Showing posts with label rap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rap. Show all posts

12 May 2026

M.I.A. "M.I.7" (2026)

M.I.7
udgivet: 17. apr. 2026
format: digital (16 x File, FLAC)
[vurdering: 2,5 / 5] [2,56]
producer: diverse
selskab: Ohmni - nationalitet: England, UK

Udvalgte numre: 2. "Prayer 777" - 5. "Sacred Heart (feat. Kala)" - 7. "Money" - 15. "Everything"

7. studiealbum fra M.I.A. følger 3½ år efter MATA (okt. 2022) og er allerede et meget omtalt album. Mest i negative vendinger. Der er dog også uenighed omkring både kunster og album, men uagtet, hvem man læner sig opad, så er M.I.7 et anderledes album fra M.I.A. alene ved at indeholde gennemført kristne budskaber, der tager afsæt i 'Johannes' Åbenbaring' [sic]. Tillige ses 7 symboler på albummets front cover, som skulle symbolisere 'Syv segl fra Åbenbaringen', hvilket gør albummet til et kristent konceptalbum. Det indeholder 16 numre og har en total spillelængde på 64 min., men det, der er ret væsentligt i den forbindelse, er måden hvorpå de mere end 60 min. fordeles. De første 15 numre alene varer i alt blot 31 min., og af albummets 16 numre er der 7 med titlen "Trumpet" efterfulgt af en fortløben nummerering fra 1-7 - alle disse fremstår som deklamationer á la "God thanked it. Said time for the [second] trumpet"... hvorefter nummeret er slut efter en varighed fra 27 til 60 sekunder. Disse kan derfor ses som afspejlinger af de 7 segl... Ja. Andre numre indeholder ikke overraskende tydelige kristne budskaber, som fx #1. "Prayer 777", #4. "Jesus (feat. Sunday Service Choir)", #5. "Sacred Heart (feat. Kala)", #11. "Calling (feat. Sunday Service Choir)", og hele albummet er generelt naturligt 'sovset godt ind' i tydelige kristne budskaber, som en afspejlning af M.I.A.'s nyeste positionering i hendes (hidtil) velbevandrede kunstneriske og personlige søgen. Efter nogle år med forsøg på at markedsføre diverse tøjkollektioner med fokus på bæredygtighed og skærmning mod 5G og 10G stråling [jo jo!] mm., hvilket bl.a. forklarer ventetiden siden sidste album, så ser det nu ud til, at hun har fundet meningen (med det hele) og derfor udbringer det glade budskab med M.I.7. Og deraf følgende har, som indledningsvis indikeret, album og kunstner været genstand for en del mestendels negativ kritik, men ikke kun, forstås.
Personligt, gør det ikke nødvendigvis musik til noget dårligt, hvis det afspejler en tydelig religiøs overbevisning. Det kan det ofte, men Ray Charles, Van Morrison og fx Stevie Wonder har alle lavet flere udmærkede albums, hvor deres spirituelle holdninger har fyldt en del, men hvor musikken alligevel har gjort det til originale og lytteværdige værker. Religiøsiteten fylder i den grad på dette album, og hvad værre er, så mangler albummet egentlig musikalsk resonans. Der er intet nyt fra M.I.A. andet end gentagelser af musikalske mønstre - og det er så, når det er bedst. For det meste føles det uden involvering og substans. Albummets sidste nummer "30 Minutes of Silence" [!] mere end fordobler albummets spilletid - det bemærkelsesværdige er, at nummeret kommer med 30 minutters stilhed [tid til spirituel eftertænksomhed] efterfulgt af et kristent budskab næsten uden hørbar instrumentering.
M.I.7 er en original udgivelse. Det er det utvivlsomt. Det er bare ikke én af den slags, der giver mig lyst til at finde lignende albums, og hvad M.I.A. angår, så lader hun til at være tilpas skråsikker i sit nervesystem til at forholde sig til nuancer, faldgruber, og diverse former for manipulation - nej vel!! Albummet her falder ganske hårdt eller fladt og placerer sig som hendes indtil videre suverænt ringeste.
Det er ikke anbefalet - som i slet ikke. Måske min vurdering ligger i den høje ende af skalaen? Som Fantano tænker jeg: Det.er.ikke.godt.
[ needledrop: 'NOT GOOD' , 👍Slant 2,5 / 5,👎Pitchfork 7,4 / 10 stjerner ]

16 November 2023

Evigby "John Tonic & metalhjertet" (2023)

John Tonic & metalhjertet
release date: May 19, 2023
format: digital (Soundcloud)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,77]
producer: Freddy Konfeddy et al.
label: Kosmokrator Records- nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 2. "Sult" - 3. "Sober sæbeopera" - 5. "Skejs Kejser" - 6. "Pop Pop" - 8. "Flex" - 9. "Metalhjertet" - 10. "Narkosalg" - 12. "Mordersang" - 13. "Fra den sunkne bys slimede gader rejser den dekadente titan Mest Mefisto sig" - 14. "Phallos" - 16. "Enten eller" - 17. "Far"

Studio album debut by Danish hiphop and rap-collective Evigby led by songwriter and lead vocalist Laurits von Undall, who previously released music under the name of John Tonic. The album is in essence a conceptual album blending what appears as sci-fi storytelling put in a contemporary setting with focus on social awareness. It's by no means a traditional Danish hiphop or rap outing and it seems more directly inspired by various US hiphop and rap artists without being a mere copy. The lyrics are all held in Danish, and the music is hard to narrow in, but lyrics and music put together, really makes this an original cocktail. The music is first and foremost built on hiphop and it's electronically founded but there's nevertheless also a strong will to experiment with traditional rock instrumentation, which provides a refreshing mix of styles, although, the strong vocal performance never suggest anything but hiphop. Laurits showcases a natural ear for rap flow and rhyming, yet there's still focus on the aspect of linear storytelling. Some songs are executed via a mature sense for what works melodically and from a musical perspective, other songs are more one-dimensionally structured on a lyrical foundation. The narrative takes its starting point in John Tonic and his hood, their experiences with drugs and (easy) money, John's connection to the underworld, and then on another level the narrative reveals John's aspirations as well as parts of his upbringing and adolescence.
With John Tonic & metalhjertet, Evigby provides us with a refreshing new take on a Danish hiphop tradition, which expands boundaries with a new blend of styles. Ultimately, this collection of songs and the conceptual idea also points to what purpose it serves to put Evigby in any genre category - to cite Louis Armstrong freely: "there's no such thing as style - there's only good or bad!" And to tell you the truth: this ain't bad at all! What's a real shame though, is how the local and national radio stations' near completely neglect to play what matters instead of playing what some powerful labels and a few distributors think people oughta listen to. Another thing restricting a more solid distribution of the music by Evigby is the fact that the album has not been released for download or in any physical format, yet. The album exists in its electronic format only on Splotify, on blApple Music, and on Soundcloud, but it's really a mighty recommended listen and one of this year's most exciting Danish releases.
I'm really looking forward to wherever Evigby goes from here.
[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 6 stars ]

12 June 2023

Ukendt Kunstner "Dansktop" (2023)

Dansktop
release date: May 12, 2023
format: vinyl / digital (11 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,04]
producer: Jens Ole McCoy
label: FortyFive / Universal Music - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Hena" - 2. "Dansktop" - 3. "Uden dig" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Gran Turismo" - 5. "Fastelavn" - 6. "Kerosin" - 7. "Stjernekigger" - 9. "Hele dagen" - 11. "For livet" (4,5 / 5)

3rd studio album from Danish rap-duo Ukendt Kunstner follows more than seven years after Den anden side (Feb. 2016). To the regret of half a nation, the two artists announced the end of their project in late '16 despite experiencing massive success. After this, they both concentrated on solo projects. Composer and producer Jens Ole McCoy especially became renowned for his musical scores to movies but also continued as producer, and Hans Philip, who had been the voice of the band, released two acclaimed solo albums before they dropped the bomb: without any rumours or announcements they released this very album and simultaneously declared they were back! Out of nowhere!! Sneaky, sneaky... wonderful guys!
Not only are they now back, but of course they're back with a musical statement. They don't repeat their previous sucesses but come out with a new sound - it's so much part of their instinct not to repeat. Dansktop is in every sense an original album. It doesn't just play along other rap-artists' styles and sound. These two have made their name and continue in a league of their own, and it appears they (can) do whatever they feel like. The album still brings back bits of the groove from their two previous albums, it takes up some of the fragility from Hans-Philips' solo albums, and then it comes out as something new. There's a simplicity to it but also a will to explore and experiment, and in either or any case: they are near sublime. So many Danish rap and hip hop artists walk around the same bushes, do the same mixes, employ the same productions, but this is just original material. Loved it from day one, and it only gets better!
Highly recommended!
[ Politiken, Gaffa.dk 5 / 6, 👍Soundvenue 4 / 5 stars ]

2023 Favorite releases: 1. Anohni and the Johnsons My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross - 2. Ukendt Kunstner Dansktop - 3. Sigur Rós Átta

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12 March 2023

Gorillaz "Cracker Island" (2023)

Cracker Island
release date: Feb. 23, 2023
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,65]
producer: Gorillaz and Greg Kurstin
label: Parlophone / Warner - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Cracker Island" (feat. Thundercat) - 2. "Oil" (feat. Stevie Nicks) (4 / 5) - 3. "The Tired Influencer" - 4. "Silent Running" (feat. Adeleye Omotayo) - 7. "Tarantula" (feat. Bad Bunny) - 9. "Skinny Ape"

8th studio album under the Gorillaz alias, Damon Albarn once again finds time and room to continue his virtual albeit quite succesful band whenever he's not consuming time with The Good, The Bad & The Queen, or producing stuff for Blur, or he's doing solo projects. The majority of the songs are credited Albarn and new producer Greg Kurstin, but as has become the usual working process, several tracks are co-written with various others. On this it's primarily artists of hip hop and rap. Also, longtime associate Remi Kabaka Jr. is co-producer on four tracks and co-composer on track #8, which also feature Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny (aka Benito Martinez). Track #1 feature Thundercat (aka Stephen Bruner), track #5 feature both Tame Impala and Bootie Brown - the latter first featured on a Gorillaz' single on the track "Dirty Harry" on the band's second album, and then the album also feature two major artists: Stevie Nicks on vocals exclusively on track #2 and Beck (aka Beck Hansen), also as co-composer, on the end track.
Albarn just never seems to disappoint. In contemporary popular music he acts like a fish in water. Whatever he's involved in comes out as right on current parameters for music in tune with what's being asked for. He's no entertainer in a traditional sence, but he certainly knows how to produce entertaining music. At a first listen I thought this one - for once - wasn't quite there, on the spot. But after a few spins, I have to confess, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Cracker Island. It's funky, and it's danceable and entertaining as f...., and thanks to the decision not to dwell on an earlier will to write and compose with various artists from (too) diverse genres and styles, the album is with aid from Remi and Kurstin the experience of one whole rather than a compilation of sorts - as his nonetheless great predecessor Song Machine, Season One - Strange Timez from 2020.
The album has found its way to the top of the British albums chart and has generally been well-received internationally.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Clash, NME, 👍The Guardian 4 / 5, PopMatters 4,5 / 5, 👎Pitchfork 6,5 / 10 stars ]

05 October 2020

Kesi "BO4L" (2020)

BO4L
release date: Jul. 31, 2020
format: digital (Deluxe) (15 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Hennedub
label: Disco:wax - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 2. "Niveauer" - 3. "Tilbage" (feat. Hennedub) - 4. "Ik tænk" (feat. Benny Jamz) (4 / 5) - 5. "Blå himmel" (feat. Hans Philip) (5 / 5) - 6. "Snak lidt med mig" (4,5 / 5) - 7. "Baku" (feat. ICEKIID) - 9. "Forretning" (feat. Sivas) - 10. "Hygger mig pt. 2" (feat. Gilli) - 12. "Om igen" (feat. Noah Carter) (4 / 5)

3rd full-length studio album [or fourth when including his mixtape Ung hertug from 2013 to the list of albums] by Danish rapper Kesi (also stylised KESI, aka Oliver Kesi Chambuso) released on the Sony Music Scandinavian sublabel disco:wax and produced by Hennedub (aka Henrik Bryld Wolsing) - a usual suspect to Kesi and his associates. The album follows one year after the six-track ep 888 (2019) and five years after the full-length Barn af byen (2015). The title refers to and is the homage to the Danish music collective B.O.C. (aka Bomber Over Centrum / Bomber Over Copenhagen) - a short title for "Bomber Over (Centrum) For Life". The album is credited Kesi but many of his old friends from B.O.C. - Gilli, Benny Jamz, Kimbo, and Noah Carter participate on several tracks, and apart from these also Sivas and Hans Philip are featuring artists. The standard album runs just over 40 mins and the Deluxe Version contains two bonus tracks making it a 15-track album just below 46 mins.
The whole album appears as a look down memory lane, and more so than the usual rap lyrics about sex and drugs, although, you basically find all kind of existential subjects in this broad collection, which is mostly held together in a tight yet wide style of grime and trap. The album starts off with the intro BO4L, and with an older sound clip featuring a young Oliver (Kesi himself) telling a reporter how he has just quit secondary school to concentrate on his music career and about his hopes for the future and his dream about being the best Danish rapper. In several songs, Kesi takes us back to school days, to a harder time but also to days of his musical foundation, when everything was all new, unknown and yet falling into place.
Some compositions are echoing and sound like sequels of older Kesi hit songs, some are expressive up-tempo dancepop related like many of his recent (hit) single releases and others are near ballad-like and introspective - which shows us a new side to his talent. Sound-wise, it's a top-of-the-art production and an impressively coherent collection despite the many stylistic ingredients.
In a time when Danish rap may be looking for replacements for Ukendt Kunstner, Kesi sums up his strengths and simply jumps several steps up the ladder and positions himself as the current best Danish rapper.
Highly recommended and a strong contender to album of the year.
[ Politiken, Soundvenue 5 / 6, Gaffa.dk 4 / 6 stars ]

2020 Favorite releases: 1. Gorillaz Song Machine, Season One - Strange Timez - 2. Kesi BO4L - 3. I Break Horses Warnings

23 March 2017

Ukendt Kunstner "Den anden side" (2016)

Den anden side
release date: Feb. 29, 2016
format: digital (11 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Jens Ole McCoy
label: Sony BMG Music - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Den anden side" (4 / 5) - 2. "Lige nu" (feat. S!vas) - 3. "Mand over bord" (feat. Track72) - 4. "Lange nætter" - 5. "Et andet niveau" (feat. Kesi) - 6. "Ingen hører" (4,5 / 5) - 7. "Baby" - 8. "Ingen problemer" (4 / 5) - 9. "Soma" - 10. "Jesu blod" - 11. "Overleve" (4 / 5) (live)

2nd studio album by Danish duo Ukendt Kunstner consisting of rapper Hans Phillip and musical composer and producer Jens Ole McCoy. Alas, later in 2016 the two announced that they would stop working as Ukendt Kunstner. They have truly renewed hip hop and rap on a national level with an international and unique sound. They have managed to add new dimensions to the tradition of Danish lyrics with poetic narratives on everyday life bound together with a distinct simple and yet broad sound. They shall truly be missed.
The album is slightly more stripped down and laid-back compared to the debut, and it displays an even stronger emphasis on the lyrical side - it's way up there, almost as great, maybe even better? Perhaps in a matter of months I will consider this bettering the 2014 album but for now it's clearly the best Danish album in 2016.
I have awaited a cd version of the album, but it never came and most likely never will be issued. Unfortunately. This new tendency seem to be the new way to launch albums, and Den anden side has only been issued as a download album at 320kps. Why no FLAC-files or high fidelity formats for people who care about sound quality?
[ Gaffa.dk, Berlingske 4 / 6 stars ]

2016 Favourite releases: 1. Tindersticks The Waiting Room - 2. Ukendt Kunstner Den anden side - 3. Bob Mould Patch the Sky

07 February 2017

Best of 2011:
The Streets "Computers and Blues" (2011)

Computers and Blues
release date: Feb. 7, 2011
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,22]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 / Locked On - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 3. "Roof of Your Car" (5 / 5) - 4."Puzzled by People" (4 / 5) - 5. "Without Thinking" (4 / 5) - 6. "Blip on a Screen" - 7. "Those That Don't Know" - 8. "Soldiers" - 9. "We Can Never Be Friends" - 11. "OMG" (4 / 5) - 12. "Trying to Kill M.E." - 13. "Trust Me" (4,5 / 5) - 14. "Lock the Locks" (feat. Clare McGuire) (5 / 5)

5th and final studio album release by The Streets. It just sounds silly to end this project at this point, and I really hope Mike returns with much more 'cause this is way too good. Yes, he did it again - didn't he just. Some argue this album has annoying hooks and tracks [!] - eh.. all music is about taste and not only do I find this in perfect line with The Streets' artistic profile - I also like it a lot! Yea, the geezer was fresh and came outta da blue with Original Pirate Material but this new one has fine and interesting music likewise. He's back with fine stories, witty jokes, delicate knife-cutting sarcasm that never leaves himself untouched, sing-a-long choruses and fine hooks 'n' riffs. It's really much better than the previous two releases that sound much alike, this one doesn't, and it's actually very much on par with the debut. This might be The Street end but it's no dead end - and Skinner takes off on top, now playing as The D.O.T. ...
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph 4 / 5 stars ]

2011 Favourite releases: 1. The Streets Computers and Blues - 2. Tom Waits Bad as Me - 3. Liz Green O, Devotion!


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24 January 2017

The Streets "Cyberspace and Reds" (2011)

Cyberspace and Reds (mixtape)
release date: Jan. 24, 2011
format: digital (13 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,42]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: self-released - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Came in Through the Door (feat. Kano)" (2,5 / 5) - 2. "4 O'clock" (3 / 5) - 3. "Don't Hide Away (feat. Wiley, Rinse and Ice Kid)" (2 / 5) - 9. "Breakbat Barz (Scru Fizzer)" (2 / 5)

A mixtape album by The Streets only made available as a download album in 320kbps MP3 format, and it features a different kind of music than what normally is associated with The Streets. The mixtape was released a month before the final album release but contains tracks Mike Skinner mixed after the completion of Computer and Blues, and reflects, according to himself, what he is concentrating on, as he already regards the final album as music of his past. Well, it may be a step into a new area for Skinner but it's not interesting to listen to. I merely find it sketches or unfinished mixes, experiments, more than much else, and not really comparable to his other studio albums.

15 December 2016

The Streets "Everything Is Borrowed" (2008)

Everything Is Borrowed
release date: Sep. 15, 2008
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,36]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 / Locked On - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Everything Is Borrowed" (4 / 5) - 5. "On the Flip of a Coin" - 7. "Never Give In" (3 / 5) - 9. "Alleged Legends" - 11. "The Escapist" (4 / 5)

4th studio album by The Streets follows 2½ years after The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (Apr. 2006). The album comes very close to the 2006 album, although, this appears lyrically brighter, more positive, and imho a bit better, as it contains at least two great tracks (the first and the end track), though, other tracks mostly leaves me indifferent.
[ allmusic.com, NME 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

29 September 2016

Outkast "Aquemini" (1998)

Aquemini
release date: Sep. 29, 1998
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Outkast, Organized Noize, Mr. DJ, Donny Mathis
label: LaFace - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 2. "Return of the 'G' " - 3. "Rosa Parks" - 4. "Skew It on the Bar-B" (feat. Raekwon) - 5. "Aquemini" - 8. "West Savannah" - 11. "Mamacita" - 12. "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" - 15. "Liberation"

3rd studio album by Outkast is an album controlled more by the duo of André Benjamin and Antwan Patton as primary producers and as arrangers of album concept and songs, which has been recorded with a wide range of featuring artists, who has also had influence on the writing process.
Stylistically, the duo experiments more with its style and incorporates all sorts of instruments on an album that maybe referred to as southern hip hop and conscious hip hop but also pays more attention on neo-soul than previously.
I didn't get to listen to the album before discovering their perhaps most wide-spread success with Speakerboxxx / The Love Below from 2003 and the acclaimed follow-up to this one, Stankonia from 2000, but I simply feel that "Aquemini" is the duo's best and best balanced album ever. Speakerboxxx... is the bolder move into popular music with its fusion of contemporary r&b, neo-soul and hip hop but also points in so many directions that you had absolutely no idea of where they'd go from there on. On the 2000 album they try to be more hardcore, but in essence that is also a fine album, though.
Recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine 5 / 5, Spin 4,5 / 5, Uncut, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

10 September 2016

The Streets "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living" (2006)

The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living
release date: Apr. 10, 2006
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 / Locked On - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Prangin Out" - 2. "War of the Sexes" - 3. "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living" - 7. "When You Wasn't Famous"

3rd studio album by The Streets following two years after the acclaimed A Grand Don't Come for Free (May 2004). Mike Skinner continues his original style and funny lyrics but the album was a bit of a obvious step down. Best track is "When You Wasn't Famous".
Despite my rating, the album was well-received by the public and like its predecessor it topped the albums chart in Britain.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]

12 August 2016

Best of 2014:
Ukendt Kunstner "Forbandede ungdom" (2014)

Forbandede ungdom [debut]
release date: May 12, 2014
format: digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,22]
producer: Jens Ole McCoy
label: Sony Music - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Begyndelsen" - 2. "Hun sagde" (feat. Karen) (4 / 5) - 3. "Feelings" - 4. "Alting / Ingenting" (4 / 5) - 5. "Fortæl dem" (feat. Lord Siva) (4 / 5) - 6. "Spor 6" - 7. "Boulevarden" - 8. "Daglige brød" (3,5 / 5) - 9. "Stein Bagger" (4 / 5) - 10. "Gennem byen" (4,5 / 5) - 11. "Englebarn" (feat. Caroline Henderson) - 12. "Kjærlighed" (4 / 5)

Full studio debut album by the Danish duo Ukendt Kunstner consisting of Hans Phillip on vocal and Jens Ole McCoy credited as producer. They have already released several eps, singles, and a fine mixtape in the span of just a few years.
It's nice and fine music the two produce, which loans from various artists like Tricky and Drake, but they still manage to make it sound quite unique in this blend of British and American styled conscious hip-hop, rap, r&b, and trip hop. Lyrically, they sing exclusively in Danish only, which is made in a subtle and artistic way, and subject-wise, I find that they have improved on this by distancing their stories and subjects from other Danish contemporaries, but also elevating Danish music to new standards in the rap and hip hop categories.

EDIT August 2016: In 2015 and early 2016 I still had the album in fourth place for 2014, then I placed it as third best, but I have slowly come to realise that's it's simply the best album, surpassing Bob Mould and Kent. The album has already become a certified Danish classic.

2014 Favourite releases: 1. Ukendt Kunstner Forbandede ungdom - 2. Kent Tigerdrottningen - 3. Sharon Van Etten Are We There

10 August 2016

Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp a Butterfly" (2015)

To Pimp a Butterfly
release date: Mar. 15, 2015
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,28]
producer: various
label: Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 6. "u" (3 / 5) - 7. "Alright" (3,5 / 5) - 13. "The Blacker The Berry" (3 / 5) - 16. "Mortal Man"

3rd studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar produced by a long list of prominent (rap-)producers. The genre and styles are rap, hip hop [or at the moment referred to as conscious hip hop, which is to say: lyrics with a social / political engagement - and I mean... whenever wasn't hip hop that?], west coast hip hop with elements of neo-soul, funk and jazz.
The album has been praised by critics, it has been nominated and attributed a bunch of prizes, and... I don't see the hype, the fuzz, the buzz, nor the brilliance of this. I just don't. Maybe I'm blind and deaf 'cause all I find is rather boring, mostly. Sometimes annoying, and to sum up: not really of any interest.
The album could work Okay as background noise (only), but it's not really recommended.

10 May 2016

The Streets "A Grand Don't Come for Free" (2004)

A Grand Don't Come for Free
release date: May 10, 2004
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,22]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 Recordings / Warner - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "It Was Supposed to Be so Easy" (4 / 5) - 2. "Could Well Be In" - 4. "Blinded by the Lights" (4 / 5) - 6. "Get Out of My House" (4 / 5) - 7. "Fit but You Know It" (4 / 5) - 9. "What Is He Thinking?" (5 / 5) - 10. "Dry Your Eyes" - 11. "Empty Cans"

2nd studio album by Mike Skinner's project The Streets, and it's a strong follow-up. Many consider this album the best ever by The Streets but I disagree on that. It's almost UK garage UK hip-hop in the same style as the debut, only, I think a few tracks are more contemporary r&b or pop / rock. "Blinded by the Lights" became a major video and single hit, and so was "Dry Your Eyes". Personally, I embraced "It Was Supposed to Be so Easy" as a more fascinating track, and "Fit but You Know It" is my favourite from this album.
This time, both critics and fans were prepared and the album peaked at number #1 on the UK chart list. A Grand Don't Come for Free is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and is often mentioned as Skinner's peak. The debut remains my favourite, perhaps because it's his first? Dunno; however, this is very close to match Original Pirate Material.
[ allmusic.com, Slant 4,5 / 5, Uncut, Q Magazine 5 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]

2004 Favourite releases: 1. Arcade Fire Funeral - 2. The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free - 3. Grant-Lee Phillips Virginia Creeper

25 March 2016

Best of 2002:
The Streets "Original Pirate Material" (2002)

Original Pirate Material [debut]
release date: Mar. 25, 2002
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,16]
producer: Mike Skinner
label: 679 / Locked On - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Turn the Page" (4 / 5) - 2. "Has It Come to This" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Let`s Push Things Forward" - 5. "Same Old Thing" - 6. "Geezers Need Excitement" (4 / 5) - 7. "It's Too Late" (4,5 / 5) - 8. "Too Much Brandy" - 9. "Don't Mug Yourself" (5 / 5) - 11. "The Irony of It All" - 12. "Weak Become Heroes" (4 / 5)

Studio album debut by the Mike Skinner solo project The Streets, and what a great release that is! Skinner is THE dominant figure behind the project, he wrote all tracks for the album and produced it on his own.
The album was well-received and came in at number #10 on the British albums chart list, but in a few years time it gained even more recognition, and today it's one of the highest ranked albums of the decade.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Uncut, and Drowned In Sound 5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

2002 Favourite releases: 1. The Streets Original Pirate Material - 2. Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights - 3. Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around

08 September 2015

Ukendt Kunstner "Neonlys" (2013)

Neonlys, mixtape
release date: Apr. 8, 2013
format: digital (10 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Jen Ole McCoy
label: selv-released download - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Profetien" - 2. "28 / 46" (4 / 5) - 3. "Neonlys" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Guld & diamanter" (3,5 / 5) - 5. "Lørdag aften" - 6. "Søndag morgen" - 7. "Langt væk" - 8. "F.P. Jac" - 9. "Fucking nummer" (4 / 5) - 10. "Drømme" (feat. Rebecca Christel) (4 / 5)

10-track "mixtape" as labelled by the duo Ukendt Kunstner made available as free download on the duo's homepage. Musically and lyrically, I think this is an improvement to their first double ep. This is much more like the 2014 (and actual) debut album. The music is more coherent, much more original, and the lyrics are elaborated in both rhyming, choruses verses, and in the narratives, although, the subjects are mostly about the same issues - which still point back to their first ep releases. It's songs about partying, girls, drugs, relationships, and sex. However, musically, this is stuffed with great tracks all held-together by an original flow.
The album is simply one of the best of its genre coming from Denmark at the moment.

20 March 2015

Ukendt Kunstner "Hælervarer" (2012), double ep

"Side A" cover
Hælervarer, double ep [debut]
release date: Sep. 20, 2012
format: digital (10 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Jens Ole McCoy
label: self-released - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist, "Side A": 1. "Pornografisk hukommelse" - 2. "København (feat. Murro)" (4 / 5) (live) - 3. "Kolumbine" - 4. "Ukronede Konger (feat. Gio)" - 5. "Uhyggeligt"
"Side B": 1. "M.A.E.R.S.K." - 2. "De sataniske vers" - 3. "Ingenting" (4 / 5) - 4. "Betonjunglen (feat. Gilli, Kimbo & Semih Automatisk)" - 5. "The Motto Freestyle"
[ Side A - Side B ]

Double ep debut by Ukendt Kunstner consisting of rapper Hans Phillip and composer and producer Jens Ole McCoy. Before establishing the duo, Hans Phillip was a solo grime rapper going by the monicker Skørmand. This album is a self-released double ep made available as two free download eps. It's a fine debut with nicely produced music, which may turn out as a mix between Drake, The Weeknd and Partynextdoor with a combo of Danish rap, although both The Weeknd and Partynextdoor weren't even around at this point. Yes, they seem inspired by American pop rap and alt. r&b, only, I find that the lyrics here are not that evolved (as they would later be). When it's good, it's pretty fine but sometimes it sounds like Danish rapper L.O.C. with lyrics about sex, drugs, women, and... sex - the typical hardcore hip hop subjects. It's rather superficial and (at times) downright tedious. However, the tracks "København" and "Ingenting" are truly fine and show a splendid original tone and musical direction, something they would later successfully elaborate on.
[ Soundvenue 4 / 6 stars ]

"Side B" cover

21 September 2014

The Prodigy "Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned" (2004)

Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned
release date: Aug. 23, 2004
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Liam Howlett
label: XL Recordings - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Spitfire" (feat. Juliette Lewis) - 4. "Get Up Get Off" (feat. Twista) - 5. "Hotride" (feat. Juliette Lewis)

4th studio album by The Prodigy released nearly seven years after the huge success with Fat of the Land (1997). The tracks are primarily written by Howlett and several tracks are co-written with Neil McLellan who also mixes, does programming, and adds vocals to several tracks, although, he has not been adopted as an official member. Musically, this is a 'back to the basics' of techno (which has much of its origins in the US), but it's also a continued journey into sampling and with much hip hop-inspiration.
To me this was a rather disappointing release. It's put together and produced by Howlett as usual, and both Flint and Maxim's vocals are missing. However, the mix with more original techno simply ruins the 'clean' British breakbeat and big beat somewhat. Some of the tracks are mere samplings of former The Prodigy hits, i.e. track #6 "Wake Up Call" is simply too close to "Firestarter". The album had no real single hits but sold rather well. Both Q Magazine and Rolling Stone only gave it a two-stars review, and allmusic.com handed it 2,5 to this their so far lowest point, which I agree on is a mediocre output. The best tracks feature Juliette Lewis (from Juliette and the Licks) on vocal.

01 September 2014

The Chemical Brothers "We Are the Night" (2007)

We Are the Night
release date: Aug. 2, 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: The Chemical Brothers
label: Freestyle Dust / Virgin - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 7. "The Salmon Dance (feat. Fatlip)" - 12. "The Pills Won't Help You Now (feat. Tim Smith)"

6th studio album by The Chemical Brothers following 2½ years after Push the Button (Jan. 2005). I think that many fans felt that The Chemical Bros were kind of hitting a career low point with the predecessor., although, everyone really wanted to work with the duo and they also featured and collaborated on other artists' works. On this, they welcome what appears as too many different artists, which is a sort of continued procedure from Push the Button, only for this one the guest artists play a more dominant part, which makes this one a bit of a bland experience. Klaxons feature on "All Rights Reversed" making the track sound more like Klaxons than The Chemical Brothers (which can't be good), and same goes for "Battle Scars (feat. Willy Mason)" - a rather strange electronic folk rock [!] composition.
The album cover is great, though! And the album still contains a few good tracks including track #12, and the best track: the hilarious hip-hop, rap, and big beat tune, track #7, The Salmon Dance (feat. Fatlip). The music video is another great achievement. But one great song doesn't save an album, which feels a bit off the target.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, PopMatters, The Guardian, Uncut 4 / 5 stars ]

15 August 2014

Danny Brown "XXX" (2011)

XXX
release date: Aug. 15, 2011
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: Skywlkr (and others)
label: Fool's Gold Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "XXX" - 2. "Die Like a Rockstar" - 3. "Pac Blood" - 6. "I Will" - 13. "DNA" - 15. "Party All the Time" - 16. "EWNESW"

3rd studio album by Detroit rapper Danny Brown [aka Daniel Dewan Sewell] is an original hardcore hip hop and slightly experimental hip hop album. DB doesn't add much new to the genre as he raps 'bout his lifestyle, the negative stuff, drugs, ODs, and girls. That's pretty much within the frame of hip hop, right`? But Brown has his flow, a strict (almost industrial) production, and a nice touch with experimental influences, which are quite secondary here but they contribute to his style. With Brown it's not about making single hits with sing-along chorus and nice hooks as much as presenting his sonic style.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, URB 4 / 5 stars ]