Label: Jewel Runners/BMG
Press release: Run the Jewels will release their fourth LP, RTJ4, on June 5 via Jewel Runners/BMG. The 11-track album runs over 40 minutes and features a number of heavy-hitters, including Pharrell Williams, Josh Homme Mavis Staples, 2 Chainz, Zack de la Rocha and more. RTJ4, which took two years to complete, was primarily recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California and Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
My thoughts: This album is straight heat. Walking In The Snow, A Few Words, Yankee and Ju$t are among the many highlights. This is probably the best Killer Mike has ever been and the guest spots are also as good as they've ever been. Pulling The Pin and Holy Calamafuck are the lowlights but even those are not bad by any stretch. This is head and shoulders above RTJ3 at first glance.
Label: Atlantic Records
Press release: Hayley Williams has announced the release date and title of her new solo music. Petals for Armor is coming out January 22. Taking to her social media pages, Hayley explained: "30 was a very important year. 31 will be too. I'm putting out some music next year. With the help of some of my closest friends, I made something I'm going to call my own."
My thoughts: It's no surprise that I wasn't really a fan of this LP as I grew up on Paramore which uh didn't sound like this. I wasn't even a huge After Laughter fan. That being said if Hayley sticks to this for her solo stuff and we get more early Paramore era music then I'm on board. Petals For Armor is full of heavy synths and dark lyrics which Hayley clearly had to get off her chest after dealing with a failed marriage and the regular mental health issues she deals with on a regular basis. I truly hope Hayley is in a better place and we get some new Paramore bops out of this.
Label: Ruby Red Records
Press release: Walker describes American Love Story, which drops on May 8th (Preview to order) as “a love story about hate” and a project meant to be listened to from start to finish. “It’s not just a record of a collection of songs under a theme, it actually talks and builds and tells a story and has a pretty bittersweet ending,” Walker reveals. The album was a surprise, even to him. “I had not planned on doing a rock opera at all. I don’t know if anybody has told you but they’re certainly not in fashion,” he says, with a laugh.
My thoughts: Butch Walker obviously was hurt by the status of the world while writing this album. It touches on everything from racism, homophobia and gun control as he weaves his story. I liked the more pop soundier songs the bets with Gridlock being far and away the best on this record but this is a story that needed to be told.
No comments:
Post a Comment