#5 years of john ovo

[ananinidraws]

It's his birthday today! :D Five whole years of Magical John <33333 So of course i had to draw a lil something teehee <33333 Think this was the first time i've ever drawn his Scibblenauts design on model ovo

But happy birthday to the blorbo! <33333

[greekcookingmadeeasy]

Trifle Dessert With Melomakarona Cookies

🍧

Trifle Dessert with Melomakarona cookies - Glykisma Trifle me Melomakarona

BY: Greek Cooking Made Easy                          

SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/greekcookingmadeeasy

Check My YouTube Video: HERE

Κοιτάξτε Επίσης Την Συνταγή Μου Σε YouTube Βίντεο, Το Λίνκ Είναι: ΕΔΩ

SERVES  🍴⃒     PREP. TIME 🕔⃒    

    6 pers.              20 min + 7 h wait

COOK. TIME ♨   DIFFIC. LEVEL 👩‍🍳⃒

    10 min.                     Easy

What is Trifle? Trifle is a layered dessert of English origin. The usual ingredients are a thin layer of sponge fingers or sponge cake soaked in sherry or another fortified wine, a fruit element, custard and whipped cream layered in that order in a glass dish.

The contents of a trifle are highly variable and many varieties exist.

This recipe is my very own easy variation, following the standard method and ingredients while adding Greek Melomakarona Christmas Cookies to give that extra crunch and flavour to this undeniably beloved dessert.

Curious to find out how to prepare it yourself? Continue reading.

Suitable for lacto-ovo Vegetarians.

 

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for the homemade Custard:

·      150 ml / 0.6 cup Double Cream (heavy)

·      525 ml / 2.1 cups Fresh Milk, whole fat

·      3 large Eggs, yolks only

·      1/3 cup / 75 gr. / 2.75 oz Sugar

·      2 tbsp. / 30 ml Corn Flour

·      1/2 tsp. Vanilla sugar

Ingredients to assemble the Trifle:

·      The chilled custard cream that you prepared earlier

·      6 slices of 35 gr. / 1.2 oz each Ready-made Vanilla (Sponge) Cake

·      500-600 gr. / 1 lb 2 oz - 1 lb 5.5 oz Mixed Fruits-cocktail, Canned (weighed net)

·      About 1/2 cup / 125 ml Syrup from the canned Fruit

·      1 lt. / 4 cups / 480 gr. / 1 lb 1 oz Ready-made Whipped Cream

·      6 pcs. Melomakarona, crumbled

·      1 shot Grand Marnier or Kumquat Liqueur

METHOD:

A.    Prepare the custard cream 4 h before assembling the dessert:

1.     Pour the milk together with the double cream in a medium pot, over low heat.

2.     Let milk with cream gradually warm up, whisking regularly.

3.     In the bowl with the egg yolks, add the corn flour, sugar and vanilla.

4.     Whisk well until the mix homogenizes. Reserve.

5.     Take the warm milk-cream off the stove.

6.     Bring it next to the egg mixture and using a ladle, add a couple spoonfuls of the warm milk in the egg mixture to help raise its temperature. Whisk well to incorporate.

7.     Repeat by pouring spoonful after spoonful of milk into the egg mixture until it gradually warms up! Be patient with this process!

8.     Tip: Failing to bring the temperature of the eggs up will result in them curdling when pouring in the cream.

9.     Return milk mixture on the stove over low heat.

10.  Now, add the warmed up egg mixture in the pot and stir to blend it in.

11.  Stir constantly for a couple minutes, so that the milk doesn’t burn at the bottom of the pot and until it thickens and turns into a dense cream.

12.  Turn off the heat. Let the cream cool down a bit.

13.  Cover the pot by attaching some plastic wrap on to the custard cream precisely (to prevent the creation of a crust).

14.  Place the pot in the fridge for at least 4 hours for the cream to set and chill.

 

B.    Assemble the Trifle 4 h later:

15.  Note about the cake layer: You could use store-bought vanilla cake or sponge cake, or if making it after New Year for Epiphany Day or St. John's Day, you could use slices of leftover Vassilopita Cake. Any of those would do.

16.  Cut 6 slices of 1 cm / 0.4 in. thick each.

17.  Mix together the syrup from the canned fruits with the liqueur of choice.

18.  Place 6 large glasses with leg, suitable for custard/pudding on the area you'll work. Place a slice of cake at the bottom of each glass.

19.  With a ladle, pour the syrup equally to dampen the 6 cakes.

20.  Next, divide equally 2/3 of the fruit cocktail on to the 6 glasses.

21.  Pour on top half of the chilled custard before spreading half of the crumbled Melomakarona (note: if you want to taste larger pcs, you could crumble them by hand).

22.  Then spread and level half of the whipped cream on top.

23.  Repeat with another layer with the rest of fruit cocktail, the other half of custard cream and the rest of whipped cream on top.

24.  Level the surface of each Trifle with a small spoon.

25.  Finish by sprinkling on top the rest of the crumbled Melomakarona.

26.  Optionally, to make the dessert more festive, add a red candy in the middle and a couple of rosemary twigs to resemble a Christmas tree.

27.  Trifle is now ready. Place the 6 glasses-individually covered with plastic wrap-in the fridge for 3 hours to chill well, before serving.

C. Serving suggestion:

Serve Trifle chilled, directly from the fridge.  

An easy to prepare tasty dessert, refreshing, cool and fruity. A great combination of so many tastes and the unmistakable flavor of our beloved Melomakarona.

Guaranteed enjoyment!

D. Storage info:

This type of Trifle can be prepared only a couple days before consumption. Otherwise Melomakarona become very moist and are not crunchy anymore.

Check my YouTube Video: HERE

Γλύκισμα Τράιφλ (Trifle) με Μελομακάρονα

BY: Greek Cooking Made Easy                          

SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/greekcookingmadeeasy

ΜΕΡΙΔΕΣ🍴⃒   ΠΡΟΕΤΟΙΜΑΣΙΑ 🕔⃒

    6                     20 min + 7 h αναμονή

ΜΑΓΕΙΡΕΜΑ ♨  ΒΑΘΜ. ΔΥΣΚΟΛΙΑΣ 👩‍🍳⃒

    10 min.                  Εύκολο

Τι είναι το Τράιφλ; Το Τράιφλ είναι ένα γλύκισμα αγγλικής προέλευσης με στρώσεις. Τα συνηθισμένα συστατικά είναι ένα λεπτό στρώμα από σαβαγιάρ ή παντεσπάνι εμποτισμένο με σέρι ή άλλο ενισχυμένο κρασί, κάποια φρούτα, κρέμα ανγκλέζ (κάσταρντ) και σαντιγί στρωμένα με αυτή τη σειρά σε γυάλινο δοχείο.

Τα υλικά του είναι πολύ μεταβλητά και υπάρχουν πολλές παραλλαγές.

Αυτή η συνταγή είναι η δική μου εύκολη παραλλαγή, ακολουθώντας την τυπική μέθοδο και υλικά, αλλά προσθέτω μελομακάρονα για να δώσουν αυτή την επιπλέον τραγανή υφή και μοναδική γεύση σε αυτό το αναμφισβήτητα αγαπημένο γλυκό.

Θέλετε να μάθετε πώς να το φτιάχνετε κι εσείς; Συνεχίστε να διαβάζετε.

Κατάλληλο για χορτοφάγους.

 

ΥΛΙΚΑ

Υλικά για τη σπιτική κρέμα Ανγκλέζ/κάσταρντ:

• 150 ml / 0,6 φλ. Κρέμα Γάλακτος (ζαχαροπλαστικής)

• 525 ml / 2,1 φλ. Φρέσκο Γάλα, πλήρες

• 3 μεγάλα Αυγά, μόνο κρόκοι

• 1/3 φλ. / 75 γρ. / 2,75 oz Ζάχαρη

• 2 κ.σ. / 30 ml Κορν φλάουρ

• 1/2 κ.γ. Βανίλια σκόνη (βανιλίνη)

Υλικά για τη συναρμολόγηση του Τράιφλ:

• Η παγωμένη κρέμα Ανγκλέζ/κάσταρντ που φτιάξατε νωρίτερα

• 6 φέτες των 35 γρ. / 1,2 oz Έτοιμο κέικ βανίλιας (ή παντεσπάνι).

• 500-600 γρ. / 1 lb 2 oz - 1 lb 5,5 oz Ανάμικτα φρούτα κοκτέιλ, κονσέρβας (καθαρό βάρος)

• Περίπου 1/2 φλ. / 125 ml Σιρόπι από τη κονσέρβα των Φρούτων

• 1 lt. / 4 φλ. / 480 γρ. / 1 lb 1 oz Έτοιμη κρέμα Σαντιγί

• 6 Μελομακάρονα, θρυμματισμένα στο μούλτι

• 1 σφηνάκι Grand Marnier ή Κουμκουάτ λικέρ

ΜΕΘΟΔΟΣ:

Α. Ετοιμάστε την κρέμα κάσταρντ 4 ώρες πριν συναρμολογήσετε το γλυκό:

1. Ρίξτε το γάλα μαζί με τη κρέμα γάλακτος σε μέτρια κατσαρόλα, πάνω από χαμηλή φωτιά.

2. Αφήστε το γάλα με την κρέμα να ζεσταθούν σταδιακά, ανακατεύοντας τακτικά.

3. Στο μπολ με τους κρόκους αυγών προσθέστε το κορν φλάουρ, τη ζάχαρη και τη βανίλια.

4. Χτυπήστε καλά με το σύρμα μέχρι να ομογενοποιηθεί το μείγμα. Βάλτε στην άκρη.

5. Κατεβάστε το ζεστό γάλα-κρέμα από τη φωτιά.

6. Βάλτε το δίπλα στο μείγμα των αβγών και με μια κουτάλα προσθέστε μερικές κουταλιές από το ζεστό γάλα στο μείγμα των αυγών για να αυξήσετε τη θερμοκρασία του. Χτυπήστε καλά να ενσωματωθούν.

7. Επαναλάβετε ρίχνοντας κουταλιά κουταλιά ζεστό γάλα στο μείγμα αυγών μέχρι να ζεσταθεί σταδιακά! Να είστε υπομονετικοί με αυτή τη διαδικασία!

8. Συμβουλή: Αν δεν ανέβει η θερμοκρασία των αυγών, θα κόψουν μόλις τα ρίξετε μέσα στην ζεστή κρέμα.

9. Επιστρέψτε το μείγμα γάλακτος στο μάτι πάνω από χαμηλή φωτιά.

10. Τώρα, προσθέστε το ζεσταμένο μείγμα αυγών στην κατσαρόλα και ανακατέψτε να ομογενοποιηθεί.

11. Ανακατεύετε συνεχώς για λίγα λεπτά, για να μην πιάσει και καεί το γάλα στον πάτο της κατσαρόλας και μέχρι να πήξει και να γίνει μια πυκνή κρέμα.

12. Σβήστε τη φωτιά. Αφήστε την κρέμα να κρυώσει λίγο.

13. Καλύψτε την κατσαρόλα κολλώντας με ακρίβεια λίγη πλαστική μεμβράνη πάνω από την κρέμα (για να αποφύγετε τη δημιουργία κρούστας).

14. Βάλτε την κατσαρόλα στο ψυγείο για τουλάχιστον 4 ώρες, να δέσει η κρέμα και να παγώσει.

 

B. Συναρμολογήστε το Τράιφλ 4 ώρες αργότερα:

15. Σημείωση για τη στρώση κέικ: Μπορείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε είτε έτοιμα σαβαγιάρ ή έτοιμο κέικ βανίλιας ή παντεσπάνι ή αν το φτιάξετε μετά την Πρωτοχρονιά για την Ημέρα των Θεοφανίων ή του Αγίου Ιωάννη, μπορείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε φέτες από τη Βασιλόπιτα Κέικ που σας περίσσεψε. Οποιοδήποτε από αυτά κάνει.

16. Κόψτε 6 φέτες κέικ πάχους 1 cm / 0,4 in. η καθεμία.

17. Ανακατέψτε το σιρόπι κονσέρβας με το λικέρ της επιλογής σας.

18. Τοποθετήστε 6 μεγάλα ποτήρια με πόδι, κατάλληλα για κρέμα/πουτίγκα στο τραπέζι που θα δουλέψετε. Βάλτε μια φέτα κέικ στον πάτο κάθε ποτηριού.

19. Με μια κουτάλα περιχύστε τις εξίσου με το σιρόπι.

20. Στη συνέχεια, μοιράστε τα 2/3 από το κοκτέιλ φρούτων εξίσου στα 6 ποτήρια.

21. Ρίξτε από πάνω τη μισή παγωμένη κρέμα κάσταρντ, πριν απλώσετε τα μισά από τα θρυμματισμένα μελομακάρονα (σημείωση: αν θέλετε να αισθάνεστε μεγαλύτερα κομμάτια, μπορείτε να τα θρυμματίσετε πιο χοντρά με το χέρι).

22. Στη συνέχεια απλώστε από πάνω τη μισή σαντιγί και ισιώστε τη.

23. Επαναλάβετε με άλλη μια στρώση από το υπόλοιπο κοκτέιλ φρούτων, την άλλη μισή κρέμα κάσταρντ και την υπόλοιπη σαντιγί από πάνω.

24. Ισιώστε την επιφάνεια κάθε Τράιφλ με ένα μικρό κουτάλι.

25. Τελειώστε πασπαλίζοντας από πάνω τα υπόλοιπα θρυμματισμένα μελομακάρονα.

26. Προαιρετικά, για να γίνει το γλυκό πιο γιορτινό, προσθέστε μια κόκκινη καραμέλα στη μέση και δυο κλαδάκια δεντρολίβανου για να θυμίζει Χριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο.

27. Το Τράιφλ είναι τώρα έτοιμο. Βάλτε τα 6 ποτήρια-καλυμμένα ατομικά με πλαστική μεμβράνη- στο ψυγείο για 3 ώρες να κρυώσουν καλά, πριν τα σερβίρετε.

Γ. Πρόταση σερβιρίσματος:

Σερβίρετε το Τράιφλ παγωμένο, απευθείας από το ψυγείο.

Ένα εύκολο στην παρασκευή πεντανόστιμο γλύκισμα, δροσιστικό, ελαφρύ και φρουτώδες. Ένας υπέροχος συνδυασμός τόσων πολλών γεύσεων και της αδιαμφισβήτητης μοναδικής γλυκύτητας των αγαπημένων μας Μελομακάρονων.

Εγγυημένη απόλαυση!

Δ. Πληροφορίες φύλαξης:

Αυτός ο τύπος Trifle μπορεί να ετοιμαστεί μόνο κανά-δύο μέρες πριν την κατανάλωση. Διαφορετικά τα μελομακάρονα υγραίνουν πολύ και δεν είναι πια τραγανά.

Κοιτάξτε επίσης την συνταγή μου σε YouTube βίντεο, το λίνκ είναι: ΕΔΩ

[gokul2181]

Disqualified Djokovic must embrace 'bad guy' role: McEnroe | Tennis News

New Post has been published on https://jordarnews.in/disqualified-djokovic-must-embrace-bad-guy-role-mcenroe-tennis-news/

Disqualified Djokovic must embrace 'bad guy' role: McEnroe | Tennis News

Novak Djokovic will have to get used to being the “bad guy” following his disqualification from the US Open for striking a line judge with a ball, American great John McEnroe has said. The world number one was defaulted at 5-6 down in the first set of his match against Pablo Carreno Busta on Sunday after a ball he swiped in frustration hit a female official in the throat.

The 33-year-old Serbian posted an apology on Instagram, vowing to take away valuable lessons that would aid his “growth and evolution as a player and human being.”

View this post on Instagram

This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I‘m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy. As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being. I apologize to the @usopen tournament and everyone associated for my behavior. I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me. Thank you and I’m so sorry. Cela ova situacija me cini zaista tužnim i praznim. Proverio sam kako se oseca linijski sudija, i prema informacijama koje sam dobio, oseca se dobro, hvala Bogu. Njeno ime ne mogu da otkrijem zbog ocuvanja njene privatnosti. Jako mi je žao što sam joj naneo takav stres. Nije bilo namerno. Bilo je pogrešno. Želim da ovo neprijatno iskustvo, diskvalifikaciju sa turnira, pretvorim u važnu životnu lekciju, kako bih nastavio da rastem i razvijam se kao covek, ali i teniser. Izvinjavam se organizatorima US Opena. Veoma sam zahvalan svom timu i porodici što mi pružaju snažnu podršku, kao i mojim navijacima jer su uvek uz mene. Hvala vam i žao mi je. Bio je ovo težak dan za sve.

A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) on Sep 6, 2020 at 3:58pm PDT

McEnroe, whose own behaviour frequently landed him in hot water with officials during his playing career, said Djokovic had buckled under the pressure. “The pressure just got to him. I think a lot has been going on off the court,” McEnroe, who was disqualified in the fourth round of the 1990 Australian Open after being handed three code violations, told ESPN.

“It’s obviously affected him and whether he likes it or not, he’s going to be the bad guy the rest of his career. “If he embraces that role, I think he could recover. He’s got a lot of things going for him, but this is a stain that he’s not going to be able to erase.” After the premature end to his bid for an 18th Grand Slam, Djokovic left the grounds without attending a press conference and McEnroe, a four-times US Open champion, said the Serb should have faced the music instead of apologising on social media. “You got to man up. It made no sense to me. In the past I’ve seen him take responsibility when he’s blown it. In this case it makes it even worse,” he said. “So what if he apologised on Twitter… that’s not good enough.”

Source link

[brothalynchhung]

2019 overview.

this year.. was fucking two years in one. also a little late again but whatever. this is going to be long as FUCK. 

started 2019 in dubai

spent the first couple of days in Dubai on the beach

YOOO AS AM WRITING THAT IT FEELS SO FUCKING LONG AGO HOLLYY SHITT

went to London and just fucked around dt and chinatown lost that damn snake ring fml

I got drunk eating dumplings watching Jeffrey star in that bed LMFAOOOYOO LMFAOOOOOEGJEORIGHSREUG

got back to Ottawa and it was straight GRIND from the get go

back to my last semester of uni 

back to club m (omg.. I miss:( kinda lol)

started that govt job

back to social media marketing for Dubai

3 jobs + school basically

did that dumbass STUPID FUCKING govt job all the way in quebec that I woke up for and travelled for everyday 

would go straight to gym, work again, or school fml

wasn't entirely bad I kinda needed it cuz I applied to a million jobs during that time and did school work LMAO also printed a lot of important shit and got paid so whatever

CAME TO TORONTO IN MARCH W TRAND OMG I FORGOT THAT WAS 2019

SAW VINCE STAPLES!!

AND The fortune teller who like prophisized all this shit goddddd 

iconic if I must say

little did I know...

I miss movati fml lol

working at club Monaco omg ugh they gave me life honestly

fun times w trang cc precious Courtney mich JACK Amanda Raman donia even tho she annoying lol and whoever else I worked w jana jil Daria honestly I just miss Courtney LMFAO uhh jenn was cool too 

I'm never going to forget that place I swear to god I have so much loyalty and pride for my memories for that place im never going to take my experience there for

chilling with avid Vinny and like Alex a bit LMAO he would randomly ask to chill it was weird

that Chinese dinner and chat time thing in his car WHAT WAS THATTT

chilling like a scrub a cu with hector and that crew goddLMAO

avin vin rideau gang

visiting avid at nordstorm the Rui girl and Herman lol he was sofunny

MY BODY IS FOR ME NOT THESE BITCHES LMFAOO 

last class with strangle omg he was iconic honestly 

trang pargol fidede zainab mannnn honestly shoutout old Ottawa friends 

xinyii!! and jelly!! my last times with them

I miss Xinyi so much :( im so happy I got to see her before leaving she was so nice I wish her so much success 

remember working those last shifts at cm like.. yo I feel like things are going to change and my days are numbered.. I feel it. 

did interview after interview, applying EVERYDAY to escape 

the amount of focusing I did on applying around feb and April like I was just focused on working and getting out of there

did two interviews in like 2 hours always on the go always moving always working 

and then like clockwork.. at the govt job.. went to the bathroom knew? to bring my phone with me.. and then right when I left I got a call from mk went into that empty conference room and got the offer. cried. accepted. life changing

I honestly just left that place... went to cm and just.. resigned... put my two weeks in...

and it happened literally in my last week of the govt job..

like fate 

immediately went home told cc precious fam 

fam weren't happy 

BUT I FINALLY ESCAPED!!!! LOOKING BACK ON THIS BLOG AND EVERYTHING I FINALLY F I N A L L Y GOT OUT OF THERE THE BITCH ASS CURSED SHIT CITY NEVER GOING BACKEGIUEHGEIRUGH 

shout out precious for helping me honestly he helped so much 

found my place through hmida who held it down

that whole condo scenario LOL godddd my landlord a HOE

met zgy gvy at precious while I crashed a night

THE MILLIONS OF RIDESHARESSS GOODDDDDD

remember the one I took last minute from Yorkdale LMAO that one wasn't bad honestly I slept good

moving my things packaging them up. like yo.. lol

bringing the boxes from shoppers godddd LOL 

finally landed in Toronto with my place

waiting outside for 5 hours for my damn keys crazy with my suitcase lol... 

THEN FINALLY GOT TO MY FIRST PLACE!! MY FIRST RENTAL CONDO ALL ON MY OWN NO ROOMATES JUST ME

unpacking my things

like just finally having my own place mannn that was my dream for such a long ass time

getting around dt a bit getting used to tdot... 

crazy exciting 

then... 3 days in..

...

met that bitch that fucked me up 

met everything I ever wanted in a person? physically and interest wise and yet?

nothing? 

SO CONFUSED I MET SOMEONE WITH EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I WANTED

first hookup? lost v? 

new city new job new life new home lost v new everything

in 3 days. 

my life crazy..

spent the whole time like until October till low-key NOW just thinking about it bitterly 

my feelings up and down I was drowning in obsession and confusion

I know I fucked it up but it was fucked up since the beginning

shook everything about what I thought I wanted in gl or a person

standards are definitely raised and all men trash and hoes Idgaf

I feel nothing towards nobody

my whole mind switched to money and power. 

gl I love you but you're not here and we got a lot growing to do so imma see ya ass in a couple of years 

anyways started working at mk!!! craziest 3 month probation thing I had 

HOWWW DID I DOOOO ITTTTTTT 

met so much people... holy shit.. zgy,gvy,hailey,gab,aisha,priya,rach,lisa,alex,DANIA, goddddd

clubbing.. mon., thurs... weekenddd... wake up... 8:30 work

how did I do it.... fuck lol

met a lot of hoes.. fucked with Sunday once more before he died bye bitch ass hoe.. Leo, sleeve, uhhh that's it I think actually

CABANNNAAAA

OMG I SAW SEAN PAUL LIVE ICONICC YOO THIS FUCKING YEAR LMFAOOOOO

omg YEAH I SAW NCT IN MY FIRST WEEK OF TO WITH PARGOL LMFAOOO YOOOOO

damn this year was crazy I keep forgetting shit

all the weird ass ppl I met at cabana omg the humber guy YOO THE ASIAN GUY WITH MY KEYS LMFAOOO ZGY FUCKLMFGIESH

omg tsf lmao and like yeah all the clubbing ppl in to fuck 

half and half like didnnt know if I liked it or not but it was crazy

still think about that Frans night the damn milkshake and food omggg

just spent summer exploring to trinity Bellwoods ossington like summer stories clubbing stories

managing my double life lol

SPIDERMAN OBSESSION LMAOOOO TO DISTRACT MY MIND FROM THAT BITCH ASS HOE LMFAOOFREJGIEURHSTESUIH THEN I FOUND OUT HE HAS A WHOLE WIFE AND BABY YOOO LMFAOOO

good distraction made work fun when I needed it during my last months of probation LMAO

omg going home during lunch and then back to work ICONIC

leaving the girls at my place and coming back for lunch LMAOOO god really iconic honestly showering and going back to work sleeping hoeing all that LMFAO 

omg the time I left Leo at my place YOO LMAO

still have that expensive ass sweater LMFAO WAT A SIMP

those drunk texts he sent Me in august and I punked him off LMFAOO 😩😂

men trash 

darren Chris rob goddd all those damn ppl I met the one guy who saved me during that blacTHE BLACKOUT CABANNA NIGHT GOD THAT WAS A MESS LMAO TITTIES OUT EVERYTHING but yeah he was low key useless I forget his name highboy but whatever

YOOO THAT GIRLS TITTIES I SLEPT ON NGEIRGHEUHUE ICONIC

I got catfishes twice 😩 the change bitch and the John bitch airehguerihserh FUCKKK LMFAO

AND THEN THE CHANG BITCH WAS TRYNA SAY OH U JSUT LOOK TO ARAB THATS WHY WE HAVNET TALKED AGAINL IKE BITCHHHHH FIRST OF ALL UR A WHOLE CATFISHFHERGUERBKSHETERU AHERUIGESRUYR LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 

and then I catfish Sunday to punk him off for revenge and call him a thot and thought he was talking about me for catfish when it was just about another bitch he was hoeing with cuz he a hoe.. Jesus my life wild

SO MUCH SHIT THIS SUMMER UHERGHSREG

gained weight fml I don't even wanna mention it iDONT WANNA TALK

even if it is muscle I dDONT WANNT TALK ABOUT IT

the cabana pool jump... godd... walking home drunkregiuhersguhe fucK 

summer was crazy

nada and mama coming wow that was annoying I rlly can't do family even though I love them

getting high swimming the catfish racing munchies arguing with Alex LMAO 

eating out with Dania gab Lisa the normal ppl I met lool

a lot of stress of money and where I want to go I was in a hella rush idk why I think everything happening so fast made me not want to slow down at all but im finally slowing down 

priya end of the year rebel tiff stuff 

basically drowning in depress and regret around the end of summer cuz everything calmed down and I had the time to think and reflect about everything and yeah.. got super depressed

that bitch cc and her bullshit yo just fucking go bye

notice how there's like no memories with her like yeah there was but they were just annoying cuz she was annoying highkey

thanks for bringing my shit from Ottawa tho dumbass LOL eat a dick

THE HOT TUBBBB SUMMERSSS AND SUMMER NIGHTS 

omg all my emo ass walks at night to the port and water and trillium park in the morning aiohreughresehre writing with my journal god that was actually nice tho 

super peaceful so happy to live near the water highkey

always in between losing myself who am I what do I do now who am I like did I lost myself did I ever have myself

major existential crisis

how did I survive work god 

musicmusiscmusicccc

moviesmovesmoves

readreadread

actually I had a lot of night walking home from the club sad

omg remember the ovo guy fucking loser liar 

as usualllll 

RECORDRESCORSDCRECORDDSSS SO MANY TDOT IS PERFECTT

ugh what else fuck too much shit happened OH YEAH

my birthday with the girls and the bbq!! the cake!! omg so nice :((( so funny lol

that weirdo ass man that I still see in the gym sometimes god help me lol 

passing my probation!!!! and then like finally fitting in and feeling apart of mk and the “family” lol

CLARK KENT AND SCOTTISH MANS MAKING MY LIFE EVRYDAYYYYYugh love them

got a moomin from Scottish mans 🥺 love him

anyways got depressed drowning in obsession.. nothing surprising there 🙄 

got high and drunk like bottom of the barrel... 

right before pargol came LMAO 

oh yeah I went to Ottawa because yo I was going out of my mind about losing myself.. needed to go BACK to the place I hated to find myself

went back and it was like??? everything was the same.. still saw vin and avid and Herman at Rideau still had bbt with them 

still fucking around hector and that whole crew had Ivan his girl moe.. ribal..Kyle YO lol that weird ass club experience AS USUAL Ottawa clubs trash god

apple picking same year in a row wit z <3 and hamza and fams lol

saw the kids and got to be stupid again loool 

anyways came back to my actual life

like it just felt weird knowing that the place I had all my memories and experiences in like.. felt nothing

even the forest felt weird like I didn't need to be there anymore?

as much as tried to drown myself in obsession and my past and bad habits.. I couldn't?

im being forced to move forward and learned Sunday was the last experience it was just eye opening

after the emotional shit I sat down again and had a whole purging 

I never felt that bad and horrible and drowned in obsession since raglan..

like.. deleted the hidden pictures... the feeling.. like I've done this before...

that was the final straw..

you think its over just because I am dead but its not over..the games just begun.

never again. 

anyways I met Aisha!!! love her vibe with her heavy

introduceed me to the sugar shit YOOOO LMFAOOO

THEN WE STARTING PIMPIN AND MAKING EXTRA MONEY

NO MORE MONEY STRUGGLE 

GOT FUCKED OVER HEART TURNED COLD NOW WE FOCUSING ON MONEY CAREER POWER PLAYING THESE HOES FOR THEY MONEY AND RECLAIMING MYSELF 

weird ass fucking people but get the money and go 

stack up crazy and saving up this past few months 

and just chilling w friends and therapy sessions

scheming and planning for the future

therapy sessions

got close with Lisa

oh yeah BOLO!! UGH BEST GYM

ALSO OMG I FORGOT I SAW BROCKHAMPTON AGAIN!!! AND SOMEHOW GOT TO THE BARRIER AND LITERALLY HAD SO MUCH INTERACTION WITH KEVIN LIKE SINGING TOGETHER AND THEN HE CAME DOWN SAID I GOTCHU AND TOOK TWO PICS WITH ME FUCKGIERGEIUTHSEUH THAT WAS INSANEEE MY LIFE WILDDDD 

iconic holiday party and New Years with again like random weird ppl and my girls exemplifying how wild and fresh the whole experience of this year was 

at least I be waking up warm and clean in MY PLACEby myself with no bullshit 

just like.. got a new place new job new city basically live the life I always wanted? reading movies? new friends no problems? wtf how my life change so quick

new interesting experiences

getting drunk high dancing at my place out in these streets just meeting bare people all these new people and experiences holy shit... 

and like yeah im not where I want to be but this progress and process is FUN now 

everything a strategy and a move and love staying busy 

wish I had more free time tho I never feel rested my life fucking crazy LOOL

that weirdo bitch who thought he was dating me UGHHH BOTTOM OF THE BARRELL JUST FOR A CAR AND FOOD BITCHARE U CRAZY 

power trip crazy im so sorry jfc 

anyways block and move on

met Chris and we still talking for like 3 months in a row god... lol gunna see him Saturday idk was the HALE going on 

im like surrounded by hoes???? and I don't want it GOD I JUST BEEN FOCUSING ON ME AND MONEYFUCK EVERYONE ELSE 

idek what else maybe im missing shit but this whole year wild best year of MY LIFE though

idk what the fuck gunna happen in 2020 cuz my split lives and the chaos and playing hoes and always thinking about opportunity and abundance and money got my mind and moves all wrapped in strategy but we only ONNLY ONLYYY GOING UP from here no excuses lets fucking go I always say this but 2019 was fucking wild and you know what.. lets fucking go 2020 LETS FUCKING GO as long as I don't gain weight LMFAO lets fucking GO. money and power on my mind exclusively. gl imma see you in 2 years. focusing on bigger things but at least im OUT HERE and ESCAPED and we onLY ATTRACTING AND MANIFESTING ABUNDANCE 

[thesinglesjukebox]

WIZKID FT. DRAKE - COME CLOSER [4.89] Come closer to the feeling...

Anjy Ou: Every time I sit down and think about what Wizkid has done with his career, my mind is casually blown. He took over the Nigerian airwaves with irresistably dancey tracks, mostly inspired by Yoruba traditional music. Then he switched it up and ushered in a new era of Ghana-Nigeria relations. And then he basically inspired Drake's year of music and grabbed a Billboard #1 song in the process. So it's a little disappointing to see him follow trends here and make an Afro-Caribbean flavoured mellow banger. While the production is "sweeting me," and Wizkid to my relief never says "likkle wine," it needed one of his trademark catchy hooks to really pop. Without one it's just "Controlla 2.0." Which is fine, but it's not the Wizkid we know and love. [6]

Alfred Soto: The influence becomes the influenced; or Wizkid becomes K'naan. [4]

Thomas Inskeep: Drake borrowed from Wizkid, and now Wizkid's taking it back. Unfortunately, what's been taken is fairly dull Auto-Tuned Afropop. [4]

Maxwell Cavaseno: Patronage does a lot to a person. One might go out of their way to say fame doesn't change the music, but the fact is artists perpetually react to their audiences, positively or negatively. Since Wizkid's repeated courting by the Drakk East India company, there has been a notable shift in his music to a more cross-cultural sound and a noteworthy sort of shift in his own approach. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit upset to hear him on "Come Closer" mirroring fellow OVO pet-project Popcaan's cadences so heavily on the bridge here, not to mention the gradual move away from seemingly generic success tropes to a pointedly International Party vibe. Granted, dancehall and reggae have a huge following, so Wizkid absorbing some of that influence could easily be coincidental. However with the production on "Come Closer" mirroring his guest/endorser's last album, I can't help but feel Wizkid's just too eager to chase the dream of being a peer, not a curiosity, and is in turn neglecting what made him so enjoyable. [5]

Ashley John: The beat behind this track sounds like a conversational back and forth, a seesaw bouncing up and down. Where Wizkid pushes to fill the lulls of those transitions, Drake takes his time. He revels in long pauses, lets the track wind back, and delivers his response just as we are getting impatient. [5]

Joshua Copperman: Much better than "Daddy Yo," which didn't become half the hit I thought it would -- in fact, I would probably rank that lower now. This brings back what I felt was missing from J Hus, and the effects on Wizkid's voice suggest that the secret ingredients were reverb and echoing Auto-Tune. While Future and others use it to emphasize detachment and emotionless, the way Wizkid's voice is processed actually sounds like he has emotion on the chorus. I even like Drake's verse, though he doesn't sound quite at home here like Wizkid does, with characteristically awkward incorporations of slang and really long pauses. The major problem, though, is that as pretty as the chorus is, there's a sense of melancholy that the lyrics seem to completely lack. That's not a bad thing; I just wish that they either went fully to the sad-petty-Drake side or the more extroverted Wizkid side, but it seems to hover in between. [6]

Jonathan Bradley: The Drake assist is a double-edged sword for Wizkid. (Isn't it always?) A more buttery and less oily presence on a dark club track than his benefactor, Wizkid nonetheless inclines towards him here in not only style but in internationalist outlook: his patois has become more Caribbean, and though the spacey rhythm retains the West African roots of his sound, its dancehall influences are more prominent than ever. [6]

Stephen Eisermann: More interlude than single, the real winner here is producer Sarz who has had some of the more interesting productions in recent memory. The Afro-Carribean blend is terrific and almost entrancing. The issue here is that the lyrics aren't nearly compelling enough to deserve a production as good as this one (especially "your hair smell like the tropics, your body look nice"). Drake is the biggest hindrance on the track, offering more of his faux-suave rhymes that are becoming increasingly exhausting. Wizkid's wordplay (the "no chaser" verse was tight) is nice and all, but this should've been a minute shorter, Drake-less, and the seventh track on his record, not the lead single. [5]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: I'm sure if Drake drenched his vocals in Auto-Tune that everyone would be getting their thinkpiece caps on, but a part of me has to wonder what this song would be like if Drake committed to sounding less like himself. Of course, it's me having this exact thought that led to the obvious revelation that this would have simply sounded better with a Nigerian pop star instead. Because when Drake comes on, "Come Closer" turns into a completely different track, one that's hammy, unsexy, and lugubrious. Even then, I can't get very excited by Wizkid crooning over a beat that sounds watered down and catered for Western consumption. [3]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

[recoloblog]

Top 5 Albums of 2016: A sign of the times

2016 was one hell of a year. Full of shocks, pleasant surprises, and unbearable heartaches. In terms of music, we lost so much talent and wisdom in Prince, George Micheal, David Bowie and Phife Dawg, The latter hit me the hardest as he was an artist I genuinely grew up on. The funky diabetic was the glue that held Tribe together. His lyricism and wit meant his verses were always memorable and full of quotables.

He complemented Q-tip’s laid-back style with a more fierce and punchy delivery. I was caught off guard when it was announced that A Tribe Called Quest were releasing an album. I feared it was going to be another disjointed posthumously released album that lacks cohesion, but I was taken aback by how effortless it seemed. It was like they never left. They tapped into and captured what was happening in today's world with Q-tip and Ali Shaheed staying true to the sound that has garnered them so many fans over the years. "We The People" is a summation of the America that Trump has left behind in the wake of his recent election. The album as a whole is very much rooted in today's world and the issues that affect us. It serves as a wake-up call to everyone that the world needs to wake up and address its issues before it's too late.  It was exactly what was needed at the time.

That was a common them for albums released in 2016. The timing was always just right. Solange released  A Seat at the Table at a time where African Americans were being slaughtered what seemed every day by the police and their deaths were broadcast across social media like the latest trending meme. It made many question what is a black life really worth? Locally Gladwin Matsheke and the homies at Marvin.co.za were starting a movement of their own, #WeComingForEverything. It’s about taking back what's yours and leaving your mark on society. Claim your seat at the table because this shit is For Us and By Us. Stop apologising for who you are. It was uncanny the way Solange tapped into all those thoughts and feelings. 

Like Pretoria Girls High’s oppression of African hair and the bravery of those young women fighting back for their right to wear their hair naturally. "Don’t Touch My Hair" captured their rage in a beautiful and soulful way. The whole album is full of angst, doubt, and anger but Solange remains composed throughout. The narratives from Master P, Tina Knowles, and Matthew Knowles are powerful and comforting as they recall tales from their past struggles and how they found strength and grounding in who they are and where they come from. It’s a reminder of the strength we yield as black men and women.

The year started off with a bang with Anderson Paak dropping “Malibu.” It was an album that was a slow burn in that as the year drew on the more people caught on to the wave. It had everything from soul to uptempo rhythms, even an ode to fake titties. A song for every moment. "Season/Carry Me" is a recollection of the struggles he endured growing up and finding his way, looking to his Mom for guidance and serenity. "Come Down," produced by the mighty Hi-Tek, is a groovy throwback jam reminiscent of an old block party. “Your Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” is Anderson Paak at his best. His singing/rapping style is unique and raw, the lyrics are encapsulating and the beat is a classic head nodder. Not many people knew him at the beginning of 2016 but going into the new year I' sure he's amassed a few die-hard fans.

Speaking of die-hard fans few are more worthy of the term than J Cole’s fan base. When he announced he was releasing an album they all went crazy. I’m sure one or two were ready to dub it an instant classic. Such is the climate we live in that we don’t give music the necessary time to breathe and settle in. We all want to be a part of the hype. After my first listen to 4 Your Eyez Only I was unsure of how I felt about it, to be honest. 2014 Forrest Hills Drive was a watershed moment for J Cole as a major label artist. He returned to what his core fans loved about his mixtapes, particularly Friday Night Lights and to a lesser extent The Warm Up. Forrest Hills Drive was easy to listen to, whereas 4 Your Eyes Only demanded your full engagement. He was telling a story. At first, it seems like his story as he speaks of love and entering fatherhood but then the last track flips everything on its head. As a whole the album was solid but the context provided by the title track, “4 Your Eyes Only” puts everything in perspective and elevates the entire project. Musically from a production standpoint, I feel this is Cole at his best. The incorporation of live instrumentation (look up Theo Croker by the way he’s dope) really took it to another level. You can see the impact fatherhood is starting to have on him through his maturity and how he views the world. He’s always been a blue collar hero and a humanist but now he’s really embracing it with a fearlessness that is rare in today’s rap artist. A song like "False Prophets," though it didn’t make the album, demonstrates this as he calls out the False Idols of Hip Hop. As a man and a father he is not just sitting back and letting it happen he’s using his voice to put a lens on certain topics and for that, he gets my utmost respect.

Someone who didn’t get enough credit for his album, again due to timing was Schoolboy Q. Blank Face LP was a great album but it came out the same week as another black man was gunned down by the police in America causing it to slip by the wayside. But those who gave it a listen to know it was arguably his best album and possibly the best Hip-Hop album of the year. There was no Kendrick Lamar feature to draw bandwagon TDE fans along, this was an album for SchoolBoy fans and fans of LA Hip-Hop as a whole. It’s dark and gritty, with only one crossover radio single “Overtime” featuring Miguel and Justine Skye. The intro “Torch” sets the tone perfectly. The first real voice you hear is Anderson Paak as he proclaims, “I trade the noise for a piece of divine,” before Schoolboy announces “This that fuck the blogs” while painting a morbid picture of life in LA as a guitar wails in the background. He then lets you know “this is the realest shit he ever wrote,” and after you hear the album in full, it probably is. Blank Face LP tells a story but unlike 4 Your Eyez Only this is more of a scene setter. He immerses you into LA as he saw it growing up and the struggle that continues. “Lord Have Mercy” is a cry for help for the souls claimed by LA’s infamous gang culture. Other standout tracks for me are "Ride Out" feat Vince Staples, "By Any Means", "John Muir"  "Neva Change" with SZA and "Black Thoughts." "Black Thoughts" is Q like we’ve never really heard him before. He displays a level of consciousness very few people knew he even had. Again like J Cole’s album you really need to engage with it to appreciate it. Don’t just skim through it.

Those are my Top 5 albums for 2016, in no particular order. There were many other albums I thoroughly enjoyed. Dvsn had the best album of anyone on the OVO roster with a smooth 90s RnB vibe on "Sept 5". Chance the Rapper stole the show with "Coloring Book" and his verse on "Ultralight Beam". Here's my list of other honorable mentions for last year. Can’t wait to hear what 2017 brings our ears.

NxWorries (Anderson Paak & Knxwledge) - Yes Lawd Blood Orange - Freetown Sound Kaytranada - 99.9% Mac Miller - The Divine Feminine Elaquent - Worst Case Scenario Rihanna - Anti PARTYNEXTDOOR - PND3 Kendrick Lamar - Untitled/Unmastered Common - Black America Again

[thaissa1918]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wnoNpGD24

3 hrs

https://ideasforactionllc.com/team/jean-frankel/

I have a new intenternational news story that will be global on every news channel global tomorrow but here is the preview. It's about an American cunt who works as a so called personal coach like Angelina Lazar but totally satanic not like Angelina at all.

She has actually raking in millions of dollars. She is Arnold Starks daughter named Jeanie Frankel See her cunt web site on Facebook.

She let me knowing I am suicidal when I sent her a message I was going to kill myself yesterday because her father Arnold Stark was starving me without food and killing my service animal refusing to buy it or feed me for 8 days now even a loaf of bread , and she is loaded with about 30 million dollars ...she did not offer to feed me at all. She blocked my messages and although I said I'm killing myself she never called to see if I was even dead!

She wanted me dead this is murder one because she told bishop john lo bue. many years ago she wants to get rid of me because i was engaged to her father who she said to him she hated and I was in the way of her getting her million dollar inheritance if we married.

I am filing criminal charges on this evik witch cublnt tomorrow in Clifton pokicecl dept 8 am.

Please all my global Serbian American and all other global friends.Only Unity Saves Serbs.

Warn all you know all over America never to do business with her anywhere in America or anywhere on the globe. I will give you her photo and business momentarily.

I was taking care of her own ill father's life too and she did not care if I dropped dead.

1553/5000 Imam novu međunarodnu priču o vijestima koja će sutra biti globalna na svakom globalnom kanalu vijesti, ali evo i pregleda. Riječ je o američkoj pički koja djeluje kao takozvani osobni trener poput Angeline Lazar, ali totalno satanski nimalo kao Angelina.

Zapravo je grabila u milionima dolara. Ona je kćer Arnolda Starksa po imenu Jeanie Frankel Pogledajte njenu web stranicu za pičku na Facebooku.

Dala mi je do znanja da sam samoubojica kad sam joj poslala poruku da ću se ubiti jučer jer me je otac Arnold Stark gladovao bez hrane i ubio moju uslužnu životinju, odbijajući da je kupim ili nahrani 8 dana, čak i veknom hljeba, a ukrcana je s oko 30 milijuna dolara ... uopće nije ponudila da me nahrani. Blokirala je moje poruke i iako sam rekao da se ubijam nikad nije zvao da vidim jesam li uopće mrtav!

Željela je da umrem, ovo je ubistvo, jer je rekla biskupu Johnu lo bueu. prije mnogo godina se htjela riješiti mene jer sam bila zaručena za njenog oca za kojeg je rekla da mrzi i da sam na putu da dobije nasljedstvo od milion dolara ako se vjenčamo.

Sutra podnosim krivične prijave za ovaj evikov vještica u Clifton pokicecl od 8 sati.

Molimo sve moje globalne srpske Amerikance i sve ostale globalne prijatelje.Samo Jedinstvo spašava Srbe.

Upozorite sve što znate u cijeloj Americi da nikada s njom ne poslujete bilo gdje u Americi ili bilo gdje u svijetu. Daću vam trenutačno njenu fotografiju i posao.

Brinula sam i za život svog bolesnog oca i nije je bilo briga hoću li pasti mrtva. Send feedback History Saved Community

559/5000 Ona je također obećao da će Dajte mi kartu da bi gledao moj jadni KĆI na Havajima diplomirati a sada je navika i ja smo imali nije videla u više od 36 godine, jer je ona bila daleko od mene KIDNAPOVANI u dobi od 5 By My EVIL bivšeg muža a ona ne zna NJEGOVA SE NJEGOVA ZDRAVLJA I MENTALNE STABILNOSTI ILI MOJE DIJETE I NJEGOVA DIJETKA I JA SAM SAM SAVRŠENO SVOJE OTACE : ŽIVOT POSTOJI DA NIJE Zvao 911 I umro je, a ja sam rekao i to je kako me tretira. ŠTO BESPLATNO LJUBAV BESPLATNO POGLEDAJTE NJEGOVE I PROVEDITE NJEGOVU JEBU OD HVALA, BIT ĆE NA DRUGOJ BBCI SVIJETU NOVOSTI Send feedback History Saved Community

SHE ALSO PROMISED TO GET ME TICKET TO SEE MY POOR DAUGHTER IN HAWAII GRADUATE COLLEGE AND NOW SHE WONT AND I HAVE HAD NOT SEEN HER IN OVER 36 YEARS BECAUSE SHE WAS KIDNAPPED AWAY FROM ME AT AGE 5 BY MY EVIL EX HUSBAND AND SHE DOES NOT CARE AT ALL HOW THIS EFFECT MY HEALTH AND MENTAL STABILITY OR MY CHILD'S AND I HAD JUST SAVED HER OWN FATHERS :LIFE BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT CALL 911 AND HE WAS DYING AND I DID IT AND THIS IS HOW SHE TREATS ME. WHAT A CUNT RIGHT LIKE PLEASE LOOK HER UP AND CURSE HER THE FUCK OUT THANKS SHE WILL BE ON BBC WORLD NEWS IN A SECOND

— with

Dale Gordon

.

[gyrlversion]

Ariana, Taylor, Billie, And Lil Nas X Lead Your 2019 VMA Nominations

She’s got the biggest selling album of the year, and now Ariana Grande continues her hot streak by co-leading the pack of nominees for the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards!

Grande has racked up a whopping 10 (!) nominations, including Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, and Best Cinematography, all for her cameo-packed, rom-com-inspired “thank u, next” video. Joining her at the top of the list is fellow pop titan Taylor Swift, who also boasts 10 nods, split between her whimsical “ME!” and “You Need to Calm Down” visuals. In the list announced Tuesday (July 23), VMA newbies Billie Eilish grabbed nine nods and Lil Nas X trails close behind with eight. Eilish also joins Grande in the illustrious Artist of the Year category, alongside Cardi B, Halsey, Jonas Brothers, and Shawn Mendes.

Meanwhile, the mother-of-them-all category — Video of the Year — is predictably packed. Grande’s “thank u, next” is up against Eilish’s “bad guy,” Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down,” Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road (Remix),” Jonas Brothers’s “Sucker,” and 21 Savage and J. Cole‘s “a lot.”

This year’s show also sees the introduction of a brand new prize: Best K-pop. BTS scored a nom for their Halsey-featuring smash “Boy With Luv,” and the rest of the category is filled with more of the genre’s biggest stars: Blackpink, Monsta X, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, NCT 127, and EXO.

We’ll find out who wins when the 2019 VMAs touch down at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Monday, August 26. See the full list of nominees below and get voting now — your faves need you!

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

21 Savage ft. J. Cole – “a lot” – Epic Records

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Cardi B – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Halsey – Astralwerks/Capitol Records

Jonas Brothers – Republic Records

Shawn Mendes– Island Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Drake – “In My Feelings” – Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST, presented by Taco Bell®

Ava Max – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records

Lil Nas X – Columbia Records

Lizzo – Atlantic Records

ROSALÍA – Columbia Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – “I Don’t Care” – Atlantic Records

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bazzi – Atlantic Records

CNCO – RCA Records

Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records

H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records

Lauv – LAUV/AWAL

Lizzo – Atlantic Records

BEST POP

5 Seconds of Summer – “Easier” – Interscope Records

Cardi B & Bruno Mars – “Please Me” – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

Khalid – “Talk” – RCA Records

BEST HIP HOP

2 Chainz ft. Ariana Grande – “Rule the World” – 2 Chainz Ps/Def Jam

21 Savage ft. J. Cole – “a lot” – Epic Records

Cardi B – “Money” – Atlantic Records

DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher” – We The Best/Epic Records

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records

Travis Scott ft. Drake – “SICKO MODE” – Epic Records/Grand Hustle/Cactus Jack

BEST R&B

Anderson .Paak ft. Smokey Robinson – “Make It Better” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music

Childish Gambino – “Feels Like Summer” – RCA Records

H.E.R. ft. Bryson Tiller – “Could’ve Been” – MBK/RCA Records

Alicia Keys – “Raise A Man” – RCA Records

Ella Mai – “Trip” – 10 Summers/Interscope Records

Normani ft. 6lack – “Waves” – Keep Cool/RCA Records

BEST K-POP

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records

BLACKPINK – “Kill This Love” – YG Entertainment/Interscope Records

Monsta X ft. French Montana – “Who Do You Love” – Epic Records

TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Cat & Dog” – Republic Records

NCT 127 – “Regular” – SM Entertainment

EXO – “Tempo” – SM Entertainment

BEST LATIN

Anuel AA, Karol G – “Secreto” – Universal Music Latino

Bad Bunny ft. Drake – “MIA” – OVO Sound/Warner Bros. Records

benny blanco, Tainy, Selena Gomez, J Balvin – “I Can’t Get Enough” – NEON16/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

Daddy Yankee ft. Snow – “Con Calma” – Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Maluma – “Mala Mía” – Sony Music US Latin

ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records

BEST DANCE

The Chainsmokers ft. Bebe Rexha – “Call You Mine” – Disruptor/Columbia Records

Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato – “Solo” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records

DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B – “Taki Taki” – DJ Snake Music Productions Ltd/Geffen

David Guetta, Bebe Rexha & J Balvin – “Say My Name” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records

Marshmello & Bastille – “Happier” – Capitol Records

Silk City & Dua Lipa – “Electricity” – Columbia Records

BEST ROCK

The 1975 – “Love It If We Made It” – Dirty Hit/Interscope Records

Fall Out Boy – “Bishops Knife Trick” – Island Records

Imagine Dragons – “Natural” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records

Lenny Kravitz – “Low” – BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.

Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes” – Elektra Music Group

twenty one pilots – “My Blood” – Elektra Music Group

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Halsey – “Nightmare” – Astralwerks/Capitol Records

The Killers – “Land of the Free” – Island

Jamie N Commons, Skylar Grey ft. Gallant – “Runaway Train” – Interscope Records

John Legend – “Preach” – Columbia Records

Lil Dicky – “Earth” – Dirty Burd, Inc./Commission/BMG

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST DIRECTION

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Directed by Dave Meyers

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Directed by Andrew Thomas Huang

Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Directed by Hannah Lux Davis

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Directed by Calmatic

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Directed by Dano Cerny

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Directed by Drew Kirsch & Taylor Swift

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Billie Eilish – “when the party’s over” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Ryan Ross, Andres Jaramillo

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Visual Effects by Matt Chandler, Fabio Zaveti for Analog

Ariana Grande – “God is a Woman” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Fabrice Lagayette, Kristina Prilukova & Rebecca Rice for Mathematic

DJ Khaled ft. SZA – “Just Us” – We The Best/Epic Records – Visual Effects by Sergii Mashevskyi

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by Ethan Chancer

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX

BEST EDITING

Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Editing by Elias Talbot

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Record – Editing by Calmatic

Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Editing by Billie Eilish

Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Editing by Hannah Lux Davis & Taylor Walsh

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Editing by Solange Knowles, Vinnie Hobbs, Jonathon Proctor

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Editing by Jarrett Fijal

BEST ART DIRECTION

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by JinSil Park, BoNa Kim (MU:E)

Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Art Direction by John Richoux

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by Itaru Dela Vegas

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Art Direction by Tatiana Van Sauter

Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Brittany Porter

Kanye West and Lil’ Pump ft. Adele Givens – “I Love It” – Warner Records & Def Jam Music Group – Art Direction by Tino Schaedler

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Choreography by Kelly Yvonne

ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna

LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Ryan Heffington

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge, Sara Biv

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Maya Taylor, Solange Knowles

BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Rie Hata

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Cinematography by Elias Talbot

Billie Eilish – “hostage” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Pau Castejon

Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Christopher Probst

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham

Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Chayse Irvin, Ryan Marie Helfant, Justin Hamilton

Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Starr Whitesides

The post Ariana, Taylor, Billie, And Lil Nas X Lead Your 2019 VMA Nominations appeared first on Gyrlversion.

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[torontotravelblog]

TOP THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO IN SUMMER 2018

Long days mean more time to take in everything going on. And Toronto has all the things – headline acts, major arts festivals and big league sports. Here are just some of the hot times that await.

CONCERTS & MUSIC FESTIVALS

Toronto is always a stop on the tour for big name acts, sometimes for two nights. Bruno Mars, Skaira and Elton John’s Farewell Tour are just a few of the major artists coming to town this year. Check out the rosters at Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre) and Budweiser Stage for all the best summer concerts.

For festivals that offer a range of musical experiences for one ticket price (plus food and other extras), check out Field Trip or Drake’s OVO fest or head to the heart of the city at Yonge-Dundas Square for NXNE. The favourite and FREE Beaches Jazz Festival never fails to entertain.

FOOD FESTS

Just about every weekend throughout the summer there’s a new food sampling opportunity. Take in the Taste of Little Italy which celebrates College Street’s rich Italian history, or the Taste of Lawrence in Scarborough with its array of flavours from practically every cultural community in the city. The biggie is the two-week gastronomic gallop that is Summerlicious, from July 6 to 22, 2018. For year-round foodie inspiration read Toronto’s Food & Drink Guide.

POOLS WITH A VIEW

Nothing says summer in the city quite like sitting poolside while taking in a spectacular urban vista. The infinity pool on the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel, the sophisticated lounge at LAVELLE and the lakeside Cabana Pool Bar are all stylish choices. The brand new luxury lakeside option, Hotel X, offers uninterrupted views of Lake Ontario and beyond from its 28th floor pool.

LIVE PERFORMANCES & OUTDOOR MOVIE SCREENINGS

Fascinating performances can be found around every corner in the summer. Dusk Dances and movie screenings inhabit local parks and squares, Shakespeare in High Park lights up the west end locale. Then there are all the multi-day fests like the cutting-edge Toronto Fringe and Luminato, which takes over Toronto for 10 days in June with a range of artistic programming.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre hosts the award-winning Come From Away now until January 20, 2019 (when it moves to the Elgin until April 2019) and the classic King & I moves into the Princess of Wales Theatre July 10 though August 12, 2018. Find more blockbuster theatre productions all summer long at our Theatre Guide.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN

When the whole crew is coming to Toronto there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. Baby rhinos, which are now ready to meet the public, and the CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium should top your list of must-sees. For the more adventurous there’s Treetop Trekking in Brampton and simulated soaring at iFly or the new Soaring Timbers ride at Canada’s Wonderland.

To find more family fun, check out Yo Toronto our site just for kids.

TORONTO CITYPASS

Save money and skip the lines at 5 of Toronto’s top attractions. Toronto CityPass includes admission to: CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Ripley’s Aquarium and either Toronto Zoo or Ontario Science Centre. Valid 9 consecutive days beginning with the first day of use.

This article "TOP THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO IN SUMMER 2018" was originally seen on TORONTO

IV Vitamin Drip Therapy Toronto Clinic - The IV Lounge

[voguingtodanzig]

HONORING LOAD RECORDS WITH 10 CHAOTIC HIGHLIGHTS (2 months ago on Clyrvnt)

By Raymond Cummings

The love affair with Load Records began when a promo disc for Pink & Brown’s Shame Fantasy II materialized in my mailbox: flailing, furious duo punk in a daisy-chaining blatt. This was 2003; by then, Load founders and life partners Ben McOsker and Laura Mullen were already eight or nine years deep into an odyssey of violent, beautiful chaos. For 24 years — beginning in 1993 and concluding earlier this month — the Providence, R.I.-based label provided a megaphone for misfit underground voices from around the world. (Prominent alumni include Men's Recovery Project, White Mice, USAISAMONSTER, Tropical Trash, Burmese, Khanate, Six Finger Satellite, Vaz, White Suns, Timeghost and Clockcleaner.) Every voice was ugly in a different way. From Lightning Bolt’s crushing virtuosity and OvO’s growly, relentless metal to DJ Scotch Egg’s marital, maximalist electronics and Vampire Can't’s pummeling unfathomability, the Load ethos placed a premium on the extreme and the unpredictable. These albums were, for me, a gateway drug; suddenly, there were portals like Freedom From, Narnack, Helicopter and Tone Filth, to say nothing of the many labels — some still vividly in play, others now dearly departed — that emerged in Load’s influential wake.

For his part, McOsker said goodbye on April 10 via a Facebook post. “After 24 years of Load Records, it’s time to move on,” he wrote. “Will be contacting bands to arrange next steps. Thanks for a great ride.” We figured that the best way to say goodbye would be by highlighting a few favorite Load catalog entries.

10. Thee Hydrogen Terrors, Terror, Diplomacy & Public Relations (1996) ‎Providence’s Thee Hydrogen Terrors wound down a brief, impactful career with a boorish, boisterous second LP of semi-maniacal party-punk that remains great fun to drunkenly sing along to at neighbor-antagonizing volumes.

9. Diskaholics, Live in Japan, Vol. 1 (2006) Synthesizer-manipulator Jim O'Rourke, saxophonist Mats Gustafsson and guitarist Thurston Moore gently and lovingly lay waste to a Tokyo stage in 2002. The trio dogpiles jabs, crackles, squeals and bleeps, swerving in and out of incidental grooves. Their massed, messy might can come on like a late-spring thunderstorm — the kind that appears to portend some sonic end of days.

8. Nautical Almanac, Rooting for the Microbes (2004) Even if the phrase “no computers or electricity were employed in the music-making process” hadn’t surfaced in its liner notes, Rooting for the Microbes would still be a strange, immersive experience. Here, this now-disbanded Baltimore outfit mashed up facsimiles of shorting circuits, primal-yowl freewheeling, all manner of swollen aural miscellany and insistent mantras into something mind-bendingly stunning, something deeply and inimitably weird. The truth is out there.

7. Air Conditioning, Dead Rails (2007) Distribution centers, Bandcamp pages, and our remaining brick and mortar record stores hardly lack for punishing, confrontational music; a running list of bands, artists, genres and subgenres would swiftly outstrip any phone book or Cerebus edition you’d care to throw at me. Yet, somehow, Dead Rails is (and remains) heavier and more unforgivingly impenetrable than any harsh wall noise cassette or High on Fire bootleg I’ve encountered. Certainly, there’s some swing to Air Conditioning, but that’s overshadowed by how turgid and thick the guitars feel, by the concussive force of guest drummer Sean McGuinness (of Pissed Jeans!), by the oppressiveness on display. Play Dead Rails on headphones, in your car, on a hi-fi, or through laptop speakers — it will hurt you while remaining eternally just shy of complete comprehension.

6. Metalux & John Wiese, Exoteric (2006) Separately, Baltimore’s Metalux and California’s John Wiese have blessed the world with a plethora of fantastic noise forms. Collectively, these three prove absolutely extraordinary; Exoteric stands as a true collaboration, in which Metalux’s surging synths and Wiese’s bit-crushing electronics collide in delirious, kaleidoscopic conflagration.

5. Brainbombs, Singles Compilation (1999) A psychedelic blues stomp verging on sludge-punk informs Sweden’s Brainbombs on Singles Compilation, even as the band’s singer favors a codeine-drenched black metal growl; this is music that lurches and lumbers as an ongoing act of self-sabotage, secure and assured in its own dazzling ugliness. During a brief gym-going phase last year, Compilations was among my treadmill companions — to the consternation of at least one total stranger.

4. Excepter, Throne (2005) Throne found NYC’s Excepter in an early, gloriously amniotic incarnation: synthesizers, karimbas, and vocals droning and looped nearly into infinity. The result was mesmerizing, half-baked, New Age shamanic — as if they’d figured out how to freeze souls into dry-ice cubes, plunked those cubes into a nitrogen cocktail, then stirred that cocktail slooooooooooooowly.

3. Yellow Swans, Psychic Secession (2006) While Psychic Secession marked the moment when Yellow Swans went political and sharpened their caustic din into something beautifully layered — the dense, churning “True Union”; the roaring, stuttered dub of “I Woke Up” — it also doubled as a subterranean-muso world colloquy of sorts. Mainstays Gabriel Mindel Saloman and Peter Swanson welcomed drone-drift alchemists (Christina Carter), lo-fi impressionists (Eva Inca Ore), idiosyncratic noise soloists (Axolotl, Gerritt Wittmer, the Cherry Point) and extreme music producers (Dan Voss) onto their singular ark. The result? Arguably Yellow Swans’ definitive statement.

2. Lightning Bolt, Wonderful Rainbow (2003) For many, Wonderful Rainbow put Load on the map. Heaving somewhere between heavy metal’s crunch and hardcore punk’s velocity, the decimating third LP from this Providence-based duo is from those genres without being fully of either. A double B12 shot mistakenly mixed with jet fuel, Wonderful Rainbow crams a traditional back catalog’s worth of riffs and spasms into each of its 10 tracks. After pressing play, it’s hard — damn hard — to separate yourself from Brian Gibson’s furious basslines, Brian Chippendale’s inhuman drumming and exclamation mark cartoon vocals, or the irrepressible, shredding vortexes that form, here, the most celebrated crux of their creative union.

1. Sightings, Absolutes (2003) Wire intriguingly reviewed Michigan Haters (Psych-O-Path) and Absolutes together; Absolutes was the album available for sale at Baltimore’s Sound Garden, so I started there. Sightings’ industrial-brutal third studio LP sounded like bloody gravel, broken bones, a practice space lost to flames. The NYC trio’s mein felt tribal and distorted. A caveman-like relentlessness — Mark Morgan’s sideswiped yelps, Jon Lockie’s choked beats, Richard Hoffman’s Jiffy Pop bass — pounded desperately, a core pulse perpetually at risk of annihilation: by whirling sheet metal, by strangled-guitar thunder, by helicopters screaming earthbound. I’d never, ever heard anything like Absolutes before. “Where can this music even lead?” I wondered. The answer, clearly, seemed to be “nowhere, motherfucker” — so, naturally, I followed.

[signalmodulator]

The Catch Up, Vol. VII - Summer 2016

Check out our roundup of this summer’s biggest and best releases, from Frank Ocean to Young Thug to Lil Yachty.

Esco Terrestrial

Future

June 24

Future’s new project, his third of this year after Purple Reign and EVOL, is much more scattered and hit-or-miss than the other two. Esco Terrestrial is sixteen tracks of DJ Esco-hosted southern hip hop, and although it boasts an impressive list of features (Drake, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Rae Sremmurd, and more) the songs themselves are rarely impressive. Although Future has put out some incredible projects in the last 12 months, Esco Terrestrial is a rare misstep - the beats and vocals are both not up to par on this one.

The Mountain Will Fall

DJ Shadow

June 24 / Mass Appeal

DJ Shadow has spent his entire career in the shadow of his first album, Entroducing....., and his new record does nothing to challenge the superiority of that classic. However, The Mountain Will Fall does seem like a solid - if unexceptional - escape of ‘90s-era Shadow; the beats on here are all very modern and very unique. While no particular song stands out on this project, Shadow has proved that he can be a 2016 artist instead of a mere memory of one great album.

Bobby Tarantino

Logic

July 1 / Def Jam

After releasing the lengthy and lofty The Incredible True Story last November, Logic made a speedy return this summer with a searing new mixtape, Bobby Tarantino. It’s clear that this tape is an If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late of sorts - unlike most Logic projects, it’s a mere half-hour of half-cooked pop rap. However, strangely enough, it works most of the time - Logic’s fiercer, less ambitious approach makes for some truly memorable songs. “Flexicution”, “Slave II”, and the Pusha T collab “Wrist” are all incredibly well-done songs, perfect mixtures of Logic’s compact, clinical bars and 6ix’s icy, bare production. While some of the more improvised tracks near the end of the tape lose the momentum, Bobby Tarantino is an impressive project overall. It’s ironic that on his shortest and most compact release, Logic sounds at his most ambitious.

Kingdom EP

Gold Panda

July 1

One of the many reasons that Gold Panda has made his mark in electronic music is that he has a profound skill for creating an atmosphere. Kingdom, an EP quietly released in the wake of the result of the Brexit referendum, is almost solely focused on this trait; unlike his new album Good Luck And Do Your Best, Kingdom is dominated by long periods of either ambient music or minimal techno. While the results are never revolutionary, they’re always appreciated - Kingdom is yet another successful release for Gold Panda, a solid collection of lo-fi electronic tunes.

Sketches From An Island 2

Mark Barrott

July 1 / International Feel

Once Mark Barrott moved to Ibiza and released the first Sketches From An Island, his music grew quietly popular, perhaps due to how unique and divisive it is. Sketches From An Island 2, the deceptively titled third installment of his Sketches From An Island series, continues Barrott’s work in the field of Balearic beat music - this album lies somewhere in between the ranges of ambient music, summery Ibiza club music, and the kind of inoffensive new age tunes that grace commercials for beachside resorts. Sometimes, these experiments work - “Brunch With Suki” is wonderfully lush and relaxing, and “Der Stern, Der Nie Vergeht” is the album’s glittery ambient highlight - and sometimes they don’t, coming across as merely boring.  

Waking at Dawn

Roy Woods

July 1 / OVO

Roy Woods’ debut album is the third OVO release this year, and like other OVO acts (Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR), Woods’ music showcases a desire to move towards a more dancehall-oriented sound. However, Waking at Dawn, a short album with short songs, goes in and out the ears without leaving anything memorable. Woods’ voice is pleasant, and the beats are generally well-made and nicely diverse throughout the record. All in all, though, it’s as if Woods is on autopilot - Waking at Dawn struggles not to fall back asleep. 

COOLAID

Snoop Dogg

July 1 / Doggy Style

Snoop Dogg has worn many musical hats in recent years, but his new album COOLAID garnered a lot of attention compared to his other recent works - this is because COOLAID marked a return to Snoop’s sunny West Coast hip hop origins. Unfortunately, as nice as it is to hear Snoop in his natural hip hop habitat, COOLAID is a shockingly long and joyless affair, an unending slog featuring plenty of distasteful sexism and unnecessary Swizz Beatz features. COOLAID had promise, but it turns out to be just as crude and cartoonish as its goofy artwork.

Dream World

araabMUZIK

July 5

Although not widely accepted as such, araabMUZIK’s debut album Electronic Sound was something of a minor classic in the world of electronic music - at the very least, it was a confident and exciting record from an artist representing a new sound. Five years later, however, araabMUZIK seems to have lost all forward momentum with Dream World, a garishly uncomfortable album of brash, unoriginal big room house and played-out dubstep tracks. The one salvageable track is “Chasing Pirates”, a remake of American singer Raiche’s song of the same name - her vocals are wonderfully lightweight on top of the tightly contorting beat. However, the rest of Dream World leaves a terrible taste in the mouth; this is not one we’ll be returning to, by any means.

Cheetah EP

Aphex Twin

July 8 / Warp

Aphex Twin’s continuous return to music after 2014′s Syro has been marked by a series of pleasant if unspectacular releases, and his new release Cheetah continues that pattern with a short collection of dreamy midtempo songs. The music on this EP kind of softly hums in the background of your headphones; don’t expect any revolutionary music á la Richard D. James Album or Drukqs, but you’re guaranteed to get more playful, mildly groovy IDM.

IV

BadBadNotGood

July 8 / Innovative Leisure

This is BadBadNotGood’s first album with any kind of colorful artwork, and it fits - IV is perhaps the jazz fusion group’s best and most vivid work yet. From the wildly expressive opener “And That, Too.”, to Samuel T. Herring’s gripping vocal contribution to “Time Moves Slow”, to the wonderfully light soul of Charlotte Day Wilson collab “In Your Eyes”, IV stays adventurous, rich, and groovy. BadBadNotGood are quickly establishing themselves as a mainstay of modern jazz - IV only helps with this reputation.

Windings EP

Lindstrøm

July 8 / Smalltown Supersound

It’s called “space disco”, the music that Lindstrøm makes, and although the term seems pretentious and maybe even a little fake at first sight, it couldn’t be more appropriate when describing the Norwegian producer’s new Windings EP. Hyperactive bass lines and cheap, jittery disco synths contribute most of the main melodies, but the sound is given some breathing room through the addition of airy, atmospheric synths and percussion in the back of the mix. Windings uses this formula brilliantly - lead single “Closing Shot” and its two companion tracks are all brilliant and slightly different takes on the space disco sound. It’s hard to make music that is both dreamy and rooted to the dance floor, but Lindstrøm accomplishes it wonderfully with Windings.

Blank Face

ScHoolboy Q

July 8 / Interscope

Even though Kendrick Lamar is the undisputed king of the Top Dawg crew, ScHoolboy Q can be just as exciting, mainly because he brings to the table what Kendrick does not - brutal, dark West Coast hip hop, the type of gangsta theater that functions as both a depressing warning and a thrillingly twisted fantasy. Blank Face is the most comprehensive ScHoolboy Q album yet - although it well exceeds an hour at 17 tracks, the album progresses fantastically well thanks to the variety of songs featured. From “THat Part”’s poppy trap rap, to “Groovy Tony”’s intense, percussive beat, to the dark duo of “By Any Means” and “Dope Dealer”, to the psychedelic hip hop masterpiece that is “JoHn Muir”, to closer “Tookie Knows II” (which is perhaps one of the best gangsta rap tracks of the year) - Blank Face is stuffed with music that ranges from frightening to plain old groovy. ScHoolboy Q’s best album yet. 

Nothing’s Real

Shura

July 8 / Bsessi Limited

In a decade where sparkly synthpop was probably played out by 2013, the fact that Shura’s debut album is cohesive and actually notable is certainly surprising. The English musician’s debut, a 50-minute album featuring nine full tracks, two ambient interludes, and one mammoth “found sound” closer, is jarringly emotional and warmly catchy from start to finish. Songs like “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “Touch” have a desperation to them - Shura’s voice, while nothing particularly unique, bleeds quiet yearning. Nothing’s Real is one of the biggest sleeper successes of the year - keep an eye on what Shura does in the future.

Stateless

Tangents

July 8 / Temporary Residence

Before the release of their debut album Stateless, Australian band Tangents put out a Four Tet remix of their song “Jindabyne”, one which, along with currently being their most popular track, nicely illustrates what is so good about their music. The Four Tet remix, a bonus track on Stateless, is full of clanging percussion and distortion; there’s less of a focus on melody and more of a focus on pure, restless rhythm. The main songs on Stateless are similar - although the album could maybe use a bit more color in general, songs like “Oberon” and “N-Mission” are uplifting, quietly delirious mishmashes of polite jazzy noise. You won’t hear many jazz albums this year that have better rhythms than this one.

Savage Mode

21 Savage & Metro Boomin

July 15 / Slaughter Gang

Metro Boomin’s first project in three years is a collaborative mixtape with the Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, and the iconic producer’s sound has never sounded more idiosyncratic. The beats on this project are some of Metro’s best - it’s a sad state of affairs on the mic, though, as 21 Savage is plenty menacing without actually doing anything deserving of praise. Hooks, bars, an attractive voice - he’s got none of them. All things considered, Savage Mode is a regrettable waste of cutting-edge production.

32 Levels

Clams Casino

July 15 / Columbia

Clams Casino’s debut album suffers from a lot of the same maladies as other “producer albums” - 32 Levels is full of different collaborators and genres, with the result being that it’s less of a Clams Casino album and more of an album produced by Clams Casino. Of course, there are highlights - Vince Staples kills it on “All Nite”, and both the opening and closing instrumental tracks, “Level 1” and “Blast”, are some of Clams’ best beats yet. Overall, however, the collaborations on 32 Levels are hit-and-miss, making for an inconsistent listen.

Made To Measure EP

Darkstar

July 15 / Warp

Made To Measure is a short companion EP to Darkstar’s recent album Foam Island - the EP features vocals from Empress Of and Gaika. Altogether, Made To Measure makes for a solid short listen, full of Darkstar’s jittery ogranic electronics. The Empress Of track “Reformer” is the clear standout - the other three are decent. Overall, pretty middle-of-the-road EP - new, mildly exciting sounds and interesting collabs, but nothing to write home about.

Scum With Boundaries

The I.L.Y’s

July 16 / Third Worlds

Scum With Boundaries is the second album of Death Grips side project The I.L.Y’s, the follow-up to last year’s I’ve Always Been Good at True Love. Zach Hill handles the vocals on this one, and although there are some truly mind-melting bangers on here (”Spiral to Me” is the clear standout), the full album seems to be missing the vocal histrionics of MC Ride.

Summer Songs 2

Lil Yachty

July 20 / Quality Control

Having turned on this tape with no prior experience of Lil Yachty other than a disgusted 20-second preview of “1 Night”, I was pleasantly surprised by how diverse, spirited, and unconventional it was. Summer Songs 2 is perhaps the next incarnation of trap music - after T.I., Gucci Mane, Future, Young Thug, and Rae Sremmurd, this tape falls cleanly into the genre of trap music. However, the artist I was most reminded of while listening was not any of those Atlanta icons - it was Chance The Rapper, who similarly stocks his mixtapes with inspirational, youthful messages alongside all the pop rap braggadocio. Yachty’s emotional versatility allows him to play with trap music like very few can. On “DipSet”, Yachty and Offset trade laconic bars over a beat sampled from the anime series Cowboy Bebop; the result is an enjoyably weird song, as if Moonrise Kingdom was set in Atlanta. Closer “So Many People” trades the trap percussion for a dusty drum machine, which sets the foundation for Yachty’s success story. “Pretty”, the best track on the mixtape, is a heartwarming love song: “I stroll through cities / gang, they stay with me / But never has I seen someone so pretty like you,” goes the chorus. Whether Yachty is the next wave or not, Summer Songs 2 is a wonderful mixtape, the sound of an artist exploring and testing his boundaries.

Bloom EP

ATTLAS

July 22 / mau5trap

Signed to deadmau5′s mau5trap label, Toronto producer ATTLAS makes open, warm pop house - like Kygo, but without the weird appropriation of instruments. His new Bloom EP is a decent collection of these tracks, if unspectacular - at least “Ryat” and “Avenue Road” are definitely worth hearing, and “Shadow Play” isn’t that bad either. The use of acoustic guitar throughout the EP is a nice touch - even though these tracks aren’t doing anything groundbreaking, Bloom is still a satisfactory EP.

Everybody Looking

Gucci Mane

July 22 / Atlantic

After making his highly publicized return from imprisonment, Gucci Mane made his return almost immediately - Everybody Looking came a mere two months later. Featuring Drake, Kanye West, and Young Thug, it attempts to capitalize upon Gucci’s post-jail popularity - although “Richest N**** In The Room”, “1st Day Out Tha Feds”, the Drake and Kanye collabs, and a few other tracks are all nice enough, the album is overall rather bloated and overproduced, like eating too many McDonald’s cheeseburgers in one sitting. Ah, well. It’s nice to have Gucci back.

Lil Durk 2X

Lil Durk

July 22 / Def Jam

Lil Durk’s oft-delayed second album is finally out, and he seems to have taken a few leaves out of Young Thug’s book. Lil Durk 2X features some great production, especially from Wheezy on “Check” and Sonny Digital on “True” - Durk, meanwhile, kills it lyrically in several places, particularly “My Beyoncé”, a heartwarming duo with loved one Dej Loaf. Although Lil Durk 2X definitely slips up, especially in the album’s second half, it’s overall a decent record, with some real highlights.

Quintesence EP

Ricardo Donoso

July 22 / Denovali

After putting out two transfixing records in 2015 (especially Saravá Exu), Ricardo Donoso’s first solo release of 2016, the Quintesence EP, is just as captivatingly dark and labyrinthine. Originally a soundtrack to a Florence To installation, Quintesence stands just as well on its own; the names of the songs point towards the process of mitosis, and the music is just as deceptively human. Another great release from Donoso.

Major Key

DJ Khaled

July 29 / Epic

Thanks to his Snapchat and the barrage of memes and product placement that came with it, DJ Khaled blew up last fall, and Major Key, his first release since then, comes appropriately stacked with starpower. No need to waste space by listing the full features list - suffice it to say that like most DJ Khaled records, a few songs stand out and the rest are ridiculously overloaded. The standouts here: “For Free”, where Drake’s flow and Nineteen85′s samples mesh incredibly well; “I Got the Keys”, where Jay Z puts in some work over a phenomenal Southside beat; and “Work For It”, where Big Sean and Gucci Mane both impress over Metro Boomin’s typically strong production. The rest, Meghan Trainor and all, ranges from decent to utterly unredeemable.

Romantic Comedies

Foozle

July 29 / Babe City

Washington, D.C. outfit Foozle’s sophomore album is a pleasantly sunny collection of soft slacker rock tunes - the best of these is “Letterman”, which benefits from a driving bass line and some wonderful, late-night-TV-inspired vocals. Other than that, however, not much pops out the second time around - even though plenty of these tracks are nice enough, Romantic Comedies doesn’t offer much replay value.

In Summer

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma

July 29 / Devotion

After his decent 2015 album A Year With 13 Moons, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma’s new album is just as spacey and a little less stimulating. Although opener and lead single “Love’s Refrain” is good enough, especially as it slowly melts from a VHS dream into VHS sludge, the rest of the album is rather forgettable. A great experiment from Cantu-Ledesma, but nothing that takes you to another world.

For All We Know

NAO

July 29 / Little Tokyo

NAO’s debut album comes after two highly received EPs, and this album, although longer and more ambitious, is just as lovely. Although she dabbles in the kind of bouncy, hiccupy synthpop that could absolutely take alt-rock radio waves by storm, NAO never really succumbs to repeating the same trick over and over again. "Get to Know Ya” is a summery guitar track; “Inhale Exhale” is driven by its vicious, rubbery bass; “Bad Blood” makes use of sensual silence in between bombastic synth hits. The only similarity is the effect it has on you: it makes your blood boil and your body rock to the beat. For All We Know is a great album, pairing NAO’s electric voice with some electrifying production. 

Trim

Trim

July 29 / 1-800 Dinosaur

Although this is technically an album by the British grime MC Trim, Trim is much more than that - it’s the debut LP released by the label 1-800 Dinosaur, James Blake’s group of producers like-minded in their vision to take club and hip hop music decades forward into the future. This record is full of minimal, futuristic beats, even compared to most grime production, and it couldn’t be better. Trim is vicious on top of these skeletal tracks - “Waco”’s bleacher stomp and organ stabs, the distorted guitar and swirling underbelly of “White Room”, and the sonic barrage that is “RPG”, Blake’s riveting contribution to the LP. Trim is a brilliant album; look out for more from the 1-800 Dinosaur crew.

GENERATIONWHY

ZHU

July 29 / Columbia

ZHU teeters between lush ‘80s synthpop and modern pop house, and these two genres dictate GENERATIONWHY, the producer’s debut album. Although the singles (the fleet-footed ”In the Morning”, the Miami-at-sunrise-sounding “Palm of My Hand”, and “Generationwhy”, which struts irresistibly for four groovy minutes) are all fantastic, the rest of the album is painfully underdeveloped and often cringey. GENERATIONWHY shows promise, but ZHU has plenty to work on, his lyrics and his consistency especially.

Superimpose EP

The Range

August 4 / Domino

The Range’s companion EP to his 2016 album Potential is a little less flashy; this is a seven-track affair consisting of album leftovers and reworks by producer Damian Taylor. While Superimpose is certainly nothing to remember, there are a few small pleasures: “Naught” and “Flag” both reach their climaxes nicely, and the standout track “True Value” features some wonderfully unexpected drum programming near the end.

Daniel Son; Necklace Don

2 Chainz

August 5

2 Chainz took 2016 by storm; Daniel Son; Necklace Don comes after March’s COLLEGROVE and before October’s Hibachi for Lunch. Sadly, quantity did not match quality on this tape; although 2 Chainz is funny and upbeat throughout, there’s very little worth replaying save for the razor-sharp “Ghetto” and the YFN Lucci collab “You In Luv Wit Her”.

Hangin’ At The Beach

Delroy Edwards

August 5 / L.A. Club Resource

Delroy Edwards’ 30-track opus Hangin’ At The Beach is a definitive work of outsider house; even so, it is only sporadically brilliant, with a few magnetizing tracks in between large swaths of forgettable, muddy filler. Even with there being an average song length of around 100 seconds, this album is way too long; if it were more compact, maybe songs like “Crime Spree” and the highlight “Numbnuts Hymn” would be a little more common.

Encore

DJ Snake

August 5

DJ Snake is the latest pop producer to explore the format of the album, and his effort is by far the worst this year. This record includes an impressive list of collaborators (Skrillex, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Migos, Justin Bieber), but none of them can salvage what is an utter mess of unoriginal and unrewarding drops. The only respite is an exhilarating closer in the form of Mr Hudson’s “Here Comes The Night” - other than that, Encore is a disgustingly bad album.

The Disco’s Of Imhotep

Hieroglyphic Being

August 5 / Technicolour

The Disco’s Of Imhotep is the latest offering from Hieroglyphic Being, a Chicago DJ who specializes in acidic, unfriendly house music. It lives up to his reputation for sure - this record has pulverizing percussion and not much else, relying on stripped instrumentals and the power of the beat. Unfortunately, the whole thing kind of falls victim to what many techno/house albums fall victim to - repetition - leaving The Disco’s Of Imhotep as less of a cohesive album and more of an interesting sound that could have been executed better.

(m)edian EP

Ta-ku & Wafia

August 5 / Future Classic

Perth, Australia-based producer Ta-ku continues his move towards the charts on (m)edian, an EP recorded in collaboration with Brisbane’s Wafia, and the results are surprisingly pleasing. (m)edian is a three-song project with two seamless interludes - it plays like an 11-minute mini-mix, and the transitions are often the most exciting part. Be sure to pay attention during “(1.5)” - it’s fascinating to listen to “Treading Water” slowly fade into “Meet In The Middle”.

Boy King

Wild Beasts

August 5 / Domino

Boy King is the sound of an artsy British band - the four-piece Wild Beasts - unabashedly giving in to a more primal, visceral sound. This album combines a plastic, nocturnal ‘80s musical vibe with lyrics from frontman Hayden Thorpe which explore the more poisonous areas of hypermasculinity. Boy King drags a bit in its second half, but overall, it’s a decent musical work with an excellent conceptual foundation.

Songs From Final Fantasy XV EP

Florence + The Machine

August 12 / Island

Florence Welch’s voice seems like it would go well with the vast universe of a game like Final Fantasy XV - after all, “vast” is definitely a word you could use to describe her sweeping chamber pop. The three songs on this EP - two originals and a cover of Ben E. King’s classic “Stand By Me” - are all wonderful in their own way, a reminder of what Florence + The Machine can do. Here’s hoping for a new album some time soon.

PARTYNEXTDOOR 3

PARTYNEXTDOOR

August 12 / OVO

PARTYNEXTDOOR sits at the frontlines of OVO’s campaign to shift modern R&B culture; along with the likes of Roy Woods, dvsn, and Majid Jordan, the Toronto man uses cold, hip hop-influenced beats to help harden the genre’s typically soft shell. PARTYNEXTDOOR 3 is his newest album; it’s a little long at 17 songs, and it’s a little repetitive, but the core of Party’s sound is better than ever. 

SremmLife 2

Rae Sremmurd

August 12 / Eardruma

After last year’s successful debut album SremmLife, Rae Sremmurd are back with the sequel, and it’s just as compact and entertaining. These dudes mean business with their party music; there are no frills or unnecessary details on these songs. While the middle half drags quite a bit, SremmLife 2 redeems itself by offering up the group’s best songs yet: “Look Alive”, “Black Beatles”, and the gloriously weird “Do Yoga”.

The Love That Remains

Savoir Adore

August 12 / Nettwerk

Savoir Adore are a pretty typical alt-rock radio-ready indie band, but their sophomore album Our Nature was impressively varied - unfortunately, this year’s follow up isn’t as impressive. The Love That Remains tries to follow the same formula as Our Nature, with massive singles and various groovy filler tracks; the difference, however, is that neither of the two types of songs really hit their mark. Savoir Adore would do well to get a little more creative with their sound - The Love That Remains just isn’t good enough.

Amnesty (I)

Crystal Castles

August 19 / Fiction

After a tense break between frontman Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass, the prospect of a fourth Crystal Castles album seemed slim. It’s quite a surprise, then, that Amnesty (I) is here - that it features a new lead vocalist in Edith Frances, that it’s relatively uncontroversial after such a notorious split, and that it’s so good. Frances is no Glass, but maybe that’s a good thing - she pulls the band into more multifaceted direction. There are moments of rage (”Concrete”, “Fleece”) and beautiful clarity (”Char”, “Ornament”). It’s a welcome rebirth for the group.

Open Your Eyes

DJ Earl

August 19 / Teklife

DJ Earl helped usher in a new Teklife label this year, releasing a new album full of refined footwork as the Chicago label’s second-ever release. Earl receives help from the likes of Taso, Dj Taye, and Oneohtrix Point Never on Open Your Eyes, and he and his collaborators knock it out of the park - while there may not be anything hugely exciting apart from the excellent opener, Open Your Eyes is packed from start to finish with solid footwork cuts.

25 25 

Factory Floor

August 19 / DFA

There’s so much potential in Factory Floor. They’ve got amazing artwork and a cool sound to boot; not many can pull off vintage-sounding dance music like they can. Unfortunately, the London group’s sophomore album is confined to mediocrity based on one thing: besides the lovely “Ya Ya” and a lesser handful of others, these songs aren’t that exciting in the first place, and they don’t go anywhere. Dance music can be repetitive, but it has to make you dance. 

At Swim

Lisa Hannigan

August 19 / Hoop

Irish singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan’s third album is like her first two - At Swim is graceful and crisp-sounding, with clever songwriting and accessible lyrics. However, this record only gets this in fits and bursts - Hannigan is never exceptional here, and is only good half of the time. You’ll appreciate At Swim, but you might not enjoy it.

Golden Sings That Have Been Sung

Ryley Walker

August 19 / Dead Oceans

Illinois’ Ryley Walker is pretty unashamed in how his singer/songwriter-tinged indie rock resembles lots of 1970s folk music; even so, his new album Golden Sings That Have Been Sung is a lovely collection of fresh, thoughtful folk music. These are jams for the morning radio in the best kind of way; “The Roundabout” has one of the album’s most memorable riffs (and it has some competition), and “Funny Thing She Said” seems to revel in its own golden, laconic pace. If you’re looking for the perfect album to put on while you wake up with a cup of coffee under the rising sun, then Ryley Walker’s the one for you.

EMOTION SIDE B EP

Carly Rae Jepsen

August 26 / School Boy

Carly Rae Jepsen doubles down on her ‘80s-indebted whimsy on EMOTION SIDE B, and while it doesn’t pack the same punch as 2015′s excellent E•MO•TION, it holds up perfectly well as a companion project. Jepsen is excited and sad and sassy, all at the same time - opener “First Time” is ready to soundtrack an aerobics competition, “Fever” is a synthpop song that somehow manages to feel wide open and incredibly well-contained at the same time, and “Cry” is wonderfully heartbroken, almost sounding like a cover of The War On Drugs. EMOTION SIDE B isn’t a classic, but it sure is fun as hell to listen to.

Mangy Love

Cass McCombs

August 26 / ANTI-

Mangy Love, the follow up to Cass McCombs’ 2013 album Big Wheel And Others, is a little less diluted than its predecessor, which is a good thing. This record works well together as a 50-odd-minute showcase of oddball Western lounge rock - McCombs weaves tiny little additions to his guitar rock foundation to make things interesting along the way. Add a few standout songs - “Opposite House” and the gorgeous “Medusa’s Outhouse” - and you’ve got yourself a good album.

CDW EP

Charlotte Day Wilson

August 26

Charlotte Day Wilson gained plenty of attention by appearing on BadBadNotGood’s IV - her gorgeous vocals on “In Your Eyes” stole the show for many. CDW is her debut EP, and it helps the singer establish her own lane, which is evidently textured soulful indie pop. CDW is a more than adequate introduction to Wilson and her voice; now, we lie in wait for what comes next.

and the Anonymous Nobody...

De La Soul

August 26 / A.O.I.

As a dramatic concept album about the future of hip hop, and the Anonymous Nobody... is a little disappointing. All things considered, though, this record is a solid one from De La Soul, especially considering it’s been over a decade since their last one. All the collaborators seem to have been carefully and mindfully chosen - Jill Scott, Little Dragon, 2 Chainz and more serve important roles as the album progresses. It ends in “Exodus”, the best song on the album as well as the “outro that’s also an intro,” as they put it. It’s a poignant farewell from De La Soul, and it’s a powerfully delivered invitation for more artists to step up. De La Soul might be done, but hip hop is just beginning.

Hoops EP

Hoops

August 26 / Fat Possum

Hoops’ debut EP of jangly surf rock is a small but important success for the Indiana band. In an indie world where Mac Demarco’s sound is long past overdone, Hoops find a way to make it fresh again - it turns out that all you need is enthusiasm and some much-needed brevity.

Prima Donna EP

Vince Staples

August 26 / Def Jam

Although Vince Staples is ever closer to reaching his fantastically high potential on Prima Donna, this EP suffers from the same problems that plagued Summertime ‘06 - shoddy production and halfhearted choruses. Staples is mesmerizing when every part of a song has been taken care of - just listen to “Norf Norf” - but here, save for the caustic, James Blake-produced opener “War Ready”, there isn’t much that couldn’t use some extra work.

JEFFERY

Young Thug

August 26 / 300

Not only does Young Thug continue exploring the boundaries of his own voice, continuously coming up with weird takes on trap rap tropes, it seems as if he’s actually doing it more with each project he puts out. JEFFERY is his third mixtape this year, after Slime Season 3 and I’m Up. Its nine tracks are uniformly unique; Thugger blends his sound with reggae on “Wyclef Jean”, nocturnal slow-burning trap on “RiRi”, and psychedelic, summery electro on “Kanye West”. While not every experiment is successful, they’re all immensely entertaining.

MY WOMAN

Angel Olsen

September 2 / Jagjaguwar

Angel Olsen’s newest LP is fuller - it’s more assured, more ambitious, and just a little bit more safe. MY WOMAN doesn’t really reach the heights that the endearingly bare Burn Your Fire For No Witness did; nevertheless, it’s a formidable album that showcases her talents as a lyricist and a songwriter. Just try listening to “Shut Up Kiss Me” without getting a spring in your step; just try listening to “Intern” and “Pops” without feeling alienated and lost. It’s an emotional tour de force.

False Readings On

Eluvium

September 2 / Temporary Residence

One of the best ambient records of the year, hands down. False Readings On has all the best qualities of Stars of the Lid’s catalogue - this album takes short, quietly desperate chords and infuses them with emotion through pure, unstructured sound. “Fugue State” is built around three tiny notes; “Posturing Through Metaphysical Collapse” and “Movie Night Revisited” build to shimmering climaxes from their similarly limited beginnings.

The Sun’s Tirade

Isaiah Rashad

September 2 / Top Dawg

One of Top Dawg’s less magnetizing artists, Isaiah Rashad’s debut album was released with relatively little fanfare in early September, which fits with the spirit of this pleasantly drowsy project. Rashad has a talent for making it all look easy; he coasts through these songs like he’s floating down Route 1 in a convertible. The production on The Sun’s Tirade, meanwhile, is varied enough to keep you interested: “4r Da Squaw”, “Park”, and “Bday” are heartfelt, vicious, and gregarious respectively, all while retaining a healthy homegrown feel. It’s a well-balanced if rather unsurprising project, a solid progression in Rashad’s career.

Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight

Travis Scott

September 2 / Grand Hustle

Travis Scott is more disillusioned (and disassociated) than ever on new album Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, which comes just under a year after his excellent debut Rodeo. This record is definitely a change from Rodeo’s sprawling production; only one song on Birds is over 5 minutes, and the Wild West-inspired aesthetic of Rodeo is much more restrained to traditional verse-chorus form this time around.

Nevertheless, there’s plenty of room for Scott’s trademark outlaw debauchery to shine through on this album; he and his guests are equally impressive throughout. Scott and André 3000 form a formidable duo on opener “the ends”, TM88′s warped guitar sample makes “coordinate” a standout, Washed Out’s “You and I” is brilliantly flipped on the spacey “sdp interlude”, Kendrick Lamar contributes a passable verse to the woozy “goosebumps”, and The Weeknd stops by for a memorable verse in the icy closing track “wonderful”. Overall, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight may be lacking in the overall aura of mystery and godliness that Rodeo possessed so brilliantly. Nevertheless, it ranks as one of the year’s better trap rap projects. 

Ultra

Zomby

September 2 / Hyperdub

London dubstep artist Zomby returned with a new album this year, a year after a pair of Let’s Jam!! EPs in 2015 - unfortunately, just like those EPs, this record is quite forgettable, a 55-minute low-tempo slog of uninteresting electronic beats. There are some highlights, notably "Glass”, which makes use of an infectious (and very pretty) keyboard sample, along with one of the only high tempos on the album. Overall, though, Ultra will probably not be revisited by many who aren’t the most hardcore of Zomby fans.

Badu

Bear Mountain

September 9 / Last Gang

“Badu”, the title track off of Canadian band Bear Mountain’s second album, is a charming combination of jazzy chords and Caribou-esque indie dance beats - Badu as a whole, however, is anything but charming. Save for “Badu” and the decent enough “Can’t Stand To Lose”, this record is an utter disappointment of generic HD synthpop and overwrought, sexless pastiches of the 1980s.

Sunset Yellow EP

General Ludd

September 9 / Mister Saturday Night

Glaswegian producer General Ludd made his return this summer on Mister Saturday Night, and it’s definitely a good one. Sunset Yellow features three songs, each with vividly colorful titles, and all three do not disappoint - this EP is a lovely mixture of house and ambient techno; the aged drums and buttery synths make for a more-than-sufficient soundscape for your summer Friday evenings.

Sunlit Youth

Local Natives

September 9 / Loma Vista

Local Natives continue their slow-moving foray into electronic indie pop on new album Sunlit Youth; this record utilizes synthesizers and even some samples. Regardless of what Sunlit Youth sounds like, though, the important thing is how well it’s written. Tracks like the wonderful opening three of “Villainy”, “Past Lives”, and “Dark Days” ensure that this increasingly electronic sound for the California indie band isn’t too jarring; frontman Taylor Rice’s desperate tenor cries still hit their emotional mark on this record, and Local Natives continue to find new territory to explore.

AIM

M.I.A.

September 9 / Interscope

M.I.A.’s new album - surprise surprise - did not have the most predictable of release strategies. After months of battling with her label, Interscope, the British cultural icon's newest (and possibly last) album is out, but it’s a little less organized than her previous works. AIM is a little bit like M.I.A.’s The Life of Pablo - it’s a messy collection of both fully-fleshed songs and sketches thrown in between. The best moments are when she finds some clarity amidst the messy, Middle Eastern-influenced production; the vicious one-two punch of “Borders” and “Go Off” and the quieter dancehall bounce of “Finally” and “Survivor” rank among the album’s best moments.

Skeleton Tree

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

September 9 / Bad Seed

Unsurprisingly, Nick Cave’s new album is pretty grim - what did surprise us, however, was how forgettable it was too. Other than a few tracks (the opener and the draining “I Need You” and “Skeleton Tree”), Skeleton Tree is a drab affair. It’s almost as if this album is so drenched in dark, languid emotion that it collapses under the weight; certainly not among Cave’s best.

Away

Okkervil River

September 9 / ATO

Okkervil River’s first record since The Silver Gymnasium seems to exemplify the image of the Western singer/songwriter album; you can almost see Will Sheff recording this in a lodge somewhere up in the mountains where the air is dry. This raw, Western vibe extends to every part of the record; the songs are crisp and stately yet sprawling and faded, kind of like an old dignified hotel. From the soulful notes of “Okkervil River R.I.P.” to the cluttered, introspective closing strings arrangement of “Days Spent Floating (In The Halfbetween)”, Away is a delight.

2 years of failure

C418

September 13

Despite being an expansive compilation of German electronic musician C418′s throwaways across 2 years, this record is not actually that bad. Besides the uniformly tedious “90s_” suite that opens the album, there are several surprisingly high points. The album’s middle third is dominated by a serious of soft, inviting ambient pieces, the best of which are “house_loneliness” and “cr1_meadow”. There’s a punching tech house anthem near the end in “egoismus_2016edit”. And, finally, the pièce de résistance is “stranger_think”, a fantastic rework of the Stranger Things theme that was just waiting to be made. Most of the time, 2 years of failure happily contradicts its title.

Shape Shift With Me

Against Me!

September 16 / Total Treble

The newest Against Me! record comes two years after Transgender Dysphoria Blues, and it’s with noticeably less fanfare - this album quietly released in the middle of September. Shape Shift With Me is pleasantly short; there are 12 songs, and none exceed four minutes long. While there aren’t many truly memorable moments of scuzzy punk rock on this album, there are some - the chorus of “333″, the exhilarating trying-not-to-fall-in-love words of “Rebecca”, and the pulverizing bassline of “All This (And More)”, to name a few.

I Remember

AlunaGeorge

September 16 / Island

After they sensationally announced their arrival onto indie pop’s scene with 2013′s Body Music, everything was pointing towards a good 2016 for AlunaGeorge - especially after their impressive features on songs by Flume and Jack Ü. I Remember, then, comes as one of the year’s hugest flops - save for the sultry, Flume-produced “I Remember”, this record is completely devoid of anything remotely energizing. 

Pretty Years

Cymbals Eat Guitars

September 16 / Sinderlyn

Pretty Years, the newest Cymbals Eat Guitars album, is influenced by ‘70s rock, and the result is a record that is supersaturated with flavor - these songs desperately lack fresh air. Although the saxophone in lead single “Wish” is certainly exciting, the rest of the album falls flat; Pretty Years is a failed experiment in warm indie punk.

The Divine Feminine

Mac Miller

September 16 / Warner Bros.

Brush aside the weird, trying-not-to-be-sexist-but-really-sexist theme of Mac Miller’s new album for one moment - The Divine Feminine is actually not that bad. It might not be as consistent as 2015′s GO:OD AM, but that album doesn’t have “Dang!”, a ridiculously smooth song that is by far the highlight. There are some sweet moments amidst the badly sung choruses, too - Ty Dolla $ign’s chorus on “Cinderella”, Kendrick Lamar’s verse on “God Is Fair, Sexy Nasty”, the simmering groove of “We”. Overall, The Divine Feminine is another typical Mac Miller album - bizarre themes and weak choruses, but with some really special moments in between.

Mykki

Mykki Blanco

September 16 / !K7

Mykki Blanco is undoubtedly one of current hip hop’s most unique personalities, without even trying to be - his identity as a trans rapper immediately places him in the context of a genre that is often frighteningly hostile towards people like him. Mykki, his debut record, takes this personality and stretches it to its limits; this album switches from grimy trap rap to experimental hip house from track to track. Overall, it’s a great project, and not unlike Le1f’s Riot Boi in its nocturnal, somewhat drowsy mood. Here’s hoping Mykki is just the start for Mykki Blanco.

Preoccupations

Preoccupations

September 16 / Jagjaguwar

Preoccupations is the “debut album” of Preoccupations, the band that formerly made music as Viet Cong. It’s an imposing 40-minute wall of dark post-punk - its best moments are the singles, the compelling “Anxiety” and “Degraded”. All things considered, Viet Cong’s new album is like their new name - it might have been a necessary change, but it’s a little too abstract and a lot less provocative.

Stage Four

Touché Amoré

September 16 / Epitaph

Touché Amoré’s concept record about cancer guarantees plenty of intense, burning emotions; however, the musical side of this album leaves a lot to be desired. Stage Four is made up of the exact same music from start to finish; while there are highlights and lowlights, of course, the album as a whole is frankly forgettable.

Hard II Love

Usher

September 16 / RCA

Usher has made a career of making thoughtful, tasteful carbon copies of pop’s best trends, and new album Hard II Love is no different. It’s his first record since 2012′s Looking 4 Myself, and he’s updated his sound thanks to producers like PartyNextDoor and Metro Boomin. Overall, Hard II Love is pretty unremarkable; however, tracks like “FWM” and “Missin U” ensure that he keeps his reputation as pop’s cleanest vulture.