They've done it. To be honest, I wasn't surprised this album was banger because look at their past works. Even the singles prior to One Simple Trick, independent of the album were so very good, my friends and I were replaying it and singing along. Currently, I am listening to the album as I write this, and even though the singles of this album came out 2-5 months ago, I still really enjoy them. This is incredibly catchy too! Baptism's little buzzing riffs at the start makes me feel like I'm falling slowly, gracefully into the album. Speaking od which, this album is partially religion-focused. The idea that religion has been corrupted or just not aligning with it personally, or not feeling like you have a choice about it. I actually personal feel this, so it spoke to me haha! The lyrical writing is also so beautiful!! It's that "words that don't make sense together literally, but have logical meaning" thing that I am envious of. I can't write like that, even though I want to :o( Highly recommend!! For a debut, it's full of catchy 90s rock about conflict, and much to chew on for people who would like to analyse!!
Fav song: Fatal has a fantastic break in the middle, and when the drum hits again, it's transcending. Deathbox has this cheeky tone of devilish kicking-legs-on-the-phone that is my only way of describing it. Scoundrels has (high vocabulary and) this louder end for hopelessness that I really like. But seriously, all the songs are pretty great.

I am biased, I must admit. However, I wanted to write about this album because I was talking about it with my partner, and I didn't realise how passionate I was about it haha! This is possibly one of the best comebacks of the century, and I don't put it lightly. I was there when this album first released, waiting patiently for the whole thing to unveil. And man, did it unveil in a shining light of glory. MANIA was a very polished, almost electronic album that felt very stiff. Understandable that they were dabbling in a different music style since Save Rock And Roll was alluding to this evolution. But it was unwelcomed because it really took the wind out of the sails of Fall Out Boy as a band. It felt a bit washed out, no punchiness or strong emotion. However, this. This, this knocked it absolutely out the park. Not only is it a return to personality, but it marries the past of FOB's rock ballads with the electronica of their recent works. They give birth to a sentimental, punchy rock album that also uses classical intrumental to almost paint an existential picture of the future, holding a space for introspection in the wasteland of the present. With a perfect starting track like Love From The Other Side, the album was bound to be up there as one of FOB's best albums of all time. Truly, a great return to form for FOB, and if anything else comes of it, I am down to listen!! My favourite track has to be Love From The Other Side and Flu Game, incredible work to the boys. As a 14-year-old back then, I was absolutely blown away.
Fav song: Love From The Other Side is a smoothie of classical wind instruments and really kick-ass drums

I was made aware of EDAABP from the annoucement of Hayley going on an American tour with a slight Eurpoean stint. A personal album that carves an empty space in wood in the shape of a guitar. A rather low-key, introspective album from Ms Paramore, the subject matter for each song is clear and distinct. A simple, piano ballad about wanting to press your partner craving something new, ominous ringing of the capitalistic crush of Christianity, the artificialness of being in the entertainment industry, etc. As loaded as those sound, they're laid out quite openly. These collection songs have a related sound but they don't sound samey-samey. Personally, I don't think this album utilises Hayley's strong voice, but that is totally ok, she can make a calmer album! They also feel more like a collection of songs rather than an album. However, I understand it is that way because these songs were never meant to be an album. My favourite song might be True Believer. Not to say the others are bad!! I also love Glum, it has this distance in the chorus that illustrates the isolation. Mirtazapine also stands out with it's guitars and higher, slightly upbeat rhythm. A juxtaposiiton of the lyrics and the song itself yayy!! I did enjoy this album, I just hope it's not forgetable. It's not particularly memorable to me, but I liked it. It's not exactly memorable, but it is definitely a step in the right direction from her last works. I will be listening to it!
UPDATE: Ok this album has put me through the most infuriating wringer!! Initially, I thought I liked it. However, there is this grating quality to some of the songs that I find off-putting. Maybe it's the repetition, but it was almost annoying, so I bumped it down to like a 2 rating. BUT the songs stuck in my head, almost against my will? I kept listening to the album and singing to it, even though it annoyed me? Surely it can't annoy me that much if I keep listening to it right? Kudos to Hayley for making scarily catchy songs! I think I ike it? Not gonna lie, I'm still confused. However, the 4 rating still sticks!
Fav song: Discovery Channel has this haunting instrumental that I really like.

WOW~ ok firstly, credit to Nuch for the lovely visuals. Part of BEEFCAKE is their beautiful covers of crayon and colour pencils. In an age of AI, it's rlly nice to see a niche aesthetic come to life in very pretty art, including the makeup!!!! Secondly, Dora's songwriting is great. The lyrics are very beautiful, and I luvv reading them while listening to the song. Thirdly, personally, I think the singing is beautiful but the flow to each line is a little awkward(?), some lines are a little unexpected, at least conventionally. I really want to like this duo because they have such an interesting unique style that I personally resonate with. Not only do I want to dress like that, but also it is reminiscent of younger Jazmin Bean that I miss. I want to support their work, so it'll take a few more listens to get used to the flow of each song!! To the songs themselves, they have this soft, electronic mixed with classical instrumental, I can't tell what instruments they consist of though,,, Their aesthetic takes from metal culture with the scratchy DETRIMENTORS text, but metal is not this duo at all!! Angel Food is the only song that has blatant guitars and drums in fact, which was closer to what I actually expected of this duo. I do highly recommend though, if you're looking for something out of your comfort zone!!
UPDATE: I've been listening to this EP more often and the flow seems a lot more natural now, so I think it was just unconventional so it hit my ear wrong at first. Def recommend!!!
Fav song: Lapinou has this loud screeching sound at the start before the graceful vocals.