Armand Hammer – “Snakes & Ladders” review

New surprise LP & the 8th overall from New York underground duo Armand Hammer. Consisting of billy woods & Elucid, they formed together a decade ago already off their only mixtape Half Measures & the debut album Race Music. The pair would go on to release an EP & 4 more full-lengths worth of abstract political hip hop, with Haram fully produced by The Alchemist becoming the most critically acclaimed within their discography. We Buy Diabetic Test Strips quickly became the greatest musical statement in Fat Possum Records’ entire discography, coming off their Rhymesayers Entertainment debut Mercy to play Snakes & Ladders.

“Deadbolts” produced by clipping. sets the tone with this experimental intro talking about the difference between alone & aloneness whereas “Send for Me” strips the drums thanks to Kenny Segal so both of them can keep dropping abstract verses. “Lock Out (Tag Out)” has Sebb Bash fusing elements of jazz rap & boom bap talking about data centers using to cool down the AI systems just before “Jet Magazine” goes at the weak rooted who don’t share the same realities they do.

Meanwhile on “Nightswim”, we have Armand Hammer over some guitars talking about a state or surveillance such as the rise of Flock cameras leading into the minute & a half “TimeTables” suggesting to either come in peace or leave in pieces. “don’t say it if it isn’t true” continues from there explaining that they don’t wanna hear anyone saying they love them if it’s out of insincerity while “Gravity” ends the 1st leg in the form of a soulful billy woods solo cut.

“Vespers” hooks up an Animoss beat with some pianos up to kick off the 2nd half talking about crying in a club called nowhere until “Dragon Teeth” comes through with a brief 2-parter putting calculations aside for oracles & a reminder of freedom & compliance being 2 separate things. “Incidentals” keeps it going speaking of keeping the keys to hearts for unimportant purposes while the experimentql “Graveside” talks about seeing y’all 6 feet below the dirt in the grave.

The song “Dogville” brings the jazzier elements back in the picture so they can describe a place where snakes move with ease while “Assembly Lines” over an industrial Preservation instrumental talking about applying for a job only to find out the interviewer was an AI chatbot. “Risk” featuring $ilkMoney finds the trio joining forces so they can break down their murderous tendencies & “if we must die” sends off Snakes & Ladders.

I thought for sure Armand Hammer would’ve waited a couple months to drop Snakes & Ladders, but I’ll still gladly take it even if I wouldn’t consider it as great as We Buy Diabetic Test Strips or both their full-lengths with Uncle Al. The abstractly conscious lyricism addressing the country’s political climate for past 21 months going on 22 is well mapped out, but there are moments where the experimentally jazzy & drumless production can feel like leftovers from previous album sessions.

Score: 3.5/5

2hollis – “Pirouette” review

This is the 5th studio LP from Chicago, Illinois rapper, singer/songwriter & producer 2hollis. Coming up as 1/2 of Mage Eternal & a member of OSX under his original moniker Drippysoup, he would go onto to put out a total of 7 extended plays along with a couple mixtapes & 3 full-lengths until signing to Interscope Records. It’s already been a year & a half since he made his major label debut Star pivoted towards an electronic dance music sound contrasting his previous output & he’s back once again for Pirouette.

“Spring” opens up with this EDM intro talking about his desires of doing to his romantic interest what spring does to the trees whereas “Skin” produced by Ginseng talks about his wishes of pulling time back into his arms so he could find this woman from the start. “The Lady in Red” expresses his amazement towards a female wearing all red looking like a nosebleed while the self-produced “Pressure” calls back to “eldest child” a year & a half ago.

Meanwhile on “Human After All”, we have 2hollis describing a certain type of pain that made him realize his own humanity just before “SOPHIE” remembers the late bubblegum bass/hyperpop pioneer of the same name. The 2nd single “Sex” blends electropop, dance-pop, electro house, electroclash & hyperpop to talk about intercourse with him while the lead single “Hurt” fuses electropop, hyperpop, fidget house, electro, EDM glitch hop, deconstructed club & breakbeat admits to yearning for him.

“Eyes Wide Closed” kicks off the 2nd half talking about wanting to be fucked like the other person partaking hates him while “Betrayal” talks about not wanting to take this individual’s money. “i2i” confronts someone who he can’t agree with in a single sentence tying while the 3rd & final single” Warhorse” combines digicore, rage, deconstructed club, industrial hip hop & hardwave sampling “Don’t Tell” by DJ Clap to talk about the aspects of love he considers chaotic.

Winding down the last leg of the album, the song “Today” samples “Droopy Likes Your Face” by C418 confessing his ways have been somewhat broken & praying upon a new saint until encouraging the “Heaven Speaker” to show him what heaven truly is. “My 1 & Only” takes a compositional approach for a minute & a half, feeling more like an interlude than anything while the closing track “Daisy” finishes Pirouette reflecting upon his life, his relationships & the emotions he was having when he was younger.

Of the 2 full-lengths 2hollis has put out since the Interscope deal came about, Pirouette makes some noteworthy improvements above it’s predecessor a year & a half ago. The electropop, hard dance, indietronica, rage, hyperpop dance-pop, electro house, electroclash, fidget house, electro, EDM glitch hop, deconstructed club, breakbeat, digicore, rage, industrial hip hop & hardwave production refines the EDM sounds of Star exploring the human experience of emotion along with the intensity & many shades of it mostly portrayed through the lens of love & further exploring all the building & destruction it can bring.

Score: 4/5

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Babystaydown – “Forever Lasting” review

This is the latest studio LP & 4th overall from Athens, Georgia rapper Babystaydown. Somebody who already has his previous 16 EPs under his belt including PL Top Recruits, 1,350, Drugz Sex & Money and it’s sequel, 17, Genesis, his Cegular Records/Sony Music debut Hate da Way Um Livin, Saint, Pain Before Pleasure, Chief 13, Aimai, I.L.M.F. (I Love My Friends), ##Kool ##Kat & the Lost Files duology. His full-length debut Born Anew as well as the sophomore effort Art of War & I.B.S.D.W.M.P. (I Been Still Dealing With My Pain) have all continued to elevate him from an artistic standpoint, coming off the introspective Lil Yae & Soon to have his manager Whyceg fully produce Forever Lasting.

“You a Keeper” cloudily spends the first couple minutes explaining the reason he don’t be stuntin’ to his bitch whereas “Bankroll, Got It” instrumentally leans towards a more standard trap vibe so he can boast his wealth. “Some Typa Way” has a nocturnal atmosphere to the beat brushing off whatever detractors have to say of him just before “Shining” talks about staying down through the storm.

Meanwhile on “Come Back”, we have Babystaydown asking his lover when she’ll be returning to him over a plugg instrumental leading into “Test My Luck” spaciously responds to the claims that he’s changed when he’s still talking crazy & eager to step all over anyone who gets in his way. “Wanna Tell You” talks about his desires of not wanting to get in a fight with a woman when he lets her know the way he truly feels of her while “Lotta Things” admits he doesn’t think the safe after some of the shit he’s seen.

“My Reality” works in some gorgeous piano chords talking about him still shining even when he’s behind bars while “Dying Rich” expresses his hope of having a significant amount of money in the back by the time he’s gone. “Claim I Changed” once again looks put the rumors of him switching up to rest once & for all & after “I’ll Be Fine” assures everyone who’s been worrying for him, the outro “All for You” wraps up Forever Lasting talking about the reason he does this.

One of my favorite producers in past 2-3 years Whyceg solely handing the production of an entire project for the very 1st artist he signed to Cegular Records has been long overdue & not only would I argue Forever Lasting surpasses everything Babystaydown has done to become the greatest entry in his entry discography, but it makes me hope Ceg will do the same for Pradabagshawty or maybe even the newest addition to the label HittMan after the latter’s Cegular debut Revenge later this month & Degenerate respectively.

Score: 4.5/5

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Bruiser Wolf – “The Dealer Wins” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Bruiser Wolf returning for a brand new extended play. A member of the Bruiser Brigade collective, his 2021 solo debut Dope Game Stupid would become an experimentally gangsta & comedic gem although the sophomore effort My Story Got Stories was more moderately received a couple years ago. Both of his last couple albums Potluck & Made by Dope produced by Harry Fraud respectively have become his most celebrated material thus far, coming off the polarized response of Push & Paint to have Conductor Williams fully produce The Dealer Wins.

“Payday” hooking up a crooning sample with pianos for a 105 second intro talking about having 0 regrets & shooting his shot every time whereas the lead single “Ain’t Got Time” soulfully explains that he has more money than availability these days. The 2nd & final single “The Score” featuring Marv Won references the late WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan & after the chipmunk soul-tinged “Dig Some Jive” echoes his own personal motto, “Transportation” talks about having locations to rinse the money off.

Kicking off the 2nd half, we have Bruiser looking back at a time when he used to spend his live living “In Danger” retaining the chipmunk soul vibes for a couple minutes leading into “State Property” talks about the minds of the poverty-stricken not functioning properly. “New Game, Same Rules” makes use of witty football wordplay since he played in the AFL when it existed & once “For You” dedicates itself to anyone who’s fumbled or hustled, “The Story of DeVaul Neal” rounds out The Dealer Wins on a more introspective note.

Looking to end 2026 strong ahead of reuniting with Harry Fraud for a Made by Dope sequel as as well as having Nicholas Craven produce an entire collection of material & even a collaborative album with Twista all coming within the new year, Bruiser Wolf makes up for the polarized reception Push & Paint received 8 months earlier combining the off-kilter delivery & inventive storytelling that’s made him unique with Conductor’s soulful production to make The Dealer Wins a 4th quarter buzzer beater of an EP.

Score: 4.5/5

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Joker Starr – “Sidenote 2” review

Brand new studio LP & the 8th overall from Slough, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom emcee/producer Joker Starr. Dropping his debut mixtape Raw Spittage in 2011, he would go on to follow it up with all 6 of his previous full-lengths as well as 3 extended plays & a beat tape. My personal favorite being G.A.W.D. (God And Wisdom Driven) mostly produced by Micall Parknsun & Gawd Status’ debut Firmamentum. Both of which came out in 2019, coming off his Boot Records debut Sidenote initially conceived when the COVID-19 pandemic was going on to drop a sequel.

“Chivalry” kicks things off with this groovy boom bap intro talking about the entire idea of gallantry whereas “Runaway” featuring Genesis Elijah finds the pair getting conscious in the midst of embracing a gospel vibe instrumentally. “Build Your Spirit” turns up the soulfulness to discuss the concept of leading into “Get the Cash Money” featuring Cosm hooking up an organ-woven boom bap beat so they talk about stacking your chips up.

Micall Parknsun gets behind the boards during the jazzy yet dusty “Let’s Go” encouraging the audience to jump around while “Chill Bro” retains the traditional boom bap sound talking about simply calming down. “London’s Chard” featuring Micall Parknsun himself eventually brings both of them mic on the mic cautioning people to stay sharp just before “B.I.G. (Black Is God)” produced by Giallo Point begins the 2nd half making a powerful ode to Afrocentrism.

“My Love” featuring Anyway tha God joins forces so they can let their exes know exactly how much they’ll miss ‘em & after “Stoic” featuring Verb T incorporates more sampling techniques to make way for them getting in their battle rap bags lyrically whether it’s been the latter holding it down for 2 decades or Joker for 17 years, “Black Messiah” featuring Micall Parknsun runs it back 1 last time although this one’s way more psychedelic than “London’s Chard” stylistically.

The tropical “Speaker Rude Boys” winds down the album’s last leg talking about running them speakers up honoring his Jamaican heritage while “Coke & Mirrors” combines elements of orchestral & rock explaining that anyone who isn’t apart of the evolution is already finished, asking if anyone wants better for themselves. Move On” spends the last couple minutes of Sidenote 2 talking about the feeling he has of wanting to breathe the success in.

I can appreciate Sidenote 2 having spots where Joker Starr’s performing by himself especially since it’s predecessor 13 months ago had Anyway tha God on half of it, but I still prefer the original Sidenote in terms of production & would consider this successor to be almost on the same level his Boot debut reached last fall. That being said: There’s no denying his passion deeply rooted in the love of the craft instead of chasing trends or forcing ideas.

Score: 3.5/5

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NDO D – “YL5” review

This is the 7th extended play from Atlanta, Georgia rapper NDO D. Releasing his first couple EPs No Dayz Off & Hi 5 in 2022 respectively, he would go on to follow it up a year later with the Running Out of Time EP along with his debut mixtape Lord & the King Whor3 EP. Coming off his full-length debut Life After Death along with the Free YL EP & more recently the Bombsquad 4 Life EP back in August, he’s dropping YL5 a week after he announced it on his Twitter.

“Charlemagne” wastes no time bringing the 808s in the picture comparing all these fans talking to Breakfast Club co-host Charlemagne tha God while my personal favorite track “Calling the Hits” produced by Patrick Garza flexes that he’s the one calling shots now. “Ball” reaches the midway point talking about walking in the spot like a boss while “Pay 4 the Car” looks to turn this bitch into a party. “A$$hole” doesn’t shy away from admitting his wealth got him acting like a dick & “Rocket” ends the EP talks about sending rockets at those dissing his squad.

I didn’t mind the appearances NDO D made on “U.O.E.N.O.” off 9 Vicious’ 2nd mixtape Sedition or “Pray for Me” from 406ahmad’s latest album Life of Ahmad 3 within the past couple months, but I felt divided towards YL5 & that’s mainly because I was expecting more out of the production regardless him stepping up his songwriting & performances. If Patrick’s got more beats for him or maybe get Ahmad & Whyceg in the fold, then I think would get some of his finest material.

Score: 2.5/5

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Twisted Teens – “The Holy Cross Tigers” review

Twisted Teens are a slacker rock/alt-country duo from New Orleans, Louisiana consisting of lap steel guitarist RJ Santos alongside frontman Caspian Hollywell. Forming in 2024 & putting out a favorably received self-titled debut shortly afterwards, they would go on to follow it up with the sophomore effort Blame the Crown as well as the EU extended play in 2025 & even their last full-length Florida Water Blues earlier this summer. However, both teasers for their 4th studio LP & Sub Pop Records debut gave me the impression of the probability of them outdoing themselves.

The 2nd & final single “Stalks” blends alt-country, slacker rock, garage rock & punk blues for an intro where Caspian’s making tons of references to the act of attempting to gain insight into a question or situation by way of a magic ritual or practice using stems harvested from yarrows whereas the lead single “When We 1st Met” fuses slacker rock, garage rock, alt-country, cowpunk, power pop & punk blues sings about a couple doing everything together back when they initially got together.

“Be an Angel” moves forward embracing a garage rock vibe for a bittersweet look at a failed relationship while “Blue Rose” takes it back to their distinctive slacker rock sound so Caspian can sing about the relatable feeling of being replaced. “I Spend My Time Crying” takes a shot at fusing garage rock & country music admitting to holding anger towards a rowdy rider because it was easier than merely being sad prior to “Blue Flower” comes through with this minute long compositional interlude.

Meanwhile on the lo-fi “I Bring”, we have the Twisted Teens singing about buying a magic ring & giving it to someone prior to “Look in the Mirror” kickstarting the 2nd half using a lost romance as an illusion & telling an ex that they have to lie to themselves before even thinking of lying to Caspian. “Lock & Key” has a bit of a country twang to it telling the story of a man cooperating with law enforcement to help them take down a cartel while “Figure It Out” sings about hoping this woman will solve a problem without being told to do so.

“Armed with a Vision” nears closer towards the end of the album taking inspiration from Dinosaur Jr. pleading listeners to not let confusion determine the outcome of their everyday lives while “Every Flower” sings about the fact that we’re all flying in under the reaper & the time for our demise is closer than it ever was previously. “Darker the Night is the Brighter I See” concludes The Holy Cross Tigers bringing some acoustics in the picture for a creepy outro reminiscent of “Something in the Way” off Nirvana’s iconic sophomore effort Nevermind.

It hasn’t even been a few months since the Twisted Teens dropped Florida Water Blues & The Holy Cross Tigers has a real chance of comfortably joining Sunn O)))’s self-titled Sub Pop debut along with PISS’ recent debut you made me / skin on linen amongst the greatest music the Seattle indie label has to offer in 2026 with less than a couple months left. The loose breakup concept combined with the slacker rock, alt-country, garage punk, punk blues, cowpunk, garage rock & power pop production bringing every style they’ve explored full circle results in Caspian & RJ’s answer to Bob Dylan’s 15th album Blood on the Tracks.

Score: 4.5/5

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Ella Mai – “3²” review

This is the 5th extended play from Mitcham, London, England, United Kingdom singer/songwriter Ella Mai. Signing to DJ Mustard’s very own Interscope Records imprint 10 Summers Records over a decade ago. Her first few EPs Time as well as Change & Ready were all solid preludes ahead of her acclaimed eponymous full length debut, following up her sophomore effort Heart on My Sleeve with 3. Her 3rd album Do You Still Love Me? came out earlier this year & she’s dropping 3² to celebrate her birthday week.

“Favourite T-Shirt” produced by none other than DJ Mustard begins the 3-pack with a contemporary R&B intro singing about the father of her child Jayson Tatum while “Over & Over” bridges the 3 sequel admitting that she finds herself falling in love with Jayson all over again right when she feels like they’re through. “All I Know” sends off the EP incorporating some rich piano chords so she can sing about affection being the only thing she’s familiar with.

Do You Still Love Me? still remains the most intimate statement in Ella Mai’s entire discography so far considering that she gave the world her new outlook on the complexities of love & life altogether, but I don’t see myself coming back to 3² as much as it’s predecessor 24 months ago or even the new LP we got from her back in February & that’s primarily because it wouldn’t be much of surprise to find out if the 10 minutes of material here were originally intended for what we got 9 months earlier.

Score: 3/5

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RRoxket – “High School Flunky 2” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper RRoxket is back for his sophomore effort. Emerging in 2022 off his debut extended plays Rixhie Rixh & the full-length debut album R.I.P. RRoxket, he would go on to drop 3 more EPs Happy Birthday RRoxket as well as RRoxket Valentine and Red M&M ahead of his debut tape Red Ranger that was preluded by High School Flunky. He put out a fun self-titled effort on Black Friday 2024 after officially signing to Sony Music, coming off Rixhie Rixh II & Geek Monster to drop High School Flunky 2.

“Dork” begins with a dark plugg intro recalling a time in his life where he had a shootout on his mother’s porch whereas “Cali Weed” talks about having the feeling that the feds are tapped into him because of his mob ties. “Euphoria” has a more standard plugg vibe to it telling this girl she’ll be his honey bun if she stays down for him until “Planet Pilot” talks about young dudes touching the gat before the floss.

Continuing from there, “Pesos” cautions that it’ll take a bit of a lengthy amount of time to calm him down if anyone gets him rowdy leading into “Miami” atmospherically talking about his girl wanting some red bottoms as opposed to him desiring to stack his bread up. “Perkysex” obviously revolves around him popping percocets & fucking bitches over another plugg instrumental while “Fair” talks about his doctors advising him to lay off the meds.

“Player” reaches the midway point of High School Flunky 2 expressing his love for the Ben Franks & keeping a gun by his side while the pluggy “Cell Phones” talks about law enforcement wiretapping both of his mobile devices. “Royal Rumble” references the first of the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE’s big 5 pay-per-view events while “Anger” talks about calling up his shooter & so he can take a look at the new stick he bought.

My favorite track here would probably be “ATM” produced by Hariroc looking back at the days when he was broke laying on the cockroach infested floors of the trap house where he used to stay at & robbing people growing up but after “Tres Pills” asking himself why his cousin ended up betraying him along with calling out a middleman who’s acting like the plug over psychedelic synthesizers, “Picking Flowers” makes it clear that he isn’t the good guy.

“Cash Cow” gets closer towards the end talking about making a consistent amount of money whilst getting head while “Watermelon” brings these exuberant piano chords in the picture to talk about reaching an agreement for his girl to pull up & fuck. “Bad Habit” featuring B6 ends High School Flunky 2 with it’s only guest appearances, pairing both of them to discuss smoking gas out in the west coast & going cold turkey on the percs over some 808s & retro synth melodies.

Becoming the first rapper to ever graduate from Harvard University majoring in pharmaceutical beverage sciences & minoring in advanced financial display last month, it makes all the sense in the world for RRoxket to celebrate this monumental achievement than to drop a new full-length & one that I prefer more than the predecessor 11 months ago. However if he locked in with Hariroc for an entire collection of material whether it’s the next album or an EP or a mixtape, it could outdo everything he’s done previously.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jack Harlow – “Sweet Action II” review

Here we have the 3rd extended play from Louisville, Kentucky rapper, singer/songwriter, producer & actor Jack Harlow. Breaking through when the pandemic started off the single “What’s Poppin’?”, this resulted in DJ Drama & Don Cannon signing him to their Atlantic Recordsimprint Generation Now Entertainment as well as them putting out a mediocre full-length debut with That’s What They All Say that same winter & who could forget the arduous listen of a sophomore effort Come Home the Kids Miss You in 2023. Coming off Jackman. & Monica, he’s dropping off a sequel to Sweet Action.

“Signora” begins the EP sampling “Ideally Yours” by Ideal responding to a woman wondering why he’s acting so laid back whereas “Too Soon” shifts towards a Disney Channel vibe instrumentally to pose the question of whether or not it’s untimely for him to fuck another bitch. “She Gets Me” confesses that he’s been seeing another woman & feeling like she understands him better than his old chick did while “610 Magnolia” talks about wanting to show her who he really is.

The song “Hold Back” produced by Rogét Chahayed might have my favorite beat here because of the way he samples “Hold N’ Back” by Marques Houston even if bars like “I can tell you must think I just wanna paint your face, Cirque du Soleil” feel grossly tacky while “Pressure” flips “ego talkin’” by Saint Harison acknowledges his imperfections. “Move On” ruins “That Was Then” by Lalah Hathaway to end Sweet Action II wining over an ex-girlfriend.

It was pretty great seeing Jack Harlow getting clowned for the neo-soul direction Monica went for when he dropped it back in March & regardless of the pop rap elements from the original Sweet Action being retained, the trap influences being swapped out in favor of Monica’s neo-soul sound & contemporary R&B makes Sweet Action II feel like a collection of outtakes that were originally meant for his latest album whether it’s the obnoxious usage of R&B samples or Jack’s corny songwriting.

Score: 1.5/5

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