Oddly Specific

Tinashe- Songs For You: This album is the triumph of the year. Usually when an artist gets dropped from a label and puts out an album with a hodgepodge of sounds, it doesn’t bode well. But once again, Tinashe flips the script. We got a danceable left field single with a British rapper, a morose midtempo with a big ticket feature, some songs that do a 180 in the middle (out of necessity), more raps from Tinashe, some synth pop moments of glory, and even an acoustic song, but it all sounds great. Even a G Eazy feature couldn’t keep her down! In a time where ‘cohesive’ means doing the same song over and over and music videos mean filmed photoshoots, Tinashe shows she is resourceful as she is talented. While the title was almost as generic as a self titled one, it became a great pop showcase for her.

Sharon Van Etten- Remind Me Tomorrow: I tried listening to her once before but nothing stuck. Compared to the 90’s alt rock scene, 2000’s singer songwriters had it so much harder to make an impact. How could you compete with Alanis’ sales, Gwen’s style, Fiona’s chic, PJ’s camp, and Courtney’s personality in the iTunes world? Fortunately, this album gave me a new look at her and I’m glad. A throwback 80’s and 90’s sound with a theme of growing up felt really appropriate for the end of the decade. Seventeen and Comeback Kid feel like they were genetically engineered for any coming of age playlist but Sharon understands the parts of growing up where you’re leaving behind your youth but you don’t really know who you would be as a mature and independent adult compared to all the “wow isn’t it so weird that we’re growing up but global warming is going on? haha that’s dope” style songs. No One’s Easy to Love reminds me of New by No Doubt and Jupiter also has a different electronic vibe. I love the haunting vibe of Memorial Day. I’m starting to like Sharon’s older stuff too, like Serpents. Fortunately, she plays around with this synth heartland vibe in her 2020's projects.

Orville Peck- Pony:  At the time, this album was such a gamechanger. Who was this mysterious masked singer (no pun intended) with the voice of Roy Orbison? Normally, when we get “throwback” vocalists, they just sound like karaoke jukebox musical tributes of the original era but Orville Peck added a unique alternative sound. Sure, on later albums he goes for a more straight forward country and at times, pop sound, but this first album was amazing. I would recommend it if you like Kitchens of Distinction, Yo La Tengo, REM, or Chris Isaak. My favorites are Buffalo Run, Dead of Night, Turn to Hate, and Hope to Die. 

Cowgirl Clue- Icebreaker: The duchess of drum and bass. When I first listened to Dragons by Princess Nokia, I felt like I was transported into a video game. Unfortunately, besides Little Star by Madonna, nobody came anywhere close to that feeling and drum and bass was usually limited to instrumental remixes that aren’t on streaming, let alone short pop songs. Cowgirl Clue stampeded over the rest of the drum and bass scene but mixed it with the futuristic sensibilities of the PC music scene. Unexpected rookie of the year. This album is almost endearingly sweet and innocent compared to how wild her next 2 albums get. My favorite songs are Figure 8, All Up 2 U, and Hella Faerie.

Tamaryn- Dreaming the Dark: This New Zealand singer songwriter does dream pop/shoegaze with a Wall of Sound twist. With the 80’s atmospheric production and over emotional (read: not overly produced) singing, I think this album has room as a cult favorite for the forum. My personal favorites are Fits of Rage, Angels of Sweat, and Path to Love. 

Jenny Lewis- On the Line: I don’t think I can ever fully open up to any new country act because Jenny is my go to for country pop. Although the sound is different, this reminds me of Honey by Robyn thematically. There’s great storytelling on Heads Will Roll, which lets you know right away that this album will be a cathartic rollercoaster. Wasted Youth is more similar to The Voyager era upbeat Jenny, while Red Bull and Hennessy is another strong example of Jenny’s gifted pop hooks and detailed lyrics.

Chastity Belt- This decade, rock went indie. There isn’t anything loud like numetal, grunge, stadium rock, or progressive rock. It’s more sensitive, Bandcamp is the primary method of distribution, it can resemble an ASMR video more than a classic rock station, and the band names are all ironic things involving sports, the words “mommy” or “daddy”, or something shocking or a lame pun. Chastity Belt is a lot of these things but despite being the poster child for post modern irony, they somehow persevered. I’ve gradually liked them more with each album to the point where this one was an immediate hit for me. It has sparse lyrics that can be applied to anything in your life. It Takes Time is my favorite song on the album. Other highlights include Rav4, Drown, Ann’s Jam, and Effort, which reminds me a lot of Pale Saint’s A Thousand Stars Burst Open. Elena is also another favorite, which is a tribute to the series My Brilliant Friend and a reflection on friendship. Julia Shapiro’s solo debut is also worth listening to if you like dream pop or 90’s 4AD and singer songwriters. 

Sleater Kinney- The Center Won't Hold: My experience with Sleater Kinney has been a wild one. I first knew Carrie from Portlandia, and thought she was hilarious there. Then I got their reunion single from the last era for free from Starbucks and tried to force myself to like Sleater Kinney, even if it wasn’t clicking for me. I feel like they had annoying vocal tics like try hard British accents (I don’t know how to describe it, but it was just too much). Then, I got into The Hot Rock as well as some previous side projects like Excuse 17 and Heavens to Betsy and I really enjoyed those. I went into this album with a fresh mindset and was happy to hear about St. Vincent working with them. All of you know the story better than I do but the making of this album had some drama. This album was more synth pop and snubbed band member Janet who controversially left before their tour started and soon was in a car accident. But you know what? I still liked this album. I guess I wasn’t a longtime fan so it was easier for me to accept it. My favorites include The Dog/The Body and Can I Go On.

Jamila Woods- Legacy! Legacy!: Neo soul with different sounds like dance and rap and electronic. Having a history concept album can seem impersonal on paper, but I like learning about different Black figures and seeing what Jamila has learned from them. In the internet era where digital blackface can turn someone like Eartha Kitt into just a ~sassy Tumblr reaction, Jamila at least gives a starting point to learn more. My favorite tracks on the album are Betty (both versions), Octavia, Eartha, and Basquiat.

Angel Olsen- All Mirrors: After her crossover-ish 2016 album My Woman, Angel Olsen put out the polar opposite album. Dark, theatrical vocals and dramatic. Very Lynchian. The title track and New Love Cassette are my favorites. This album soundtracked my fall anxiety of desperately trying to beat the holiday freeze for finding a new job and dealing with a sinking feeling as the days grew shorter and colder.

Lion Babe- Cosmic Wind: I’m confused at the lack of attention they’ve received. I’ve seen people describe them as Erykah Badu making dance music and that’s the best way to describe it. West End World and Honey are the stand outs from the album.

Tennis System- Lovesick: Shoegaze peaked early in its existence and technology didn’t help it, largely because everything became too clear to get the same muffled and unclear sound.This decade had some contenders but Tennis System is probably one of my favorites. I found out about them through Allmusic, which I didn’t think would give me such a good recommendation for something like this. The cover favors My Bloody Valentine, if you needed some more convincing. My favorite song on the album is Turn, which balances its distortion with a catchy chorus. The title track is also good.

The Drums- Brutalism: I think there's a bias against early 2010's indie music because the key reviewers are embarrassed at things they liked in college and this stigma follows around bands like Best Coast or The Drums. I heard about The Drums from Shazaming a song once in a Macy’s clearance section and I thought they were pleasant 80’s revival stuff but nothing extraordinary. Now, they have more personality. Jonathan Pierce is the only member left and he is more comfortable with who he is by giving more interviews about his coming out and experiences. This album follows the tried and true sad/tired vocals over happy music. It feels like music made for longing and daydreaming. My favorites include 626 Bedford Avenue and Body Chemistry. I would recommend if you like power pop band Orange Peels.

Yola- Walk Through Fire: Yola is a wonderfully talented musician but in the Internet era of music she can get lost under the “good singer curse” where someone with talent and great songs will get lost in a Curtains for Zoosha universe. On her debut, she had a great nostalgic country soul sound produced by Dan Auerbach. My favorite songs are Faraway Look, I Don't Wanna Lie, and Love All Night. I would recommend her if you like Brittany Howard, Nicole Atkins, or Adele.

Carly Rae Jepsen- Dedicated: As a “mindie” artist, Carly is in a league of her own for commercial and critical acclaim. Does she compete with smaller artists or people who actually chart? After Emotion, Carly had an especially rough uphill battle. This time, she came back with an album as sleek as its cover. It reminds me of the Alternatino sketch about the woobie robot who just makes its owner feel guilty for having it for the “cracks are visible in the emotional foundation” vibe. No Drug Like Me feels like an announcement to tell us that she left the world of “Favorite Color” and “Store” behind. Everything He Needs is a song about obsession that waters down vaporwave for people outside of the blogosphere.

Best of the rest: What, you thought I was gonna leave it here? Here are reviews that were not fully done, were EPs, or would otherwise make the collage a weird number that would look uneven:

Baby Tate- A great pop rap album that doesn't wear out its gimmick.

Roy Blair- I thought Roy Blair’s 2017 album was good but that he’d only be good at bedroom pop music, but this EP has Fantazia, one of the best dance/UK Garage songs of the decade. I never thought he could make a left field dance song that’s cool. I hope he continues this sound.

Poppy- Hidden identities. Toxic male music producers. Accusations of stalking, breaking and entering, and psychological abuse. Doxxing journalists’ phone numbers. Starting a fan network called The Church. These all sound like plots from Melrose Place, but they’re incidents from Youtube’s Poppy, who has been replaced, changed her stage name, and updated her sound. Originally singing Mac DeMarco covers and Gwen Stefani soundalikes, Poppy channeled her IRL jumpscare persona into her newest career phase: Numetal pop fusion artist. This doesn’t include the ambient album she released. While others are tepid with trying a bold sonic change, Poppy goes all out. (I know I said I don't listen to her anymore but I thought the review was funny enough).

Beabadoobee- I first heard her on Music Choice and thought that her name was weird and that I’d never remember it, but using my surface level knowledge of Pavement, I was able to look up her Stephen Malkimus song and find her other stuff. When I listened to the rest of her EPs, I thought Wowee Zowee at this great 90’s sounding pop rock from a teen. I later heard her at Urban Outfitters so I can only hope she becomes way bigger. I like Apple Cider and Are You Sure the most by her.

Kilo Kish- While others will clamor on about how the new project they’re working on will feature a new sound and is state of the art, ahead of its time, and a complete new sound, Kilo just goes ahead and does it. Kilo follows up 2018’s Mothe with another electro industrial pop EP.

Total Sell out by Jae Stephens- Normally I hate and don’t count repackaged EPs as albums but this is such a triumph for Jae that I can overlook it. Jae has been making “real” music since 2019 but an internet celebrity since 2012 and over here she excels at a fun Neptunes inspired pop project. 10110, SMH, and the previously released Body Talk are my favorites.

Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams- This album wins the 2025 The Great Impersonator award for summer-to-fall vibe shift indicator. I don’t even know what made this album click for me compared to her previous solo stuff but I guess it was the marketing that drew me in. The moody and reflective lyrics combine the experimental and atmospheric work from the previous Paramore album. Glum, Mirtazapine, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, and Parachute are my favorites.

She Comes from Nowhere by Neggy Gemmy- Feels like an alien doing a genre study of pop music and going back to its home planet and recreating it. Neggy Gemmy is an indie pop veteran who is pretty underrated. You can hear indie pop, sophistipop, baggy, drum n bass, trip hop, and more. Recommend if you like George Clanton, Art Angels, Saint Etienne. Mysterious Girl reminds me of Whistle Song by Frankie Knuckles. Doll reminds me of the sample from Where I’m From by Digable Planets. Mysterious Girl is a cool house highlight.

Through the Wall by Rochelle Jordan- Rochelle follows up her previous alternative R&B project with a more upbeat house one. She keeps her heavenly vocals and passion for experimentation. Ladida, The Boy, On 2 Something, TTW, and Eyes Shut are my favorite songs.

Sister by Frost Children- 2010 in the most unhinged way possible. The sibling duo put out 10 bonkers electrohouse inspired songs and called on collaborators to help. My favorites are Sister, Ralph Lauren, and 2love.

Moisturizer by Wet Leg- The polarizing band added some members and went for a more conventional sound but sounds better. The first song makes you think the whole album will be early 2000’s post punk revival worship but there are still softer sounds like Pokemon, Mangetout, Pillow Talk, and Don’t Speak.

Never Enough by Turnstile- I first checked out their previous album in 2021 because reviews made it sound more versatile but it looks like I was 1 album too early. Now this album? This is definitely their crossover record. Seein’ Stars sounds like the Police. Never Enough is a great rock moment and I Care is euphoric.

Rave Immortal by Alt Blk Era- Catchy danceable electronic rock music. I need to stop with the cultural references but this is very “Myspace crunkcore band that was panned and gets reevaluated”. Hunt You Down is a sleek synth song. I also like My Drummer’s Girlfriend, Run Rabbit Run, and Come on Outside, which has a more sincere vibe.

Who's the Clown by Audrey Hobert- Normally I wouldn’t listen to a nepo baby who has given us Gracie Abrams but running into her on Vevo and then hearing her music made me enjoy this confessional, funny, pop rock album. Sex and the City, Sue Me, Thirst Trap, and Bowling Alley are my personal favorites. I recommend this album for former gifted children living at home.

Charli XCX- In the end, it was always going to be Brat, wasn’t it? Return of Saturn album with club music is a smart subversion. Other people have probably better comments on the influences but this is the fastest a Charli album grew on me since Number 1 Angel. I loved the collabs (apparently not enough to know it was 4.99 for both editions of the album since the first week it came out on iTunes), the marketing, you name it. The whole album is packed with hits but my favorites are Von Dutch, Club Classics, B2B, 365, Guess, I Think About it All the Time, Sympathy is a Knife, and Rewind. 

Halsey- Halsey has grown on me more with each project, leading me to assume that her Trent Reznor produced album would be my favorite one because it would be a one time thing. Thankfully, that’s not true. I’m not the biggest Halsey stan, but I’ve seen people talk about their identity a lot, like misc Tumblr stories, being a “hipster” while collaborating with the Chainsmokers, and very wide range of musical influences, which makes her treated/perceived unfairly. Halsey intentionally/unintentionally spins this on its head by having a biographical and personal album with Halsey’s influences having their heart on their sleeves. My favorites are Arsonist and Lonely is the Muse.

Cece Natalie- Indie version of Brat. If 2009 was an album. 754, Taxi, Cappucino, and Waitress are my favorites. A bedroom pop that came out of nowhere that I only learned about from RateYourMusic. Recommended if you got into Formspring trauma that still impacts you to this day. She had a 2nd project in 2024 as well. 

Porter Robinson- Last year (2024) was a year where a lot of personal and societal milestones did not happen, but I guess it ended up being the year I got into Porter Robinson. I never knew him in his DJ era, his 2021 album (side note: Learning I have grouped him and AG cook together as the same person) or his retro inspired Virtual Self side project (Do you know any electronic projects going for a late 90’s/early 2000’s sound? DM me!) or that he was sampled by Mariah but it turns out that adding some rock to his sound helped me like him more. My favorites include Cheerleader, Kitsune Maison Freestyle, and Is There Really Any Happiness?

BlackStarKids- Hip hop trio that blends everything from hyperpop to drum and bass to jazzier live instruments. Singing about imaginative and personal lyrics. Respectfully, they sound like an internet poisoned Digable Planets. Recommended if you like Brockhampton. My favorite song is Saturn Dayz but I also like The Emancipation of Stevie Wonder, Love is a Moshpit, and Stereotype. 

Megan the Stallion- This following sentence is peak “writing just to write”-best-of-itis but somehow this album was more consistent, personal, and dare I say, dark, to me than her prior albums which were closer to the shooting. My favorites include Hiss, Otaku Hot Girl, Mamushi, and BAS. Megan did not fall for the weak self titled album trap. 

Roy Blair- I first learned about Roy Blair from Brockhampton (remember them?) from Twitter(remember that?) and enjoyed his 2017 indie pop debut and 2020 left field electronic EP but never kept up with him after. He came back with a new album that expands on the drum and bass and UK garage sound from his EP. Amberwood, Panavision, and Plum are my favorites. Recommended if you like PinkPanthress.

The Cure- At this point, the way I listen to music is so messy where I just skip reunion albums because of time. The Cure was able to sneak by because I actually heard their singles for the album (I usually skip any single for any pre album at this point because I don’t want to be spoiled by 5/9ths of a tracklist in an 18 month launch. Yes, I’m aware that this sounds very High Fidelity, and I’ve missed random singles that don’t make tracklists but I told you I was messy). Although the songs are long, they never overlast their stay. I’m not going to have the audacity to describe The Cure’s vocals to you but they sound the same as they did on Disintegration or Wish. Alone and Fragile Thing are highlights.

MJ Lenderman- Country tinged slacker rock from the Wednesday guitarist. She’s Leaving You, Wristwatch, and Bark at the Moon which sounds like a country Diamond Sea by Sonic Youth, are my favorites. 

Allie X- Allie has tried sounds all over indie pop but my favorite is her foray into dark disco. A lot of people have been doing it since the disco revival started (which is different from nu disco) and I’ve either been let down or they turned out to be a loser (like that certain shellfish lady who couldn’t help herself…). Galina and Weird World are highlights.

Twikipedia- Shoegaze with a sugar rush. Although I just learned about them this year, this is their 5th album. Very accessible indietronica/emo which is surprising because they are a 20 year old from Brazil and their earlier albums are digicore or emo rap. Recommended if you like Yeule, Jane Remover, or Asian Glow and Weatherday. Figure Me Out is my favorite track on the album.

Joey Valence and Brae- Pastiche oriented rap where the sum is greater than the parts. Beastie Boys or Bad Boy Chiller Crew fans would enjoy this album. OK, the Baddest, and John Cena are my highlights.

Slater- No, not that one. Genre bending band from Vada Records. 8 tracks but covers a lot of ground. Listen if you like Cowgirl Clue, 100 gecs, or Frost Children. FM Thoughts is very Soundcloud rap, Familia reminds me of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Santa Ana Bounce is chill. Water Calling and Always down for something remind me of Sublime.

Beabadoobee- After trying a more idiosyncratic indie pop album, Beabadoobee went back to her trademark turn of the millennium lite-fm throwback sound. My favorites include Take a Bite, California, and Real Man. 

Fontaines DC- The Irish band continues to broaden their sounds from post punk. My favorites include trip hop sounding album opener Romance, and Supernatural era Foster the People-sounding Favorite.

Sabrina Carpenter- I was literally the last person to the party for Sabrina, so I don’t have to make the sales pitch but I’m still amazed at the odds of the best friend from the Boy Meets world reboot making it 6 albums into her career, especially after the Driver’s License stuff. Anyway, she put out a genuinely fantastic album with funny lyrics and genre flourishes like country or Atlanta bass. This Carpenter nailed the record. My favorites are Don’t Smile, Lie to Girls, and the singles. 

Micah Daley White- I think I only found out about this album through playing with the genre chart on RYM which I think is unfair because it’s a very strong debut by a social media personality. It’s a very original and unique set of music although the short song lengths feel a little more vision board-y at times. He has a great, deep voice that work through all the different styles he uses on the album whether it's rock, pop, or R&B. My favorites are Cold, Lust, On, Why Do You Take Me So Serious? I googled for a Bandcamp link and found a Gofundme instead, so we better work on that. 

Tinashe- Tinashe continues proving RCA wrong by putting out her patented unique brand of R&B. This EP features accidental hit Nasty as well as my favorites, Red Flag and When I Get You Alone. It’s hard to complain about short EP releases when they’re this consistent. 

Cassandra Jenkins- Minimal singer songwriter. Listen if you loved Norman Rockwell by Lana Del Rey but dropped her after her question for the culture. My favorites on the album are Clams Casino and Delphinium Blue.

Amira Elfeky- If Lonely is the Muse by Halsey was spun off into a whole album. Some might say this is too on the nose for Deftones tributes, but this Palestinian singer really goes all out. Coming Down and A Dozen Roses are my favorites. Listen if you want to pre-claim a post grunge revival or have read too many RYM threads about butt rock.

Toro y Moi- After being a leading pioneer for chillwave, Toro Y Moi kind of lost some clout because he tried more organic music and had a few “can’t we all just get along?” takes. Him trying his hand at cloud rap sounds like it would be a mess on paper, but it somehow works. There’s even a Ben Gibbard appearance on the album! My favorites are Hollywood, Heaven, and Tuesday. 

Vitesse X- The last time Vitesse X made it to my best of list, I praised her as being the most electronic artist ever and being a straightforward DJ but funnily enough, this time she changed to a more indie guitar based sound that you can still chill out to. My favorite is Something in the Air.

Lion Babe- This pivot towards house music might’ve come as a shock towards long time Lion Babe fans, especially me, who didn’t know about their 2021 album. Nice, sincere dance music with a great use of Jillian’s vocals. In My Bag and Take a Break are highlights.

 Doechii- The former tiktoker had her break out year with this project. Catchy, personal, inventive, humorous storytelling. With pop fans becoming more interested in rap, I’m curious to see if people can start to pay attention to different genres or scenes but I think this can be a gateway project for Southern influenced rap for pop fans. Denial is a River and Nissan Altima are my favorites. 

Rico Nasty- Intrusive

I heard good things about Rico Nasty for years but her other projects were a little too repetitive for me to fully commit or enjoy her work. This mixtape sees her replacing her industrial rap sound with a more varied approach. She sings over drum and bass and acoustic music. If you enjoyed Princess Nokia’s Metallic Butterfly or Azealia Banks’ Broke with Expensive Taste, then I recommend this album for you. My favorite songs are Messy, Easy, and Focus on Me.

Sasami- Squeeze

After her work in Cherry Glazer and her 2019 solo debut, Sasami finally (somewhat) broke through with this album and it’s no wonder why. Mixing influences as varied as Sheryl Crow and industrial, Sasami showed us about opening up your heart or wanting to destroy someone else’s. My favorites are The Greatest and Skin a Rat.

Charli XCX- Crash

As her first proper album since 2019’s Charli, this album had a lot of expectations placed upon it since True Romance is her best received official album. Fortunately, it all worked out for her and for us. This album sounds like you are scrolling through the Dance Dance Revolution song selecting screen around 2005 with songs you don’t realize you know until you hear it again years later. My favorites are Constant Repeat, Used to Know Me, Selfish Girl, Good Ones, Baby, and of course, Beg for You. 

Beyonce- Renaissance

This album was a victory lap for Beyonce. Not that she slacked off this era, but after creating two innovative video albums, Beyonce wanted to have a more upbeat album after the pandemic. As someone who prefers her uptempos (in a fun club kid way, like Haunted, 7/11, Formation, Six Inch, and Partition instead of the stan wars “go back to Dr. Luke!!111” way), I’m here for it. My favorites include All Up in Your Mind and Pure Honey.

SZA- SOS

I have a general policy where if someone takes over 4 years to release their next project, I develop some kind of object impermanence about them. Not even maliciously, but for every Sky Ferreira (side note: This was written when we still thought Don’t Forget was a part of an era) or My Bloody Valentine, there’s a synthpop band from 2016 that stubbornly sits on the second page of my Last.FM with 189 plays. And I like SZA! CTRL got me though 2017 and 2018 but I completely forgot her rerelease and in between singles until I was preparing this review. So when I heard she was releasing a 20+ track album I was skeptical. It turned out to be great. I enjoy the developed and detailed instruments and her personal lyrics. My favorite songs are Kill Bill, Blind, Shirt and Gone Girl.

Fontaines DC- Skinty Fia

Fontaines DC had a well deserved bigger break out in 2022. I don’t really have a thing to say about this album but I like the way they mix post punk music with a mix of their own Irish culture and gothic and industrial sounds. What could’ve just been a couple of lads at the pub is a unique and informative look at the band and their culture. U2 and Inhaler are shaking. My favorite songs are Jackie Down the Line, Skinty Fia, and How Cold Love Is.

Vero- Unsoothing Interior

I learned about Vero on Popjustice… at least 5 years ago? For a while, it seemed like they would drop a single heavily influenced by Poe and disappear without a follow up or any momentum. I understand it’s hard for new artists to make things work logistically, but they even had repetitive cover art so we couldn’t just joke that there was a wait between the EP and debut. That’s why I was so confused when the album was dropped in 2022. Hailing all the way from Sweden, Vero has vocals that remind me of Shirley Manson and Kim Gordon with post punk music I heard NPR describe (someone else) with the term “fleabag-core”. My favorite songs are Sex and Me and TV shows and Exit 2.

Coco and Clair Clair- Sexy

People always say nostalgia does too much heavy lifting in music now, but the right references can truly justify the most Tweet Deck derivative works. Coco and Clair Clair, who I was very surprised to learn are from Atlanta instead of the UK, have a very retro inspired album that could’ve just been lost in the hyperpop Y2K space with everyone else but they have a different reference pool that elevates them. Hypnotic girl group whispery vocals over whispery chillwave and drum n bass beats truly take me back to the person I was in 2011-2012. If you have a Tumblr photoblog with a convoluted layout that only showed pictures and no captions, this album is for you. If you keep up with McBling depop, this album is for you. If you ever described LAMB by Gwen Stefani as a hip hop album, then this album is for you. I would recommend this album for fans of Kitty and Niki and the Dove. My favorite songs from it are Bad Lil Vibe, Pop Star, and Be With U.

Alvvays- Blue Rev

I didn’t really listen to them before this and I only knew them for the …unique spelling of their band name and a Tumblr post that heavily implied that they should be kept in 2014. Well, this album should put all of their critics to shame. This album was recorded after the band lost their old demos and instruments in a robbery and they were still able to record this album. Pairing dreamy landscapes over fuzzy guitars, Molly Rankin’s confessional lyrics deal with the unexpected nostalgia of running into your ex’s family members in public (a sort of Dan Fogelberg moment for our generation) or justifying a creative career. Besides Pharmacist and Easy on your Own, I recommend Very Online Guy, a leftfield song about male internet behaviors (a self drag, but I want to see how many men wrote about that song and the album). If you only know them from Marry Me, Archie (a song I would personally not leave in a time capsule or box set for indie pop music from 2010-2014), I strongly suggest that you give this album a chance. Fun fact: In addition to being a great meeting spot for coanchors to meet each other, Good Morning America also has a year end best of list and put this as their #1 album. A few years ago, they put the solo project of Soul Coughing’s frontman’s project. So maybe GMA is our new Pitchfork, NME, and Spin Magazine combined (side note: I wrote this before the Pitchfork reshuffle happened, oops).

Shygirl- Nymph

Shygirl has finally released her long awaited debut after releasing her stellar debut. This time, she ditches the electronic and abrasive sound of her 2018 EP and enters her Manny Santos sensual R&B era while still sounding futuristic. Firefly is a song that sounds like it was a Britney 2001 deep cut dusted off and released in 2172. Nike is my other personal stand out.

Hatchie- Giving the World Away

On her sophomore album, Hatchie continues her dream pop and shoegaze sound and expands into some darker palettes that wouldn’t be out of place on the altronica playlist. If that album transported you into a daydream, this album is a moody walk in the rain. My favorites are This Enchanted, Till We Run Out of Air, and Giving the World Away.

Soccer Mommy- Sometimes, Forever

This was sort of a new sound album for Soccer Mommy, with a little more focus on the production. Working with OPN, she had a darker, hazier, more detail oriented production. My favorites include Unholy Affliction, Don’t Ask Me, Feel it All the Time, and Darkness Forever (which gave me Portishead’s second album vibes). This album is more Madder Rose than Massive Attack but you should still give it a shot.

Momma- Household Name

Nostalgic guitar based indie rock that sounds right out of 1994. Reverb guitars, harmonics, and shoegaze pedals. Recommended if you like Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins or Bully’s debut. Speeding 72, Lucky, Brave and No Stage are my favorites. 

Luna Li-  Duality

Psychedelic alternative R&B with a chamber/art/baroque pop edge. I love how she mixes her vulnerability on songs like Flower with strong guitar moments like Alone but not Lonely and What You’re Thinking. This album feels like if you mixed Kali Uchis with Kadjha Bonet. Recommended if you have only used emojis as captions.

Kilo Kish- American Gurl

Kilo Kish’s last official album was released back in 2016, but her pair of consecutive EP’s that came out in 2018 and 2019 were a more focused and cohesive electronic sound. On this album, she went back to her unique existential pop with irreverent Adult Swim vibes. With her kitchen sink production, detached vocals, and quirky irreverent sound, this album has a lot of reasons to not work but somehow puts everything together and keeps you overstimulated like a TikTok video. Recommendations include Choice Cowboy, New Tricks, and American Gurl. Recommended if you like Santigold or Imani Coppola.

Vitesse X- Us Ephemeral

Growing up, I hated electronic music. Did I listen to it or seek it out specifically? No, not in the slightest. But it was just annoying as I saw my beloved Radio Disney pop rock acts just be seen as cringe as what I call ‘unts unts’ music went on the rise. Also, I just thought the fans were annoying. Maybe it was just in my community, but there were a lot of teen DJs who just got jobs hosting or playing cultural events and sweet 16s and posting pretentious memes that made me roll my eyes. I’ve never seen a MLM girl in real life, but I’ve seen DJs talk about how school is just there to mold you and as a DJ, they can be their own boss. Also, just growing up in the teen club/4 loko/Ed Hardy era just made me think it was all try hard “OH, you’ve never been to a festival?’ stuff. But eventually, Charli XCX helped open my mind to new electronic acts while trip hop and deep house helped open me up to older electronic genres. Then I had an “if it’s retro/ironic it’s okay” mentality but now I can regularly like electronic music. That leads us to Vitesse X. Her art deco style of electronics invokes the sleek future, through her stage name and hi tech titles. Is she making a concept album about how technology was supposed to bring us together but is bringing us apart? Is it a scifi story? Did she promise us a video for each song that made a movie but she stopped and hoped we would forget about it? No! She’s making music you could hear at Zara’s, in your car, or even at a party or club. In this age of hot takes, think pieces, and more, a concept like nepobaby can go from a fun internet only in joke to a “reclaimed” term that loses all meaning. Vitesse X helps prove that sometimes, saying less really is more. My favorites are Potential Energy, Centrifuge Me, and Us Ephemeral.

Piri and Tommy- Froge.mp3

The drum n bass duo that came out of the blue and right back into it. Words is the best positive motivational affirmation dance song since Show Me Love by Robin S. I also like Silver Lining and On & on. It looks like we’re not getting a new project from them, they split up and now they’re going to ruin all of our Last.fm charts because they each get credited separately. 

They Hate Change- Finally, New

I feel like Drum n Bass has been on the rise since Princess Nokia’s Metallic Butterfly went on streaming for the last few years, but it had been kind of mixed with other electronic sounds like hyperpop or UK garage so it was an afterthought. They Hate Change overcame that. Rapping over Drum n bass, the Tampa duo helps showcase something cool and forward thinking from Florida on their label debut. I recommend them if you like Outkast or Big Fish Theory from Vince Staples. My favorite songs are Who’s Next, Little Brother, and Perm.

Foushee- Softcore

I hate to make a Mean Girls reference in 2024 (this was another review I had written in winter 2023, before I knew there was a movie adaptation of the Mean Girls musical coming out), but this album reminds me of the Halloween party scene where Cady shows up in an “ugly” costume while everyone is wearing cute costumes and she is confused. That is how this album feels for alternative R&B. While now everyone with a slowed down drum beat gets an alternative R&B genre tag, but this is truly “alternative”, mixing slinky R&B vocals over guitars and yelling. Even if it doesn’t always work (several songs are under 2 minutes), you can definitely admire the attempts. Behind SZA, Foushee is the second best R&B album from a New Jerseyan in 2022 (sorry, 070 Shake). My favorite songs are I’m Fine and Simmer Down. Listen if you want an internet poisoned pop star but Doja has gone too far for you. 

Ravyn Lenae- Hypnos

After her stellar 2018 EP, Ravyn finally followed up with her debut album and it was worth the wait. Her airy, hypnotic vocals still sound fresh and the collaborations don’t take away from the sound at all. My favorites are 3D and Venom.

Sudan Archives- Natural Brown Prom Queen

Sudan Archives made it very far on my 2019 Best of List. I would not be able to tell you a song from that album, or if she even made it on (because as of this writing it is still unpublished) but I knew she was talented and I thought her violin gave her a unique sound. This time around, she did a sonic 180 and went for a more left field mixture of sounds and had an even better album. Listen to stand out Homemaker. 

Glacier Veins- Lunar Reflection

Normally, I consider my best of list a failure if I don’t find at least one new, completely random small Bandcamp band that didn’t get reviewed from Allmusic or Pitchfork or any other major website. If they don’t have a Wikipedia page, even better! This year, Glacier Veins is one of those bands for me. If you like female fronted pop punk with a side of experimental noise pop added to it, I would definitely recommend them. 2018’s KID, 2009 Paramore, Halsey, Poppy, and Willow fans should be happy. My favorite songs are Cover Me, Here & There, Lunation, Autonomy, and Flower Moon.

Amanda Shires- Take It Like a Man

Alt country queen. Recommended if you waited for Jenny Lewis’ album for Puppy in a Truck or you enjoy feeling like you are a Sons of Anarchy character or perhaps Yellowstone. Mature alt country with great, clear production. My favorite song is Hawk for the Dove. (Side note: I wrote this way before they filed for divorce). 

Lola Kirke- Lady for Sale

Picks up where Pearl Charles left off for countrypolitian. If you thought this would be a low effort vanity project you are mistaken. Unclear if this is a pastiche or not but very unexpected country album from this British actress. Pink Sky is my favorite song. Recommended if you like Pearl Charles or Margo Price.

Honey Dijon- Black Girl Magic

A great house music DJ. Recommended if you want to keep the party going after Renaissance.

Montell Fish- Her Love Still Haunts Me Like a Ghost

I listen to an adult alternative college radio station regularly and to paint a picture of what that’s like, I can now say “wow, that Paul Simon song slaps”. Sometimes they do play younger, internet only bedroom produced artists like Claud, Kafune, Joe P, and now, Montell Fish. When I first heard the distorted bass and reverbs I was confused at how different and all out he went but this is a true EP of heartbreak and desperation. Listen if you like PM Dawn, Miguel and Steve Lacy. Pretend Lovers is my favorite song. 

Carly Cosgrove- See you in Chemistry