carly rae jepsen - emotion remixed +

more carly bae? yes, please

more carly bae? yes, please

most people know that emotion was one of my favorite albums of 2015 and there's two new tracks on this remix album so i figured i'd check it out. first time could've easily been an addition to emotion's main tracklist, fitting well within the sounds of making the most of the night or boy problems. fever's a little bit different, not really a major addition but welcomed anyway as it's a solid track.

the remixes here attempt to pull the 80s vibes out of the tracks for the most part and many of them succeed. would've loved to hear more takes on other tracks besides the four here but there's a few jams i wouldn't mind listening to again. not going to give this album a rating since it's not really a full effort but i'll suggest checking out the top tracks.

top tracks: first time, run away with me (y2k remix), your type (skylar spence remix), all that (the knocks remix)

five for five: vol. 2

alison wonderland - run

  1. pretty typical edm but i like female vocals
  2. lyricism is far from the strong point
  3. the best thing about this is that it kind of slaps
  4. i really don't need to listen to this much anymore
  5. this is like jack ü b-side material

score: 59

the maine - american candy

  1. the "pop rock band for the girls" aesthetic done right
  2. i don't really identify with this at all
  3. if rock was actually in right now this would be top 40 material
  4. i could see this being people's "guilty pleasure" album
  5. still too pretty for my regular consumption

score: 67

all time low - future hearts

  1. the "pop rock band for the girls" aesthetic done meh
  2. i shouldn't have listened to this
  3. the mark hoppus feature was entirely wasted on here and that's tragic
  4. i wanted pop punk and got rock pop
  5. these are like green day - uno dos tré b-sides and that's no good

score: 22

carly rae jepsen - emotion

  1. i wish she'd stop being cute sometimes, like write a dirty song already
  2. i really like you is actually a very solid song despite its slight annoyance
  3. too bad taylor swift did 80s pop first because this album's better and gonna get slept on
  4. it's a little too long of an album though, could've easily knocked off like 5 tracks
  5. black heart or i didn't just come here to dance better be her next singles if she wants to pop off

score: 71

polyphia - muse

  1. very proficient guitar players, less proficient compositions
  2. these songs take so much effort to listen to because they're so solo heavy
  3. the chon feature has the best replay value
  4. the songs aren't inherently bad at all but with all the soloing it needs more low points
  5. the album would do better with vocals, honestly

score: 57

made in heights - without my enemy what would i do

“if you can feel the beat / then why the hell we talking”
— pop it in 2

one part smooth production and one part sexy, faint vocals, made in heights is a duo poised on stealing your heart without even talking about it. the ambience that is created in 13 tracks is so entrancing, you can't help but sway to every single one. some tracks are meant to croon, they drag on you in a way that calms your mind. others have more kick to them; they make you wanna get up and dance but in a very reserved way, and that's refreshing.

the vocals are strong but never really push hard at all. one would think that this would be a deterrent, but it's their best asset. where the vocals simmer, the beat punches. it also never hits you very loudly, but each noise is so precisely placed that its cleanliness is a manner of hitting hard. the use of unconventional noises mixed in with trap staples is also incredibly catchy. it's an easy listen and surprisingly takes a few listens to grasp all of the vibes regardless of its apparent simplicity.

top 3 + lowest one: pop it in 2, ghosts, slow burn, silver droplets

score: 90

five for five: vol. 1

welcome to five for five.
five quick takes, five charts, five albums.
for the first volume, i've decided to embrace diversity.

chunk! no, captain chunk! - get lost find yourself

  1. sometimes the french accent gets in the way, sometimes it makes it unique
  2. the lyrical themes are simple and not in a good way
  3. instrumentally sound for an easycore band
  4. i'd rather listen to this than stuff like tigers jaw or man overboard
  5. there's no real reason to hate on them for what they do when they're pretty #positive about it

score: 47

cncc chart.jpg

ludacris - ludaversal

  1. he's hella funny but hella stale
  2. that jason aldean song didn't need to happen but it's cool that he tried
  3. none of the features really did anything to improve the album
  4. he still needed more features though
  5. ludacris might as well retire from albums and just do features for people

score: 55

skrillex & diplo - skrillex & diplo present jack ü

  1. these guys work really well together to create a great atmosphere
  2. there are times all over this album where i wished the beats would hit harder
  3. the justin bieber feature is fantastic and while i am elated to see missy back in action, her part was very straight-forward
  4. a lot of cheesy vocals lyrically but i don't think they're supposed to be that deep
  5. skrillex > diplo

score: 68

snoop dogg - bush

  1. pharrell is the mvp of this project, charlie wilson a very close second
  2. snoop really shouldn't be singing but at least he doesn't sound nearly as bad as a$ap rocky
  3. of course the song he raps on is the best by far
  4. great pacing, doesn't overstay its welcome
  5. i want kendrick lamar on every funk release from here on out

score: 71

veil of maya - matriarch

  1. the addition of clean vocals is not welcomed, but i got used to it
  2. it seems like they went for a more accessible sound and that's upsetting
  3. they're better at playing that accessible sound than most other bands, though
  4. the song titles all being prominent female names makes me value this project more, three-fifty being absolutely hilarious
  5. y'all probably don't care about the hot takes for this album or the chunk! album and for that you're lame, expand your musical palette with me

score: 66

purity ring - another eternity

watching me is like watching a fire take your eyes from you - repetition

figuring out what purity ring sounds like isn't difficult, you need not look any further than their name and album cover. these ten tracks ring pure and give the feeling of floating in an open space. even though this emptiness may be the overarching emotion evoked, these tracks are not entirely sterile; the trap influence is present thus creating contrast with the sweet vocals. it may seem counterproductive, but the blend makes for a nice ride.

there's sort of an ebb and flow to each song, with one part soaring and one part focusing on laying foundation, with the choruses taking the former route most often. these foundation moments are usually built upon a short repeated phrase that really gets you stuck in the mood. instrumental breaks are frequent and very refreshing as they allow the vibe to fully wash over you before the next verse comes in. every sound made has a purpose, each sound has it's own layer in the cake. 

bonus notes:
- the opening tone on push pull reminds me of the opening tone of drake - take care
- stranger than earth's "i wasn't thinking' 'bout you" really reminds me of frank ocean's thinkin' 'bout you
- this album sounds like what i wanted lights' follow up to siberia to be

top 3 + bottom one: repetition, push pull, begin again, sea castle

chart.jpg

score: 88