly it will go sad (Yes, I'm looking at you Rihanna!). It also felt like a visual album (the only other visual album I have listened to is ‘Lemonade’ by Beyonce).

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:

‘1991′ it’s a title track, so I was expecting the best, it was also the introduction so I had high hopes. The music video was perfectly aesthetic (something this EP goes above and beyond with). The beats were an odd choice, something Banks always does but it felt right. Rating: 8/10

‘Van Vogue’ was my old favourite, before it was overtaken by ‘Liquorice’. The weird woofs that sometimes sounds like a fart, the random slow motion, the weird slow motion talking at the end, those sound like things you wouldn’t want in a song but it fits, Banks has weird ideas but when she puts it all together it’s perfect, something I see a lot in her work. Rating: 10/10

‘212′ the debut song that sparked her career and made her a pioneer for female rap to this day, the catchy chorus ‘What you gon’ do when I appear? When I premiere? Bitch the end of your lives are near This shit been mine!’ is about Banks telling her “competition” that their careers are over when she comes out. This song felt more at home here then on her debut album.  Rating: 9/10

‘Liquorice’ my FAVOURITE track ends up last, they always save the best for last. This song couldn’t of been any better, well apart from it could of had a grand finale since, it leaves you confused and makes you remember all of what you just listened to. Rating: 10/10

Song Rankings:

Liquorice 10/10 Van Vogue 10/10 212 9/10 1991 8/10

Overall:

Overall, the EP helped me get more into Banks’ work, and opened my eyes to new parts of the music industry. It wouldn’t of killed her to make it an album, I want to hear more of this side of Azealia’s music, the end also leaves you thinking “what just happened?” it didn’t end with anything different, album had no message or any lyrics that stood out, only song that stood out for me is ‘Liquorice”. I do recommend listening to ‘1991′ and I can’t wait to see any new Azealia Banks music.

stream the album here

[shredomatic]

15 BY BHAD BHABIE

Who knew a 15 year old could create such a cohesive debut mixtape? Her first project talks about what most rap mixtapes do, money and how she got to where she is today. The song ‘Hi Bich’ went certified Gold in the US and climbed to BBH100, similar success with the songs ‘Gucci Flip Flops’ and ‘Trust Me’. This mixtape showed everyone that her career is not a joke, she is new to the game, and she going to be the game for years to come. Her careers isn’t flopping at all she has a Snapchat show ‘Bringing Up Bhabie’ that hit 10 Million on it’s premere and is currently on tour. Her high anticapated debut album is also releasing soon in 2020. Whether, it’s good or bad everybody is talking about Bhad Bhabie.

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:

1. 15

the introduction starts of with a slow beat, then it picks up and Danielle starts rapping about herself using the number ‘15’. It talks about her making history, living the dream at such a young age. 

2. Juice

could of been a single, with it’s catchy chorus it would make anyone dance crazily. The verse by JG, is basic and pretty boring, but when the chrous starts it picks up again. 

3. Gucci Flip Flops

is one of her more known song, (having a version with Lil. Yachty and another with Snoop Dog) it’s fast raps and basic, but memorable chrous helped the song be so popular. The Music video shows the difference between 60’s and 00’s and how different life is compared to now. Years ago, she wouldn’t have a career. 

4. Affilated

is my favourite track simply because it has Asian Doll in it, and Bhad Bhabie put together. Both of them collaborated together both on the ‘Hi Bich (remix)’. GIRL POWER! 

5. Geek’d

is highly liked by fans because of how Bhad Bhabie raps, she does it amazingly but makes it look easy, it’s not. The beats on this mixtape are on pain. 

6. No More Love

to me is about loosing somebody, loosing a relashionship, it can be with anybody. The song is touching and shows a different side to Danielle. 

7. Thot Opps (Clout Drop)

was the first single from the ‘15’ era (along with Bout That) the songs are very similar in the sense that they are both about hating ‘hoes’. 

8. Yung and Bhad

Danielle just loves spoiling us with all the female collaborations, first Asian Doll, now City Girls. She is branching out who’s next? Nicki Minaj? Cardi B? Anyway— The song is about being young and bad, (thats why it’s called Yung and Bhad). Nothing special. 

9. Count It

the first rapping and amazingly produced chrous makes it high on my list, My favourite Danielle is fast Danielle. She is always switching up her styles. What next? Singing. Yes. 

10. Famous 

has Danielle singing (WHAT?!) who knew she could sing? well her notes are beautful and adds true emotion into the song and she also flips it round and goes ‘Hey i can rap as well’. 

11. Hi Bich

ohhhhh- the iconic song that hit 100 million views on Youtube! her second song she released (after ‘These Heuxs’) this song is so iconic I hear people sing it around school, it the song that everybody has heard, it showed people that she is her to stay.

12. Shhh 

is once again! a simple song, but I guess I shouldn’t be suprised, thats her specialty. Even though it is simple, it is catchy and will get stuck in your head the rest of the day, WARNING! 

13. Trust Me 

this is the song that ended her Pre-15 era and is the first time we hear her sing. The music video was highly talked about in the public, since it spreaded awareness for pedophilia and talking to people online. 

14. Bout That

released with ‘Thot Opps’ this song was trending on youtube and is known for it’s sassy, nasty lyrics, but thats what makes to great. Best lyrics are “came out with no earrings on” implying she had a fight. 

15. Bhad Bhabie Story

is when Bhad Bhabie really showed people that she has a story, she’s not just the girl from Dr.Phil, the troublesome rapper, a joke. She isn’t any of those things and she proved it with this song. 

Song Ranking:

Affilated 10/10 Count it 10/10 Hi Bich 9/10 Bout That 8/10 Bhad Bhabie Story 8/10 15 7/10 Gucci Flip Flops 7/10 Geek’d 7/10 Famous 6/10 Trust Me 6/10 Juice 5/10 No More Love 5/10 Thot Opps 4/10 Yung and Bhad 4/10 Shhhh 4/10

Overall:

Overall, this mixtape was pretty good but I probably wouldn’t have it on repeat as much as ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’ (the last review I did) this is more cohesive and sounded similar to every other rapper, Hopefully she changes that and finds her sound.

I loved the introduction and I would probably listen to that, Juice and Count It sometimes, but rarely all together. A pretty average mixtape, lets see what she for store in her debut album this year.

stream the album here

[shredomatic]

BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE BY AZEALIA BANKS

This is one of the greatest female hip-hop album of all time, it experiences with different styles and sounds. It spawned the mega-hit ‘212′, no songs are fillers or give you the urge to skip (apart from ‘Nude Beach a Go-Go’). Banks puts different genres together and in my opinion is considered a masterpiece and easily beats any Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil’ Kim, Iggy Azalea or Remy Ma album (no shade, just facts). 

The Pinkprint?                                                                                                       Hardcore?                                                                                                               The New Classic?                                                                                                   Invasion Of Privacy?

Sorry.. never heard of them only ‘Broke with expensive taste’

TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:

1. Idle Deliah

This track starts the album of with a electro style beat and lyrics that draw your attention. 

Credit: Banks Twitter “Idle Delilah is the the daughter of a famed white slave owner in the 1900’s who was killed by her own father’s slaves. One day, the white man’s slaves grow tired of his bad treatment and decide to kill his favorite daughter Delilah as payback. So the dead Idle Delilah, the one I’m singing of in the song, is defined as a spirit of time. She represents procrastination. She lives behind doors and hides in garbage cans.”

2. Gimme a Chance’

starts of with a old school beat, lyrics “That's the way that our love can grow” which is directly sampled from Enon’s ‘Knock that door’ The song continues, Banks raps in Spanish and the outro features a male voice talking in Spanish. 

This track was first shown on Banks' earliest mixtape, (’Fantasea’) Before the Expensive Taste, but with different verses. Both versions of the song sample ‘Knock That Door’ by indie rock band Enon.

3. Desperado

is my personal favourite, simply because of the hardcore rap, a perfect beat that fits and electronic effects. The beat and hook are from MJ Cole’s ‘Bandelero Desperado’, which is taken from his album Sincere. 

Lyrics ‘Seductive Pup’ plays on one of the albums themes, which is referencing men as dogs, i.e. ‘Wallace’ and Album Outro ‘Miss Camaraderie’

4. JFK

is like a sequel to her previous song ‘Fierce’ found of her earlier mixtape ‘Fantasea’ this song starts with a mesmerising beat, seconds later Banks’ raps about looking and feeling expensive. 

‘Lady in the floor’ is a vogue ball reference. She pays homage to her song ‘Fierce’ in the lyrics ‘it’s a ball, not a prom’

5. 212′

the debut song that sparked her career and made her a pioneer for female rap to this day, the catchy chorus ‘What you gon' do when I appear? When I premiere? Bitch the end of your lives are near This shit been mine!’ is about Banks telling her “competition” that their careers are over when she comes out. 

watch the official music video here

6. Wallace 

is a step up and can be consider one of her most catchy songs yet- at least in till her second studio album is released (confirmed release 2019) the continuation of her earlier mixtape ‘Fantasea’. 

7. Heavy Metal and Reflective

is nasty (in a good way) provocative song, it symbolises her personality and the music video does not disappoint. 

The starting lyrics ‘Fridgy Froze Kept It's that fresh bitch’ means she is a young and modern rapper; shes new to the game. The chorus ‘Ayo, you know well I'm with that Get Rich’ confirms that she gets money of her music. Lyrics ‘Find me in the borough If you thorough and that bread flip’ means you can find her in New York.

8. BBD

starts with a quick beat and she starts rapping about showing off her riches and styles on people who dislike her because of her status, She’s a high ranking money maker. The song is a anthem for strong and confident women. 

The story behind this song is Banks posted this track online in January 2013. But at the time it was not confirmed for Broke with Expensive Taste, late the next year it ended up on the track listing.

9. Ice Princess

is probably the second song I heard of Banks, and I instantly fell in love. The song talks about stealing men and being a princess, its a simple ballad. The backing almost speaks to you, it has a winter vibe and could feels like it fits in a ‘Frozen’ film- well without the rapping. 

Fact: This isn’t the only time Banks has made a winter themed song, in December 2018 she released her EP ‘Icy Colours Change’ on Streaming Services, Vinyl and CD.

10. Yung Rapunzel

is one of the more memorable tracks, It has a beat that draws you in followed with fast verses that make you want to dance. The chorus features extreme shouting, 50% may hate it, but the other 50% may think it fits. 

I’m the second option, I'm a very hyper person and the chorus only hypes me more- it could due to yours personality or style of music.

11. Soda

Where do I start with this song? The music video is AMAZING! feels very 90′s. The Chrous makes me want to dance- well every song does. 

WARNING: The song may not be about sodas but it will make you dance like a MAD MAN, usually like what a soda does to you.

12 Chasing Time

charted high on the BBH100 but popularity never measures true talent, something this song both goes above and beyond with. The lyrics I nay opinion, sounds like being stuck in some type of emotional degrading relationship, doesn’t matter what type it is Emotional, Physical, Sexual, Neglect it speaks to ANY negative relationship. 

The chorus is catchy and makes me think, the raps are emotion (YES! with years of listening to hip-hop I have never heard of a rap that affects me emotionally).

13. Luxury 

has shockingly amazing notes, (WHO KNEW SHE COULD ALSO SING) The chorus is odd, and makes an odds sound at the end, I copy it every time! 

14. Nude Beach A Go-Go

ok, so I know she was experimenting but this song deserve to be fired into the sun, along with Cardi B’s mixtapes (once again, no shade just facts.) It sounds like a Pepsi advert, and not in a good way, I would never listen to this on a beach, this is an instant skip.

15. Miss Amor

is an easily forgettable song in the Azealia Banks library, but does not for a SECOND deserve to be discredited, the song had a great premise. When Miss Amor was going to be a single, its B-side was to be ‘Miss Camaraderie’ while that never happened, the two songs were still paired together as the last two tracks on Broke with Expensive Taste.

Credit: Banks Twitter “Miss Amor’ was about love post-heartbreak”

Fact: “Miss Amor” was to be the first single from Azealia Banks' debut album, Broke with Expensive Tastebut, according to Banks, after her record label Interscope heard the track “Yung Rapunxel,”, they made it the first single instead.

This song fits perfectly with the final song on the album:

16. Miss Camaraderie

The whole song is catchy and (once again) makes you want to dance. The song is pure bliss and happiness, the song deals with falling in love again. 

Following from ‘Miss Amor’ story of being able to date after a heartbreak, ‘Miss Camaraderie’ is about being able to fall in love again post-breakup.

Song Ranking:

Heavy Metal and Reflective 10/10 Yung Rapunxel 10/10 Chasing Time  9/10 Miss Camaraderie  9//10 Desperado 9/10  212 ft. Lazy Jay 8/10 Ice Princess 8/10 Soda 7/10 Luxury 7/10 Miss Amor 7/10 Wallace 7//10 BBD 6//10 JFK 5//10 Idle Delilah 6.5/10 Gimme a Chance 6/10 Nude Beach A-Go-Go 1/10

Overall:

Overall, this album is high on my favourite albums of all time and I will have on repeat for years to come, this album is a pure piece of art, nobody is on Azealia’s level in the rap game eat the moment, nobody’s pen is better then hers (at least In female rap). Well, lets she if Banks can top this off with her high acclaimed second studio album ‘Fantasea II: A New Wave’.

The second half of the album step out of it’s shell and uses unique sounds from different genres and it manages to fit. Second half is a lot better then the first half. I do recommend this album to Hip-Hop fans, or even people who just want some songs to dance to.

Stream the album here.