Tonio Armani – “Outside for the Summer” review

Columbus, Georgia singer/songwriter Tonio Armani enlisting Atlanta producer, DJ, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur & crunk progenitor Lil Jon to produce his brand new extended play. Dropping his full-length studio debut Love & Relationships along with the sophomore effort The Soul Train in 2019, he would go on to release Believe the following year & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg would sign him to Death Row Records distributed by gamma. following Intimacy. Making his debut for the label, it’s only right he steps Outside for the Summer.

The Ying Yang Twins appear on the intro “B.O.B. (Big Ole Butt)” joining forces over a vibrant beat so all 3 of them can talk about their love of women who have cake whereas “Walk That Line” instrumentally goes for more of a crunk&B vibe to describe a woman that he can’t seem to get enough of. “Donkey” soulfully sings about wanting all the ladies to get on down to the dance floor leading into “Line Dancer” ending the 1st leg of EP with a carefree R&B jam recalling this woman giving him a show.

“Temptation” gets the 2nd half going singing about a temptress trying to seduce Tonio when he’s already in a relationship & after “That’s My “Lady” soulfully dedicates itself to his soulmate he was referring to earlier, “Jam with Us” sings to those who’re unable to party with him that they can’t do so at all if that’s the case. “Bad Mamma” featuring Snoop Dogg finds the pair talking about women who’re well put together & the closing track “Superman Lover” featuring Nila Milan sends it all off with a laidback R&B duet with a summertime feeling to it.

Looking to celebrate his Georgian roots for our country’s semiquincentennial, Tonio Armani enlists a founding father of the crunk subgenre of hip hop to produce Outside for the Summer since he helped make some crunk&b hits back in the 2000s & would consider it to be gratifying debut for Tha Row as well as Tonio’s finest statement yet. He’s passionately honoring the people who made him the man he become today & Lil Jon’s production is more R&B-oriented compared to LaRussell’s 32nd EP Something’s in the Water.

Score: 4/5

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Ken Carson – “Xperiment” review

Kicking off the 2nd half of 2026 with the 5th studio LP from Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Ken Carson. Breaking out in the SoundCloud scene & becoming a protege of local trailblazer Playboi Carti as one of the first artists to sign to the latter’s Opium Records, he would go on to drop a total of 5 EPs prior to his full-length debut Project X & coming off the mature sophomore effort X which Anthony Fantano infamously gave a 0. Coming off A Great Chaos & More Chaos however, he’s looking to Xperiment a lot more ahead of Cartunez.

Former 17-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE United States Champion & 4-time WWE tag team champion John Cena gets referenced on the intro “wheredoistart?” produced by Four3va whereas “deaf note” featuring Playboi Carti finds the 2 detailing their lifestyles. “shadeson” was disappointing since it’s pretty much a remix of “girl” off 2hollis’ major label debut star prior to “gynecologist” making up for it whether it be the instrumental from F1THY of Working on Dying to the lyrics detailing what he’d do if he wasn’t making music.

“wrist” continues from there talking about being in kitchen serving up weight & deceiving a woman into thinking they’re locking in when Ken wants to fuck her friend leading into “edm” addressing the rumors of Xperiment & Cartunez fulfilling his ongoing contractual obligations. “truth” hops over an Art Dealer & Outtatown beat so he can drop a lengthy verse sandwiched between a chorus expressing his sincerest feelings while “outofmybody” talks about being a wireless plug.

As for “the ritual”, we have Ken setting the record straight regarding a woman acting like he’s her man when it’s false & finding a way to always prevail while the “interlude” feels more of a brief freestyle talking about others not being able to reach his high. “ghost” featuring Lil Uzi Vertspeeds up the pace instrumentally so both of them can switch shit up for those moving too slowly while “drug kit” featuring Young Thug details being under the influence of drugs over a celebratory beat from DY & Tre Pounds.

“possession” continues the 2nd half of Xperimenton some more rage-inducing vibes talking about raking money in like a bunch of leaves that’ve fallen off branches while the distorted “fw00” discusses having money on his mind & the fact that he’s been setting trends for some time already. “somanybags” hops over another hypertrap instrumental to talk about being so geeked up where he can’t relax while “shopping” featuring Destroy Lonely prepares us for their collab tape trading the mic back-&-forth.

The song “amandabynes” brings some buzzing synthesizers into the picture talking about falling in love with a woman for who she is as a person & her being attracted to his timing but after “amnesia” runs it back with Art Dealer & Outtatown to confess that he forgot the times he’s seen this chick being addressed, “flamethrower” airs out his grievances towards a an ex-girlfriend whom he did so much for yet she still ended up leaving.

“knocking” brings a hypnotically futuristic sound to the table talking about someone he knew since Day 1 who’s changed so much that he doesn’t even have friends anymore while “addiction” references former WWE United States Champion & WWE tag team champion Logan Paul. The closer “wedidit” featuring Playboi Carti concludes our Xperiment referencing current AEW performer/commentator, former 7-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Paul Wight.

Even if it’s not quite experimental as I hoped it would be, Xperiment could still debatably surpass A Great Chaos to become Ken Carson’s greatest full-length & it has me wondering whether or not Cartunez next Friday will join either of those albums in that same conversation. Excluding a small handful of songs that I felt were pointless, rage/trap production’s less watered down than More Chaos last spring & there’s a tight guest list.

Score: 3.5/5

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Madonna – “Confessions on a Dance Floor II” review

Madonna is a 67 year old singer/songwriter, producer & actress from Bay City, Michigan who signed to Warner Records back in the early 80s. She would drop an eponymous debut, Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, Music, American Life, Confessions on a Dance Floor & the underrated Hard Candy primarily produced by The Neptunes for the label prior to her initial departure. MDNA as well as Rebel Heart & Madame X all dropped under Interscope Records to mixed reception, but has returned to Warner for her 15th studio LP & a sequel to Confessions on a Dance Floor.

“I Feel So Free” opens with a progressive house, dance-pop, space disco, spoken word, Baltimore club, hi-nrg, progressive trance & acid house single detailing the way she feels whenever she’s on the dance floor prior to “Good for the Soul” reminding the world to take a breath or let your hair down every now & then. “1 Step Away” continues from there singing about EDM not being as superficial as most people would like to think while “Bring Your Love” featuring Sabrina Carpenter blends dance-pop, diva house, garage house & Chicago house dismisses any commentary from their detractors.

We have Madonna during “Danceteria” dedicating an entire track to the New York nightclub where her career began 4 decades ago while the only song I could’ve done without “Read My Lips” featuring Feid moderately combines dance-pop, nu disco & Latin house to sing about people being broken on the inside. “Everything” makes up for it with a Ray of Light throwback confronting someone for always bringing her down just before “Love Sensation” sings about there being nothing she can’t do with her partner over a dance-pop/French house fusion.

“Love Without Words” gets the 2nd half going embracing a diva house sound taking us through a temple of sweat & surrender while “Bizarre” sings about the unique strangeness that comes with love, recalling Sean Penn’s marriage to her in the latter portion of the 80s. “School” conceptually takes the role of a teacher & a student hoping the latter tells her he loves her despite not knowing it while “Fragile” comes through with a powerful catharsis regarding her late brother Christopher Ciccone, whom she reconciled with prior to his death.

Winding down Confessions on a Dance Floor II’s last act, “My Sins Are My Savior” featuring Stromae leans towards a more tranquil side of things in terms of sound singing in French about looking for love in unfiltered places while “Betrayal” feels like a mix of Ray of Light & Erotica, telling a story that ends in Madonna being backstabbed. “The Test” featuring Lola Leon finds the mother/daughter pairing over an alt-pop/2-step beat repairing their relationship & “L.E.S. (Lower East Side) Girl” spends the album’s final minutes remembering where she came from.

Her tenure on Interscope wasn’t all that even if MDNA along with Rebel Heart & Madame X had select moments that I still go back to now, but Confessions on a Dance Floor II marks Madonna’s return to Warner by dropping her strongest LP in 2 decades. The housier production incorporates additional elements from dance-pop, progressive house, diva house, deep house, space disco, spoken word, Baltimore club, hi-nrg, progressive trance, acid house, garage house, Chicago house, French house, nu disco, Latin house, alt-pop & 2-step similarly to it’s predecessor curated like a DJ mix so the Queen of Pop can escape from all the turmoil in her life.

Score: 4.5/5

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Wakko the Kidd – “The Kidd That Did” review

New extended play from Hollywood, California rapper & entrepreneur Wakko the Kidd. Introducing himself in the summer of 2018 off his debut single “Multiple Racks”, he would go on to launch his own strain of cannabis called Airheadz a year later. However in the summer of 2024, the Insane Clown Posse signed him to Psychopathic Records & has performed at many of their events like the Gathering of the Juggalos or Hallowicked. Coming off his full-length debut In Airheadz We Trust at the beginning of the year, The Kidd That Did’s back once more.

“Food 4 Less” starts us off with a coldblooded trap beat talking about paid crazy amounts of money for his live performances whereas “Go Crazy” boisterously dedicates itself to anyone who has a payroll. “I Had To” maintains a standard trap vibe instrumentally talking about going from breaking into houses to signing with the label beneath the streets leading into “Put in Work” fusing elements of trap, cloud rap & rock discussing his constant hustle.

Kicking off the 2nd half, “Motel 6” looks back at the times when he used to live at the titular motel chain because he was so down bad during that point in his life while “Spring Break” talks about linking up with a bitch he met on the middle of her vacation that she took for the Easter holiday. “F.W.M. (Fuck Wit Me)” nears the end of The Kidd That Did talking about coming from the gutter & “Coast to Coast” ends the EP discussing that he stays growin’ weed for his customers across the country.

Some began to question Wakko the Kidd’s ability of carrying an entire body of work on his own considering literally every track on In Airheadz We Trust had a guest appearance & I think he listened to those criticisms since The Kidd That Did makes some improvements above it’s predecessor although I’d consider it to be on the same level of quality. The trap production is passable, but I applaud him for not having any features to shut down the detractors dismissing him doubting his pen.

Score: 3.5/5

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ilykimchi – “I Love You Kimchi” review

This is the 3rd extended play of solo material from Los Angeles, California producer, singer/songwriter & model ilykimchi. A member of The Scythe collective & the pioneering tread production team Working on Dying, her moderately received debut EP agony would come out in the fall of 2023 establishing herself in the future garage & alternative R&B scenes respectively. She followed it up this past April with prenup & the reception for that was generally mild too, but I remained optimistic going into her eponymous offering.

“Hello Baby” sets the tone with an electro/dance-pop intro singing about an individual who’s constantly on her mind whereas “Party in My Head” confesses that she won’t be understood until the person addressed dances with her. The lead single “Poser” combines electropop, electro house & electroclash confronting some loser about him pretending like he doesn’t know who she is while “Fendi Prada” expresses her desire of throwing it back to 2010.

binx joins Kimchi on another electropop, electro house & electroclash single “Crashout” that I found underwhelming until “What the Fuck Were We On?” spends 74 seconds wanting an ex to know that she’ll always be with him if he’s feeling lonely. “Green Room” hits us with a decent track catered to EDM festivals while the final single “Every Day a Movie” fuses electropop, dance-pop & bubblegum bass to sing about everything being different. The closer “Thank You” lastly sends off the EP with an open letter to someone she’ll never forget.

prenup this past spring found ilykimchi bringing other producers on board to handle all of the beats in comparison to her only self-producing 2 songs on agony & although I appreciate that risk being taken once again, this self-titled EP still leaves me on the fence & I say that respectfully because I truly think she has the potential to make something better. I also applaud her for departing from the alternative R&B sounds of her earlier output for a confident collection of electropop, dance-pop, bubblegum bass & electroclash jams for all the ladies looking to party this summer even if I wouldn’t consider it superior to Slayyyter’s major label debut WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA.

Score: 3/5

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民謡クルセイダーズ – 『日本民謡より愛をこめて』レビュー

The Minyo Crusaders are a min’yō band from Fussa City, Tokyo, Japan consisting of guitarist 田中克海, saxophonist 大沢広一郎, percussionist 小林ムツミ, timbalero イデ ソノオ, trumpeter 山内ステファン, conguero Irochi, keyboardist Moe & vocalist フレディ塚本. Dropping their full-length studio debut Echoes of Japan in 2017 followed by the 2023 sophomore effort Tour of Japan, they have since signed to Blue Note Records & are making their debut for the greatest jazz label of all-time with the Crusaders’ 3rd studio LP.

“北海盆唄” begins with a rendition of a vulgar coalminer’s song originating in Hokkaido that was eventually rewritten in the 1940s containing a bit of a Latin twist to it whereas “こきりこ節” by Minyo Cumbiero comes through with a cumbia colombiana/tropicanibalismo spin on the oldest Japanese folk song. “花笠音頭” also by Minyo Cumbiero blends both ensemble’s styles again for an ode to the community dance originating in the Yamagata Prefecture while “下津井節” covers track dating back to the Edo period.

Kicking off the 2nd half, we have [朝倉さや] joining the Crusaders for the single “朝倉さや” reintroducing another cut from the Edo period except it was conceived in the Shimane Prefecture leading into another work song “木山音頭” during the construction of Imabari Castle being modernized for newer generations. “ワイド節” featuring 元ちとせ unites for a cover of the Amami Islands’ famous min’yō track synonymous with bullfighting & “伊予万才” ends From Japan with Love renditioning a humorous song written back in the 17th century.

Forming back in 2011 with the goal of making min’yō more international by incorporating rhythms from Latin as well as African & Caribbean music, the Minyo Crusaders’ debut for Blue Note Records surpasses both of it’s predecessors to become the most vibrant statement of their existence by rooting From Japan with Love in the passionate respect they’ve always had for Japanese folk & it’s ability of resonating across multiple cultures.

Score: 4/5

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Jungle Brothers – “Concrete Jungle” review

The Jungle Brothers are a golden age hip hop duo from Brooklyn, New York consisting of Afrika Baby Bam & Mike G. Originally a trio alongside DJ Sammy B, their 1988 debut Straight Out the Jungle & the sophomore effort Done by the Forces of Nature under Warner Records are considered to be some of the most important hip house albums ever created, although their music since then has generally been hit or miss. However, I still had interest for the Native Tongues subgroup’s 2nd extended play.

“Make the Party Rock” featuring TdiMuzik begins with a fun intro talking about 2-steppin’ on muhfuckas even if the TdiMuzik verse was alright whereas “Check This Out” takes it back to the group’s signature hip house sound calling for everyone on the dance floor to put their backs into it. “Special Request (Dancin’)” kicks off the 2nd half with a carefree party anthem while “Rocket” concludes the EP talking about them continuing to rock stages.

A great deal of the Jungle Brothers’ output for the past 3 decades has mostly been average at worst & I might not have Concrete Jungle on the very same pedestal as their first couple of LPs that were so groundbreaking, but I think it’s a decent return for them overall. The production shifts between the hip house sound that made them so unique & boom bap, although I wouldn’t go as far to say that they don’t really push either those styles forward.

Score: 3/5

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Diorvsyou – “Pre Gamé 2” review

Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Diorvsyou continuing to prelude his debut album Soirée with his 7th EP. Coming up in 2021 off his inaugural extended play Scoreboard, it wasn’t until I saw him open up for southsidesilhouette in Brooklyn the following November where I was personally introduced to his music & I was actually impressed with his set. w.t.f.i.dvy? (who the fuck is diorvsyou?) marked a bigger breakthrough for him artistically & returned up from the Ashes almost a year since Diorvsrxlvnd’s eponymous debut. The last several EPs Untitled EP.9 as well as So Cunt. & Paussus.99 have all been received positively, coming off Pre Gamé to drop a sequel under Geffen Records.

“Walk the Plank” produced by n9ck begins with Dior talking about taking both of his double cups on a date & every day being a party for him whereas “Praise the Lorde” gives off a more rage-inducing vibe speaking of buying a bitch & slutting her out. “Marilyn Monroe” hops over a thr6x instrumental talking about coming for the cash but after “Magnolia” detailing him mixing lean with percocets & dismissing copycats for imposters, “Fashion Week” brings some more rage beats in the picture talking about trying to make something rain 

As for “Sick”, we’re being treated to a pluggier sound so Dior can discuss the possibility of shooting up a party off beans while “With da Munyun” talks about him acting a fool with all this money he’s earned & using it to break some rules. “Twin” finds himself getting psyched out for a couple minutes & “HoustonCaliLantaVegas” shows his gratitude towards all those cities over a LulRose beat, the closing track “Woke Up Like Dis” ends Pre Gamé 2 referencing the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champion & 2-time HoG Tag Team Champion Jeff Hardy.

Excluding a few songs that were previously released making their way onto here, Diorvsyou continues to prepare for Soirée by dropping what I’d consider to be Pre Gamé 2 containing some newly recorded material & some older stuff. I can only assume that’s because Pre Gamé 1.5 back in January was a SoundCloud exclusive & Geffen wanted to get paid for the streams, but it doesn’t wane any anticipation I have for the LP whether it comes out this year or not.

Score: 3.5/5

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Wrekonize – “Edited for Reality” review

Here we have the long-awaited 5th studio LP from Miami, Florida emcee/producer Wrekonize. Starting out in the battle circuit, he eventually put out a total of 3 mixtapes throughout the 2000s until coming out with his full-length debut A Soiree for Skeptics in 2010. However, the following year when he signed to Strange Music as a solo artist & as a member of the group ¡MAYDAY! the following year. His 2013 sophomore effort The War Withinwould go onto receive critical acclaim & was followed up in 2017 with Into the Further. This fall will be 6 years since Pressure Point & he’s enlisted MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 to produce Edited for Reality.

After the “Ángel de la Guarda” intro, “Alpha (The Beginning)” made for a tense opener talking about him having to change his state of mind whereas “Ain’t Backing Down” encouraging people to find him if they’re looking for a fight. “Free Way” had a more laidback sound to it talking about living life freely prior to “Can’t Stay, I’m Gone” featuring Lex Bratcher joining forces so they can cavernously talk about their refusal of standing still.

“Snowfall” instrumentally shifts towards a predominant trap vibe confessing that his heart’s been getting colder by the second leading into “No Words” talking about being speechless at all the evil things this person he’s addressing has done. “You Should Get Slapped” by ¡MAYDAY! featuring Stunnaman02 & 1 Ton finds everybody enjoying the sun & staying out the way of bullshit just before “Cinder Blocks” featuring Stevie Stone talks about bracing for the fall when they land.

Continuing the 2nd half of Edited for Reality, we have Wrek taking a more melodic approach on “If Anything” singing that he’ll be there for this person whenever they need him while “For Peace” talks about not finding tranquility if one doesn’t actively seek for it. “Line in the Sand” lividly airs out his frustrations of potentially dying at the hands of a coward while “Twisted” hops over a boom bap beat talking about the state of the world.

“Planet Worth” winds down the last several minutes of the album speaking of living for the moment as a nobody on a rock full of superstars while the penultimate song “No One Else (Be Myself)” talks about wanting to be himself instead of another because he could give a fuck less what they have. The closing track “Perfection 2026” wraps up Edited for Reality explaining the realization that he’s come to regarding nobody completing the path of gaining perfection.

Containing every single he’s dropped since forming ¡MAYDAY! Music distributed by It Goes Up Entertainment & Strange Music with his ¡MAYDAY! bandmates a few years earlier, Edited for Reality egins this new chapter of Wrekonize’s career with a full-length that I’d have to put on the same pedestal as The War Within & Pressure Point. I could’ve done without a couple guests, but the chemistry between 7’s production & Wrek’s penmanship hasn’t changed.

Score: 4/5

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FlyG – “MENNBLVCK III” review

Washington, D.C. emcee of Nigerian descent FlyG is back for his 10th EP. Properly introducing himself to the underground a couple years ago off his inaugural extended play Soulful Journey, SPCL_CHRCTRS would fully produce the next one Serenade Symphony at the end of last February & rising French producer Drega33 helped him turn more heads with MENNBLVCK a couple months later. MENNBLVCK II followed on Black Friday, reuniting with Drega so they can finally drop MENNBLVCK III coming off both Soundscape Cinema & FlyBlackmanExperience respectively.

“Du$ty Roads” opens with a funky homage to former 3-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, NWA National Heavyweight Champion, WWE Hall of Famer, WWE United States Champion, 2-time WCW World Tag Team Champion & 3-time WCW World Television Champion Dusty Rhodes whereas “F.T.$ho” takes a more soulfully approach instrumentally stripping the drums this time showing off his wordplay.

We get more soul samples coming our way on “B@rry Bonds at Luger $teaks” recalling a dining experience he had where they fucked up his order & he had to give them his business card leading into “Luxurious Abilitie$” embracing a drumless vibe once again talking about him learning that the pathways of success are narrow. After an interlude, “Eye$ Closed” gets the 2nd half of the EP going with more soulful atmosphere discussing how much times have changed.

“MENNBLVCK on “Bro@dway” nears closer towards the conclusion of the trilogy with a soulfully drumless talking about the large amount of free agents who’ve laid out the blueprint while “Keep Tryin’” discusses that it wasn’t ever hard for him to master the pen & a lover who gives him a hard time even when he’s washing dishes. “$un Mediation Methods” concludes MENNBLVCK III with a drumless closer talking about one having to develop their own tricks.

I’ve always considered both installments of the MENNBLVCK series to be some of FlyG’s greatest material & thankfully he’s already been confirmed that the series will keep going since he’s planning to drop MENNBLVCK 4EVER at some point during the 2nd half of 2026 because MENNBLVCK III carries over every satisfactory aspect of it’s predecessors from Drega33’s soulfully drumless production to the DMV artists’ songwriting.

Score: 4/5

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