Crossworm – “Dirtwave” review

This is the 4th EP from Grand Rapids, Michigan rapper, singer/songwriter, producer & Dirtcore Music founder Crossworm. Starting as 1/2 of 2Korpse before branching out on his own for the full-length solo debut Phoenix, this was followed up by a sophomore LP Ready to Burn alongside 2 EPs Mouth Full of Dirt & jaws: Deciduous respectively. Taking a few years off after the latter, he returned in the summer of 2014 by dropping 4 more albums: Parasite Avenue, Drowning in Restricting Thought, Finding X & Eat the Weak. I’ve covered the Gōst EP along with the synthpop inspired ANTI & of course the eponymous Bodies Below Sea Level debut, dropping off not 1 but 2 EPs this month.

“Losing You” kicks off the Dirtwave with a synth-pop intro singing about needing & wanting to get rid of somebody to no avail whereas “Meet Me at My Grave” works in a guitar sample & synthesizers explaining that everything they wouldn’t dare say being in the middle of them. “Watch Us Die” featuring THE H0LL0W goes for a summer vibe advising to sit back & watch their demise while “Out in Space” is another great synth-pop cut. “Drown Me” featuring Grounds gets heavier asking to be drowned if they become weak & “Beyond the Grave” finishes by throwing it back to late 2000s/early 2010s-era LINKIN PARK.

Pretty sure that we were gonna get Shelter Skelter before Dirtwave since that was initially teased a month ago, but I’m fine with it being held off for a couple weeks for a 19 minute EP that recaptures the Depeche Mode influences prominently displayed throughout ANTI a year & a half ago as a warm up to Shelter Skelter since it’s more based around industrial & witch house music. His singing feels reminiscent to the late Chester Bennington at times, both remixes take their original versions to greater levels of quality & Crossworm’s versatility continues to extend further.

Score: 3.5/5

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Action Figure 973 – “DOOM Was Right” review

This is the full-length debut studio album from Belleville, New Jersey emcee/producer Action Figure 973. Somebody whose growing discography comprised of a couple mixtapes & 7 EPs has been steadily making waves in the underground for a few years already, most notably Dark Side of the Ring & it’s sequel. Signing to Bars Over B.S. Records not too long ago, he’s paying tribute to one of my all-time favorites MF DOOM throughout the duration of DOOM Was Right.

WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, The Crash’s inaugural Pesocompleto Campeon & アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン Rey Mysterio gets referenced on the intro “Take Me to Your Leader” as does former 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, FTW Champion, ECW World Television Champion, 3 time ECW World Tag Team Champion, JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン & the longest reigning XPW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu.

“Operation: Doomsday” gives off a jazzier boom bap direction instrumentally referencing former 2-time CWA Heavyweight Champion, 2-time CWA World Tag Team Champion, 2-time SMW Heavyweight Champion & WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler alongside WWE Hall of Famer & AEW’s senior advisor Jim Ross but after “Echelon” dustily talks about not being on the same time as these other lames, the uncannily slow “Nanlib” references 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair.

The infamous fingerpoke of doom spot between the inaugural IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, former 12-time WWE world champion, WWE tag team champion, 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, Real American Beer founder & Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF) co-founder Hulk Hogan and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 5-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & TNA World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash gets referenced on “Nanlib” leading into the soulful “Puerto Rican Wrestling” talking about his rich history.

“Mmm…Food” strips the drums completely so he can talk about going into business for himself while “Madvillainy” featuring Vega7 the Ronin references both the inaugural WWE Universal Champion, former 2-time NXT Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 3-time IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 6-time IWGPジュニアタッグチャンピオン & RPW British Cruiserweight Champion Finn Bálor as well as former 3-time WWE tag team champions The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection & former 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Maven.

Bloo Azul joins Action Figure on “Rae’s Killa Tape” referencing former 14-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & WWE United States Champion Randy Orton alongside WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger while  EricTheRed13 gets his own drumless track with “DOOM Tattoo”. The song “Romantic Comedy” chops up a soul sample to talk about the happiness in his brain prior to “Latin Porn in the 90’s” finishing up by telling us what this woman he’s currently seeing makes him feel.

Coinciding with the current 17-time WWE world champion John Cena’s first defense of his final reign at Backlash XX tomorrow, Action Figure takes a good 35 minutes of DOOM Was Right to show his appreciation for the late Viktor Vaughn’s philosophy of presenting music for what it really is & the luchador’s dexterity gets fully realized in the process. His boom bap production is at it’s most detailed since the UFO Over City Music & the heavy wrestling nods are enough to satisfy Griselda fans who haven’t been too big on their most recent output.

Score: 4/5

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P-Rawb – “Time & Space” review

Brand new EP from New Jersey/Pennsylvania based MC P-Rawb. Getting his start in as 1/2 of The Jerzadelphians with Shane Great, the duo would put out Era of the Getback on Black Friday 2019 & P eventually linked up with London, England, United Kingdom producer Big O to have him handle all the beats on his solo debut The Complexity at the beginning of 2021. Obviously it’s been quite some time since we’ve last heard from the Jerzadelphian & hearing that he was getting back with Big O for Time & Space was destined to be something noteworthy.

After the “Follow My Lead” intro, the first song “Rise to the Top” takes it right to the basement boasting that he’s been swinging his sword over some prominent horns during the hook whereas “Hard Pressed” works in some synthesizers talking about live being a test filled with pain & stress. “Power Within (Searchin’)” featuring Fashawn finds the pair teaming up so they can discuss looking for a new dawn & “For the Gods” featuring L.O.U. & Rxlph ends with the trio talking about seeing y’all at the finishing line.

In honor of The Complexity celebrating its 4-year anniversary at the start of 2025, Time & Space reflects the journey P-Rawb & Big O have taken in both mentally & musically since the last time we’ve heard them together on wax by taking on a fresh sound & new perspective. You can really hear the growth between each of them whether it be Big O’s production skills evolving or the deeply personal topics P covers in the 18 minute duration.

Score: 4/5

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Naomi Sharon – “The Only Love We Know” review

Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands singer/songwriter Naomi Sharon with a brand new EP. Starting in 2018 with her debut single “Breeze”, she would go on to release 4 more singles until Toronto, Ontario, Canada superstar Drake signed her to OVO Sound for an impressive debut Obsidian giving a refreshing take on the way the label delivers alternative R&B going beyond that in favor of neo-soul, afrobeats, afro house, downtempo, sophisti-pop, deep house, ambient pop & smooth soul. Year & half later, Naomi’s back to address The Only Love We Know.

“Bittersweet” is a passionate intro asking if her & her partner can simply be while “Can We Do This Over?” works in elements of smooth soul, sophisti-pop, downtempo, contemporary R&B & neo-soul asking for a redo since she doesn’t want closure. “Calm Waters” finds her wishing on a star pleading to be in the presence of her romantic interest again while “Soft Like Dawn” sings about things not feeling sane when you’re unsure & drifting away. 

The song “Feels Like Home” portrays herself as a woman who deserves better despite sharing in her current relationship & the title track produced the EP’s executive producer Jordan Ullman of Majid Jordan closes out the transformative successor to Obsidian showing some gospel influences reflecting on the time she spent with her ex-husband Jamie Sun.

Aiming to exceed the high expectations her debut had set, Naomi easily clears the new Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR collab album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U and Roy Wood$’ most recent EP Dark Nights diving into the emotional complexity of moving on from experiences that no longer serve your happiness. Jordan’s honest chemistry with OVO’s First Lady crafts a solid base of intricate sophisti-pop, alternative R&B, downtempo, neo-soul & adult contemporary for a journey through the beautiful, the broken & everything in between.

Score: 3.5/5

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Pradabagshawty – “Home Invasions” review

This is the debut mixtape from Columbia, South Carolina born albeit Atlanta, Georgia up-&-comer Pradabagshawty. Introducing himself in the spring of 2023 off Bloxk Addiktion, his popularity within the plugg subgenre of trap continued to grow last year by putting out 3 more EPs in 1 Love as well as his Cegular Records/Sony Music debut 10 Freak Ho’s of course debut Forever & After. His newest EP B What You B only 3 months after inking the Sony deal has quickly become the most popular entry of his catalog so far, returning a few months later to put out Home Invasions.

“She Tinder” kicks off the tape with a plugg instrumental from Dstarkel talking about being in love with his girl as much as he is with the kush whereas “Good Morning” continues to bring a mellow flare to the table referencing the greatest basketball player of all-time Michael Jordan. “Hands Up” feels more like a YounnMoh cut since Pradabag barely has any presence flexing over synthesizers about the bitch he just fucked while “Sweater Weather” refuses to snitch after landing in court unlike Akon.

As for “Hop Aht”, we have Pradabag over some quirky synth leads & hi-hats talking about popping out of the ride with the sticks on him leading into “Showered Up” keeps the plugg vibes going using the backdoor on any opp leaving them for death. “Lucky Charm” heads for a cloudier approach advising anyone who wants to fuck with him to go fuck themselves, but then “Duck” produced by WhyCeg talks about making people hide when he pulls out the Glock.

“3am Lobby” begins the final leg of the tape on a lo-fi trap note boasting that nobody’s doing it like him & riding around with guns on him while “Ruthless” talks about taking issue to people crossing over his squad showing them absolutely no mercy. ImSoMarcus takes up “Too Much” hanging with the slimes instead of lames & after “Shooting Star” lets off rounds at a cop car, “Do Re Mi” wraps it up letting the chopper sing some more.

Other than not being so sure why he takes a backseat in performing every time letting the features take up a good chunk of the tracks they’re on, Home Invasions takes Pradabagshawty even higher as an up-&-coming plugg artist maintaining the quality production of the EP that got me into him back in February breaking down more stories of his life being a gangsta trying to make it out of the trenches.

Score: 4/5

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Rafa – “Madman” review

Here we have the 4th EP from Detroit rapper Rafa. Coming up as a member of the WRLD Tour Mafia a few years ago, he would also begin a solo career of his own starting on Thanksgiving 2020 with his debut EP Not for Household Use & followed it up earlier this year in the form his debut tape Dog$hit & Ammunition. The eponymous mixtape was a pivotal point in his career & Good Girls Don’t Exist from last spring was a superior EP, coming off R.A.F.A. (Rockstars Are Fucking Awesome) to take us on a journey through the mind of a Madman only 48 hours after Samoa Joe of the AEW World Trios Champions The Opps defeated former AEW World Trios Champion, 2-time CZW World Tag Team Champion, JCW World Juggalo Tag Team Champion, PWG World Champion, RPW British Tag Team Champion, 2-time ROH World Champion, 2-time ROH World Tag Team Champion, WWE United States Champion & 7-time WWE tag team champion Claudio Castagnoli at the Masonic Temple for this week’s AEW Dynamite on the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned tbs.

“DOOM” is this horn-inflicted Detroit trap intro talking about all these muhfuckas lifestyles being incomparable to his whereas “Fuck What You Sayin’” goes for a cloudier approach instrumentally calling WRLD Tour the new Dipset & I can even complain. “Rick James” keeps it going talking about how we could see right through these haters while “Chrome Levi Denims” shows off the kind of jeans he’s wearing.

WTM Solid joins Rafa for “Dub Edition” continuing to bring a Detroit trap flare to the table discussing their lifestyles just before “How U Feel Twin” turns up the psychedelia so he can tell us exactly the way he feelin’ & giving a middle finger to anyone who wants to go up against his squad. “Dirty Faygos” atmospherically declares his love for mixing codeine with the local soda brand Faygo leading into “Ozzy” of course references Black Sabbath frontman & WWE Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne.

The song “Cornhuskers” kicks off the final leg of Madman by talking about being that muhfucka making plays & refusing to let anyone eat if they ain’t putting in the hustle while “What’s New?” suggests that an individual who went against him should stay where he’s already at since Rafa’s through with him at this point. The outro heavily builds itself around some synthesizers making it clear he’s rolling dice everyday without giving a fuck.

4 months since his full-length studio debut displaying his versatility through the usage of cloud rap alongside rap rock & rage, Rafa’s back portraying himself to be a Madman after initially opening the diaries a few months ago. The production carries over the trillwave & Detroit trap elements that were present throughout R.A.F.A. (Rockstars Are Fucking Awesome), except the rage & rap rock undertones are both being left out of the equation.

Score: 3.5/5

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Kali Uchis – “Sincerely,” review

Alexandria, Virginia singer/songwriter Kali Uchis making her Capitol Records debut with her 5th studio LP. My introduction to her was my senior year of high school when Tyler, The Creator set to make his theatrical debut in the upcoming A24 Films sports adventure comedy-drama Marty Supreme with Timothée Chalamet this Christmas produced “Call Me” on her first EP Por Vida & isola†ion went on to become a stellar debut album. She even has a couple Latin pop projects under her belt with the Interscope Records-backed Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞ & her final Geffen Records offering Orquídeas, picking up where her Geffen debut Red Moon in Venus left off by basing Sincerely, on a life-altering event.

“Heaven’s a Home” from a songwriting standpoint brings everything full circle from when Hardstone Records founder & Cactus Jack Records signee Don Toliver got her pregnant with their son & her mom being diagnosed with lung cancer tragically passing away recently over delicate instrumentation whereas “Sugar! Honey! Love!” takes the psychedelic soul route singing about doing time for a crime she didn’t even commit. “Lose My Cool,” delivers a 2-parter addressing an individual who makes her lose her temper around them while “It’s Just Us” warmly assures that Don & her were meant to be in love.

The concept of love to a gun on “For: You” feels a lot like “A Boy is a Gun” off IGOR going for a synth-heavy sound leading into the self-produced “Silk Lingere,” finds her trying to figure how this person she knew falling for someone who turned out to be more complicated & flawed than expected . “Territorial” sings never being the type to want someone else’s man regardless of how reckless she may come off prior to Fall Apart,” wanting to know if Donny Womack would still love her with things get difficult & being in an eternal honeymoon with one another.

“All I Can Say” finds herself refusing to apologize for the kind of person she is because of everything belonging to her while “Daggers!” sings about hating the way this woman in her life is being treated by her man wishing that she could see herself the way at Kali sees her. “Angels All Around Me…” unravels a religious side to herself praying that the family she & Don Toliver have started stay peacefully protected while “Breeze” hooks up some choir vocals singing about the familiar emotions of fear & worrying hold absolutely no worth in our lives from what she’s learned.

The lead single “Sunshine & Rain” was one that brought together neo-soul, contemporary R&B psychedelic soul & bedroom pop staying devoted to Don through life’s ups & downs expressing her belief in karma & divine guidance while questioning society losing it’s way with me attributing that to this past election 6 months ago & “I.L.Y.S.M.I.H. (I Love You So Much It Hurts)” ends with a soft rock, pop soul, adult contemporary, brill building & psychedelic soul dedication to her son conceived only hours after she brought him into this world.

“Cry About It!” featuring Ravyn Lenae starts the deluxe run with a poppy, bilingual smooth soul single with a hint of brill building to it mocking Don’s ex-girlfriend while “Whispers of the Wind…” asks if he loves her with all of his heart. “Pretty Promises,” featuring Mariah the Scientist produced by benny blanco & Cashmere Cat finds the 2 pleading their partners to not break any promises to them & after “Cherry on Top” sings about finding a relationship where they can be their true selves, the final bonus track “All of the Good” finishes with 1 last tribute to her mom.

Kali’s official Capitol debut marks as her strongest since her debut 7 years ago facing the complexities of life head on trying to find joy in life despite the world falling apart in front of us, appreciating every moment & not taking life for granted expanding beyond contemporary R&B in favor of pop soul, smooth soul, neo-soul, psychedelic soul, bedroom pop, adult contemporary & brill building. Becoming a mother has easily resulted in her most existentially honest body of work & am curious as to the way her next Latin pop album goes.

Score: 4.5/5

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No Windows – “The Great Traitor” review

No Windows are an indie rock duo from Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom consisting of guitarist, bassist & drummer Morgan Morris alongside lead single Verity Slangen. Releasing their first 2 EPs No Windows & Fish Boy independently, they would land a deal with Fat Possum Records to take themselves to the next level on Point Nemo last spring & are back a little over a whole year later to do it again by putting out their 4th EP.

“Brown Bear” is this acoustic intro singing about feeling a lot clearer now than she did in the past whereas “Return” was a great indie rock lead acknowledging not hiding how they feel very well & their uncleanliness with the water being unclear as it already is. “Tricky” keeps it stripped back lyrically exploring the concepts of love & infatuation while “Sugarcoat” sings about being fucked from the start. “Old Chain Pier” is an indie rock ballad finding oneself at a stage in life no longer looking back in disgust & “Easter Island” acoustically wraps up the EP feeling worst in the mornings.

The Great Traitor expands No Windows’ sonic territory even further by leaving the more familiar indie traits behind in favour of lush, psychedelic arrangements that take their cues from 70s chamber pop & Jon Brion. Produced with Ali Chant, the recording process took them out of Morgan’s DIY bedroom set-up & into a studio where they had access to a breadth of instruments that allowed for more exploration across the EP’s 6 tracks marking a transitional period for the duo both as a band & as individuals.

Score: 3.5/5

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PinkPantheress – “Fancy That” review

PinkPantheress is a 24 year old singer/songwriter & producer from Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom catching the eye of Elektra Records for her first couple EPs To Hell with It including at least 3 remixes I like more than the original versions & Take Me Home to high acclaim. Warner Records later brought her over to establish herself as a dominant force in modern alt-pop & contemporary R&B on her full-length debut Heaven Knows, teasing a sophomore effort with her 3rd EP.

“Illegal” begins the EP sampling “Dark & Long”by Underworld to delve into a relationship that she’s trying to keep on the low with the fear of being caught in mind by the public eye whereas the original version “Girl Like Me” excluding the KAYTRANADA remix samples “Romeo” by Basement Jaxx & Kele Le Roc during the hook talking about not being a fan of the way things are moving.“Tonight” goes for a dance-pop, bassline, speed garage & contemporary R&B direction flipping “Do You Know What I’m Seeing?” by Panic! At the Disco expressing a mature side to herself while “Stars” is pretty much a homage to “Starz in Their Eyes” by Just Jack.

After an intermission, “Noises” explains the feeling of uneasiness while being home alone making good use of a Nardo Wick sample as somebody who’s not a big fan of his own music just before “Nice to Know You” samples “Spiral” by William Orbit, Kenna & the Sugababes singing about being a mess. “Stateside” explores her growth as an artist with it’s use of breakbeat, dance-pop, nu skool breaks, breakstep, UK street soul & big beat explaining her dating life pretty much being only long distance relationships & “Romeo” sampling “Good Luck” by Basement Jaxx finishes likening her & her partner to Romeo & Juliet

Representing everything kitsch & UK-centric, PinkPantheress continues to break ground as one of the biggest popstars of this decade taking on board with what appealed to her during the recording process of Fancy That using dance-pop, UK garage, 2-step, contemporary R&B, alt-pop, breakbeat, nu skool breaks, breakstep, UK street soul, bassline & speed garage to make it feel like a statement is being made with the 9 track EP clocking at 20 & a half minutes.

Score: 4.5/5

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Weiland – “You Can’t Climb the Mountain in N.Y.” review

This is the 3rd EP from Tampa, Florida rapper, singer/songwriter, producer & audio engineer Weiland. Coming up almost a decade ago off his debut EP Insomnia, his first couple mixtapes Packrunner & Grimey Life resulted in Victor Victor Worldwide signing him for the synthpop inspired Vices to high acclaim. 3 long years later, he’s back with You Can’t Climb the Mountain in N.Y. ahead of him & Victor Victor alumni Summrs’ upcoming collab EP.

“Let You Go” featuring Summrs gives us a taste of what’s to come from the previously mentioned collaborative EP talking about being friend-zoned whereas “The Girl’s Not Mine” blends synthpop & dance-pop together to back off on rumors of a chick claiming he’s their boyfriend. “Promise” works in more synthesizers assuring that things won’t ever be the same going forward & the title track ends with Part Time relying heavier with the synths instrumentally asking if there’s anyone out there.

It’s already been a little over 3 years since Vices helped usher in an exciting new era of synthpop along with The Weeknd’s new trilogy of albums that already rivals his original mixtape trilogy & breaks free from Universal Music Group expanding on the sounds of his last album that marked a stylistic departure from his previous material & showcasing more coldwave influences to a lesser extent even if I prefer Hurry Up Tomorrow a bit more.

Score: 4.5/5

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