Slaine – “A New State of Grace” review

Boston, Massachusetts veteran Slaine has returned with his 6th LP. Most notable for being a member of La Coka Nostra, he released an EP & a total of 4 mixtapes before coming through with his debut album A World with No Skies in 2011 under Suburban Noize Records. This was followed up with The Boston Project in 2013 as well as The King of Everything the year after that, but the man went took a 3-year hiatus following the release of the Slaine is Dead EP in 2016 & returned by dropping the mature 1 Day in 2019. It’s been a while since The Things We Can’t Forgive, but he’s locking in with Statik Selektah to enter A New State of Grace.

The title track opens up by jumping over some synthesizers & a vocal sample talking about going places there usually isn’t any coming back from whereas “Cancel Culture” by La Coka Nostra tackles that very subject on top of a boom bap instrumental. “Listen Up” meshes these quirky synths with kicks & snares for a b-boy anthem just before “Ambition of the Crown” featuring Millyz talks about playing with fire being a dangerous thing when aiming at the king.

“It’s All Good” continues with an apology for someone he hurt whilst thanking them for being a true friend of his while “Ain’t Been the Same” talks about waking up saying hello to his new life & adios to his old one. “Coka Grillz” by La Coka Nostra featuring Paul Wall was a great single with everyone spraying lyrical bullets at those looking to battle them while “Crumbled God” featuring Rasheed Chappell & 1982 takes a more conscious approach topically.

“The Real Shit” featuring Masta Ace & O.C. starts A New State of Grace’s final leg with the trio over a piano-tinged boom bap instrumental talking about times eternally changing while “Gusto” featuring O.T. the Real & Statik KXNG samples “In Memory Of…” by Gang Starr to see who can spit the illest verse. “World Don’t Stop” concludes with a heartfelt outro talking about the future making sense in hindsight.

Capturing the energy of A State of Grace original whilst carrying the weight as well as the wisdom & scars of everything that’s happened since, A New State of Grace seems like a homecoming of sorts regarding Slaine & Statik Selektah’s friendship dating back 2 decade. From the latter’s signature boom bap sound to the sharp lyricism balancing bravado with the maturity of 1 Day & The Things We Can’t Forgive, the sequel to Slaine’s most beloved tape raises the bar both it’s predecessors have set in the late 2010s/early 2020s.

Score: 4.5/5

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1oneam – “Sin Ever After” review

1oneam is a 21 year old rapper & producer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who’s released a couple mixtapes as well as an untitled full-length debut & 10 EPs since the beginning of this ongoing decade. House Party dropped exactly 104 weeks ago & elevated his popularity in the plugg scene, something that he would capitalize on 7 months later when 1 Life came out. With only a week away from Halloween, the cr3stfallen & requiem member has returned for a sophomore effort.

“Tags” produced by TDF immediately caught my attention soon as I began playing the album flexing his wealth prior to “Marriott” talking about moving at the same speed of life itself with no intentions of stopping. “Stuck to Him” gives a shoutout to all his haters simply because he gets to stomp on them now that he’s chillin’ on rooftops while the self-produced “Up to Something” blocks anyone asking for a handout.

Moving on from there, “I Can Fly” thanks all his Day 1 supporters for always believing in him & staying locked in while “Outside” talks about sending shots to the head soon as he steps off the porch with his twin. “Match My Vibe” asks the chick that he’s seeing if she can has the same level of aura as him after a long day while “Who Am I?” talks about maturing & betting himself right.

“Cloud 9” reaches the halfway point of Sin Ever After giving that very response to the people asking him where he’s been lately leading into “Golden Token” talking about his whole squad being with the shits. “Just Like Me” suggests that he might sip the lean a little slower than usual & giving 0 fucks if anyone likes him until “Understand Me” splits itself into 2 halves feeling as if he’s misunderstood.

gyro jumps behind the boards for the rage-inducing “Let It Go” telling his girl not to worry over something insignificant & after “Fuck the Talk” references the greatest basketball player of all-time Michael Jordan, we have 1oneam talking about his preference of having a strong team beside him on “call me” in addition to getting the bag before some of his former friends betrayed him.

“Ain’t My Life” gets the final moments of the LP rollin’ talking about a hoe wanting him to save here even though that’s not a part of his lifestyle at all & once “Did You Mean It?” promises the girl who’s been having him go crazy that he’s gonna get her right by buying her the Mercedes she’s been wanting, “No New Friends” sends it all off by talking about a 1 man team due to the fact all these other people are like zombies while “Agent 47” starts the deluxe run comparing himself to the main protagonist of the Hitman series of stealth video games.

The man from the same city as the longest reigning 4-time JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion & 2-time IWA World Champion Corporal Robinson uses “Lifestyle (How Can You)” as a moment to shout out all the homies who look up to him while “5G” samples one of Future’s greatest singles “March Madness” talking about being richer & older now. “Everyday” assures that his closest friends can call him whenever he’s needed while “Make Her Dance” recaptures the energy of “Bandz a Make Her Dance” by Juicy J featuring ColleGrove.

“Petrol” talks about carrying a stick around at him at all times as if he’s the late Tom Clancy while “Chainsmoker” boasts that he’ll flex up anywhere with no fucks given. “Hope You Know” talks about spending $100K on his brand new whip leaving all the women geeking hard while “Who’s You?” clarifies he’s tryna have some fun with the chick he has in mind that he can’t save regardless of him being unable to save anyone. The final bonus track “Calm B4 Storm” tries to defuse his girl’s frustrations promising he can buy anything when he’s in the store.

Glimpses of 1oneam’s potential in the plugg scene have already revealed itself all over some his previous projects like 1 Life & 1 Death, but Sin Ever After somewhat reminds me of Devstacks’ most recent album 4SOULJASONLY in the sense of Dev putting his signature regalia sound to the side so he can embrace more traditional trap production except that the secondary influences of regalia are being replaced with plugg & crafting his greatest LP as a result.

Score: 4/5

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Miguel – “Caos” review

Miguel is a 40 year old singer/songwriter, actor & producer from Los Angeles, California introducing himself in 2010 off his moderate full-length debut All I Want is You. His sophomore effort albeit RCA Records debut Kaleidoscope Dream & Wildheart would both go on to become some of the most beloved alternative R&B of the previous decade, although War & Leisure towards the end of 2017 was moderately received. However, he’s finally making a return to music with his 5th studio album to celebrate his birthday.

The title track & final single begins by showing off his bilingual singing chops over an apocalyptic instrumental whereas “The Killing” works in a psychedelic guitar reminiscent of “PRIDE.” by Kendrick Lamar for a nod to the Outlawz single “Hail Mary”. We get breakbeats, deep house & alternative R&B colliding during the self-produced single “RIP” trying to figure out if he’s in heaven or hell leading into the psychedelic soul-inspired “New Martyrs (Ride 4 U)” asking his new lover if she’s with it or not.

“Triggered” sings about how beautiful it is to him for this woman he has in mind explodes & loves him in her rage leading into the Spanish neo/psychedelic soul single “El Pleito” co-produced by DJ Dahi ponders the idea of going dark because he’s been in his feeling lately. We get some more silky guitar riffs during “Perderme” desiring to mate with his new lover until they face into eternity while “Oscillate” seductively sings about wanting this female to come heal these thoughts of his & make him feel indestructible.

Starting the final leg, “Nearsight (SID)” ethereally advises for this woman to slow it down because he’s certain that he won’t feel the way he is ever again while “Angel’s Song” brings the psychedelic guitars for a tribute to his son Angelito. “Always Time” nears the end of the Caos with some grungier elements thanks to Jeff Bhasker & Jerry Duplessis reflecting on his marriage to his long-time partner Nazanin Mandi since their divorce was finalized in 2023 & “Comma / Karma” featuring Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton sends off the LP with a 2-parter.

Learning that transformation can be a violent process, Caos sonically bends said violence into a triumphant comeback for the alternative R&B trailblazer that lands directly in the middle of War & Leisure’s political & personal subject matter with the darkest musical opus of Miguel’s entire career since a lot has happened to him in both of those aspects of his life. His vision’s a lot clearer than it’s been previously, giving rare insight through music & visual storytelling while inviting listeners to confront & harness our own turmoils.

Score: 4/5

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Bruiser Wolf – “Made by Dope” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Bruiser Wolf releasing his 4th studio LP. 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 21 months ago. Potluck quickly became his most celebrated work back in May for good reasons & had higher expectations for Made by Dope due to Harry Fraud solely producing it himself.

“Tubi” named after the Fox Corporation’s streaming service of the same name airing new episodes of the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE’s new secondary developmental brand EVOLVE every Wednesday night with Jackson Drake, Cappucino Jones & Kendal Grey currently reigning as WWE EVOLVE Champion, WWE ID Champion & WWE EVOLVE Women’s Champion works in some soulful sampling to symbolize his diamonds of a rock & a hard place whereas the lead single “Raised by Dope” featuring Benny the Butcher talks about the dope fiends making them who they are today.

We get a bit of a drumlessly jazzy vibe on “Against the Odds” promising that the best from him has only yet to come prior to the 2nd & final single “Eye Owe You”talks about coming from the bottom & things being up from hereon out keeping the drums out of the equation once more. “The Money Say” featuring Mick Jenkins fuses soul & jazz being advised by the paper in their pockets to not play with opps while “My Whole Life” luxuriously talks about repping the 313 for as long as he can remember.

“Connect 4” featuring Curren$y finds the pair flexing that they send people out for cream like dermatologists while “Layup Lines” soulfully talks about getting used to this new world. “The Spaniard” featuring his fellow Bruiser Brigade brethren ZelooperZ refuses handouts because everyone has something to say & after “Boss Up” talks about improving your game, “Heart Broke” closes by saying that he’s enlisted in a 1-man army & that it saddens him whenever the paper comes slowly.

Stemmed from the Potluck sessions after working on “Air Fryer” & “Baby You” respectively, Made by Dope elevates the expansiveness of it’s predecessor 5 months earlier with one of my favorite albums of 2025 & the greatest entry of Bruiser Wolf’s discography yet. His unique flow reminds me of E-40 & Suga Free even though comparisons to the Warner Bros.-owned Quick Draw McGraw/Yogi Bear Show character Snagglepuss have been made on Twitter recently with Harry Fraud’s production perfecting the drumless, jazz rap & chipmunk soul elements from this spring.

Score: 4.5/5

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Babystaydown – “Art of War” review

Athens, Georgia up-&-comer Babystaydown dropping off his sophomore effort 5 months since his full-length studio debut. Somebody who already has 15 EPs under his belt including Intrusion, 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, Pain Before Pleasure, Chief 13, Aimai, I.L.M.F. (I Love My Friends), ##Kool ##Kat & the Lost Files duology. However, his inaugural LP Born Anew this spring maintained the same level as all 3 of his extended plays on Cegular in terms of propelling his status in the underground & Art of War following his Red Flags & Roses appearance had me intrigued.

“Shoota” produced by Rafmade & SOULJASPIRITS opens by talking about pulling up to the spot with a bunch of gunmen surrounding him whereas “After All” pulls inspiration from Lil Uzi Vert & Lil Wayne suggesting to everyone around his premises to move the fuck out the way before he goes on a full rampage. “Switched My Tool” talks about having to swapping out the dot attached to his Glock because the firearm got too hot & spraying shit up without bluffin’ while “Cash Flow” promotes violence & money.

Whyceg jumps behind the boards for “Dead Wrong” cutting bitches off like fades leading “All Bad” talking about being rich as fuck along with quitting green lean to consume the purpler stuff over a cloudy Hariroc beat. “Don’t Fuck with T194” featuring Pradabagshawty finds the 2 labelmates teaming up so they can talk about not partaking in using acetaminophen or oxycodone hydrochloride leading into self-awareness settling in on “Luv Raging” knowing this bitch lying when she says she loves him.

“Goofy AF” featuring byarmyy joins forces over a Traiqo instrumental shrugging off all the lames who really ain’t be saying much of anything while “D.P.W.D. (Don’t Play Wit Dat)” talks about running up checks in his sleep & all of his hoes being freaks. “Babii Babii” embraces a pluggier vibe speaking of his life going brazy ever since he finally made it out of the pavement while “Lie” talks about saying whatever you want regarding him even if he & everyone else knows it’s false.

The song “Blumagic 15” begins Art of War’s final act with Babystaydown hopping over a plugg beat recalling being so high the night earlier to the point that he couldn’t see a thing & after “Same Faces” warns that if any of his friends wind up dead if they cross the line of betrayals, “Oh My Baby” finishes with an 112 second outro that mxrt4lity laced apologizing to a woman he’s no longer involved with romantically because him breaking her heart although he claims intention of doing so.

Hate da Way Um Livin marked a huge turning point in Babystaydown’s career as it seemed like the beginning of an artistic evolution further explored on Pain Before Pleasure, Chief 13, Aimai, I.L.M.F. (I Love My Friends), ##Kool ##Kat, both entries of the Lost Files series & Born Anew. Art of War brings that growth full circle joining B What You B & Home Invasions in becoming the most essential listening experiences in the Cegular Records catalog only a few months away from the 2 year anniversary of the plugg label’s founding.

Score: 4/5

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Tame Impala – “Deadbeat” review

Kevin Parker or better known by his stage name Tame Impala is a 39 year old singer/songwriter, musician, producer & DJ from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia making his full length debut Innerspeaker back when I was finishing up 7th grade & came back during my sophomore year of high school for the widely acclaimed follow-up Lonerism. Currents a couple months after my high school graduation has already become amongst the greatest albums of the 2010s & The Slow Rush would be more moderately received, returning halfway through the ongoing decade to make his major label debut under Columbia Records with his 5th studio LP.

“My Old Ways” begins with him singing over a house instrumental about falling back into his old habits whereas the “No Reply” shouts out the Fox Corporation’s flagship network’s animated hit series Family Guy every Friday night going for a tech house vibe. “Dracula” was my favorite single personally fusing nu-disco, dance-pop, alternative R&B, synth-funk, boogie, synthpop, French electro & Halloween music singing about the way daylight makes him feel just before “Loser” mixes neo-psychedelia, psychedelic pop, indie pop, synth-funk, indie rock & funk rock together gives a nod to the Beck track of the same name.

My least favorite track on Deadbeat & maybe one of the worst Tame Impala songs I’ve ever heard goes to “Oblivion” for it’s repetitiveness & weak vocal performances, which is a shame because I don’t mind the tropical house beat whatsoever. The instrumental on “Not My World” feels reminiscent to the soundtrack of the PS2 game Jak & Daxter always taking the long way to give each day it’s own meaning & after the Pet Sounds-inspired “Piece of Heaven” sings about lying all your life not making any differences, “Obsolete” goes full blown dance-pop to ask if his love is outdated.

“Ethereal Connection” starts the final leg of the album with my favorite tech house song here promising his family that he’ll always be with them until the end of time & despite the peppy synthesizers on “See You on Monday (You’re Lost)”, the lazily repetitive songwriting bogs it down tremendously. “Afterthought” tackles insecurity over a bass-line kin to the late Michael Jackson’s timeless “Thriller” while “End of Summer” finishes by pulling from melodic techno, progressive house, deep house & melodic house

Given the amount of time it’s been since Deadbeat & The Slow Rush, my anticipation for the musical genius that is Kevin Parker a.k.a. Tame Impala’s return turned to slight disappointment because his full foray in electronic dance music & dance pop leaves me more divided than I’ve ever been with his material. I additionally don’t have any issues with the fatherhood theme or the secondary influences of alt-pop, tech house, indietronica, neo-psychedelia & synthpop. It’s simply not anything special compared to what he’s done previously.

Score: 3/5

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Gucci Mane – “Episodes” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper, record executive & entrepreneur Gucci Mane celebrating 1017 Day with his 17th album. Notable for being one of the Big 3 pioneers in trap music alongside T.I. & Jeezy, of course you can’t forget to mention him having one of if not the largest discography throughout the entire subgenre that continues to grow today. Breath of Fresh Air exactly 2 years ago was a decent 2-disc offering & to coincide with his new memoir, the 1017 Global founder has recorded a companion soundtrack to Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Madman.

The title track produced by Pooh Beatz works in some pianos, hi-hats & a 2 Chainz vocal sample to talk about going crazy until taking the soulful trap route instrumentally so he can reflect going from bad dreams to “Beautiful Nightmares”. We get some more pitched sampling during “Voices” talking about dropping all of his artists besides Pooh Shiesty & Foogiano leading into “Psycho” questioning if his mental health has been declining.

“Gucci Special” vibrantly talks about leaving the whole parking lot annoyed after pulling up to kill that bitch while “Only Time” cautions at the last time someone tried to fuck with him, he almost caught a murder case. “Still So Icy” playfully talks about feeling like WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson with 2 tigers in his crib just before “Rich N***a Problems” breaks down the cons that come with being wealthy from his own personal experiences.

The chipmunk soul/trap fusions from earlier carry their way onto “I Need You” throwing a hint of pop rap into the mix paying tribute to his wife Keyshia while “Cold” swaps out the soul elements in favor of acoustics talking about going from the bed to the floor with his wife. “In Common” discusses the similarities between him & women who don’t take shit from anyone while “Savages” flexes that your favorite actress is on her knees kissing his ring.

“Money” locks in with Murda Beatz to talk about his children loving to spend their bread & him falling asleep with stacks in bed while “Forest” with co-production from Bricks da Mane boasts of him moving invincibly because of the invulnerability he’s had throughout his whole career. “Record Deal” talks about his way of life being waking up while chasing bags while “Real” discusses his boss status & 2 decade plus longevity over synthesizers & hi-hats.

OJ da Juiceman appears for the nostalgic “Back Cooking” taking it back to the mid/late 2000s whipping work again while “Preference” talks about not having any kind of favorite hoes over Honorable C.N.O.T.E. incorporating some pianos. “You Don’t Love Me” featuring Sexyy Red samples “I Think I Love Her” playing off one another’s verses perfectly while “Hit” featuring Bossman DLow didn’t need to be included whatsoever since it originally appeared on DLow Curry.

“Heard” starts the final leg of Episodes by talking about hearing all kinds of crazy regarding a hoe he’s familiar with whether it be the sex causing men to break the law & not having a car as a result of low income while the soulful trap hybrid “Lust or Love” asks the woman he has in mind what her intentions with him. “Just Like Me” finishes it all of with 1 final trap song talking about spending money like it grows on trees.

I‘m still pretty in different towards Breath of Fresh Air, but Episodes surpasses what very few expectations I had going into it with the most enjoyable Gucci Mane album since Ice Daddy excluding the So Icy Boyz compilation. The production Pooh Beatz primarily handles is significantly more interesting than it was 104 weeks previously & thematically, he’s basically giving the world a look at his own struggles with mental health.

Score: 3.5/5

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Ty$ – “Tycoon” review

Ty$ is a 43 year old singer/songwriter, rapper, musician & producer from Los Angeles, California becoming popular during my 1st half of high school when his 3rd mixtape Beach House dropped. Signing to both Atlantic Records & Taylor Gang Entertainment afterwards, his full-length debut Free TC in the fall of 2015 was welcomed to warm reception although Beach House 3 & Featuring Ty$ were both merely average compared to it’s predecessor. He’s also a part of the duos MihTy with Jeremih & of course ¥$ alongside one of my top 10 producers of all-time Ye or formerly known as Kanye West, the latter making their debut with Vultures during Super Bowl LVII weekend & dropping a widely panned sequel almost 6 months later. Unfortunately due to Ye’s deteriorating behavior on Twitter between February & May, the final chapter of the planned Vultures trilogy has been cancelled & the EZMNY Records founder has shifted his focus towards what could be his greatest solo album ever.

“Can’t Be Fucked Wit” opens with a 2-parter swimming with the sharks & asking what would you for the chance to become a magnate whereas “Don’t Kill the Party” featuring Quavo with the Shoreline Mafia on the remix produced by BNYX of Working on Dying, Juicy J & Ye survives the Vultures 3 sessions talking about being too geeked. “December 31” featuring A$AP Rocky yearns to have both of their respective lovers to themselves because that’s been their main focuses evident through Don’t Be Dumb’s constant delays while the hyphy/pop rap single “Smile Body Pretty Face” featuring YG talks about a couple making the same mistakes together.

Tory Lanez’ appearance on the final single “Show Me Love” was completely unnecessary despite the Hitmaka instrumental & the lyrics of wanting affection shown towards them whenever they pull up to your city while “Tycoon$” featuring Lil Baby & Young Thug trades the mic with one another boasting their wealth. The lead single “All In” meshes Afrobeats & Jersey club rap sampling “No Letting Go” by Wayne Wonder thanks to Wax Motif asking to spoil Izabella Metz while “Twitch” featuring Tyga & 2 Chainz locks in with DJ Mustard bringing their respective squads out to the club for the evening.

“What I Want” featuring Lil Wayne talks about women they don’t necessarily need her still desire while “Say It” featuring Playboi Carti on the remix longs for genuine affection towards a woman who claims to love him even though she doesn’t show it referencing the late Black Sabbath frontman & WWE Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne during Carti’s verse. “On Repeat” featuring Destroy Lonely & Rich the Kid talking about no one being slicker than them & after “Harder” suggests that maybe he should be “pushing it” a bit more firmly, “Mixed Emotions” featuring Leon Thomas III & Travis Scott talks about finding women to trust over a Taurus beat.

Chlöe later joins Ty$ for the song “Wit It”, starting the final leg of Tycoon to whip up another contemporary R&B/pop rap fusion while “I Wish” asks if we can all simply get along & wishing for Ty’s older brother Big TC to do the things he can do if he wasn’t incarcerated. “Wheels Fall Off” by ¥$ ruins a trap instrumental DJ Camper & Ye cooked up together showing minor influences of R&B, trap soul & ratchet with a YeI verse although I absolutely appreciate Puff Daddy a.k.a. P. Diddy or Diddy being removed from both the start & finish of it.

Many people including myself have considered Ty$ to be a features artist since his last couple of full-lengths haven’t really lived up to Free TC but since he outperformed Ye on both entries of the cancelled Vultures trilogy a year earlier, Tycoon presents the EZMNY Records founder at the top of his game artistically exactly a week away from his biggest signing’s new EP Pholks. Although a few guests punch under their weight, I like that it’s shorter than both Beach House 3 & Featuring Ty$ were in addition to providing the audience a look at where he’s at in his career both artistically & personally.

Score: 3.5/5

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PARTYOF2 – “Amerika’s Next Top Party!” review

PARTYOF2 is a pop rap & alternative R&B/trap duo from Los Angeles, California consisting of Jadagrace & SWIM. Initially founded as a quartet with TJOnline & Rhea under the name Grouptherapy., the latter would depart after their debut EP This Isn’t the Album although TJOnline stuck around for their debut mixtape There Goes the Neighborhood as well as their 2nd EP Truth Be Told & the full-length debut I Was Mature for My Age, But I Was Still a Child. Signing to Def Jam Recordings earlier this spring, they’re ready to make their major label debut with a sophomore effort hot off a few viral singles.

“Survivor’s Remorse” starts with SWIM calling Jada being his saving grace since they fixed up a burnt down home & made it safe again whereas the 3rd & final single “Out of Body” blends rap rock, experimental hip hop, nu metal & pop rap talking about their hearts being on fire. “Just Dance 2” was actually the lead single crossing over Miami bass, hip house, electro diva house & pop rap looking to turn the function up leading into “Friendly Fire” playfully dissing one another.

As for “Vanessa Williams”, we have PARTYOF2 over an orchestral beat talking about wanting their partners to be legitimate & for their friends to become rich while “Feel Love” produced by KAYTRANADA taps into the latter’s signature deep house sound feeling like their hearts are ready to run & looking to keep up with one another. “Poser” has one of the catchiest hooks on the entire LP clapping back at those who’re posing over a tuba until advising to “Save Yourself” with heavy pianos.

“High” starts the final leg of Amerika’s Next Top Party! with a bit of a cloudier vibe looking to get some shit off their minds by smoking some good weed & once “Big” instrumentally throws it back to when The Neptunes dominated the airwaves in the early 2000s talking about wanting big game in this large world, “Heaven on Earth” ends the LP with another one of their most essential tracks looking to escape Earth up until the “Epilogue” skit.

Starting the deluxe run, “2 Nights in LA” comes through with a 2-parter describing 2 evenings in the their hometown while “Punk B!tch” gets aggressive for a mosh pit anthem. “Plan B” breaks down their desire of becoming one of the greatest pairings when it’s all said & done while “Mad Love” talk about being in love with their haters. Both “All 4 the Best” & the final bonus track “We Owe You an Explanation” however address TJ’s departure a year & a half ago.

Taking inspiration from SWIM’s parents getting divorced & the death of Jadagrace’s father, PARTYOF2’s inaugural release for Def Jam Recordings celebrates this new incarnation of Grouptherapy. by getting more creative on the production side of things expanding their pop rap & alternative R&B styles in favor of experimental hip hop, trap, contemporary R&B, rap rock, nu metal, hip house, Miami bass, electro diva house & deep house maintaining a chemistry kin to The Carters or will.i.am & Fergie when she was still a member of The Black Eyed Peas. The prominent theme of growing up can also be likened to Joey Valence & Brae’s major label debut Hyperyouth this past summer.

Score: 4/5

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Ashnikko – “Smoochies” review

Ashnikko is a 29 year old rapper & singer/songwriter from Oak Ridge, North Carolina who caught the attention of Parlophone Records & Warner Records off her debut EP Sass Pancakes. Unlikeable & Hi, It’s Mewould go on to prelude her 4th EP Demidevil, with the latter dividing the musical discourse. Her debut album Weedkiller reached the same level of moderacy Hi, It’s Me did & some of her greatest singles yet have been building up towards her sophomore effort with curious expectations.

“Smoochie Girl” begins with a pop rap, contemporary R&B, hyphy & electropop single talking about falling for someone whereas the hedonistically erotic “Liquid” explores her desires with her partner. “Trinkets” blends bubblegum bass, dance-pop, Baltimore club, hyperpop & hip house likening her collecting boys to collecting small ornaments prior to “Chinchinya” describing her dog Wednesday gruesomely attacking her ex referring to a nickname for Wednesday when she’s misbehaving.

Moving on from there with “Skin Cleared”, we have Ashnikko refining what she was going for during both the Demidevil & Weedkiller eras feeling happier & healthier as a result of a breakup just before “Microplastics” embraces a sassier tone showing a bit of a L.A.M.B. (Love.Angel.Music.Baby.) era Gwen Stefani influence. “Full Frontal” however uses lobotomies as a metaphor for letting go even if it’s only for a brief moment while “She’s So Pretty” takes a wholesome approach describing a woman who she can’t live without.

“Wet Like” featuring COBRAH starts the 2nd half of Smoochies fusing future house, bass house, electro hop & hip house embracing lust & hedonism fully while “I Want My Boyfriends to Kiss” confesses a fantasy of her 2 male lovers making out to each other making room for her sense of humor during the outro. “Sticky Fingers” combines pop rap, contemporary R&B, dance-pop & Arabic pop to talk about wanting to invest her time into her friends or new skills while “Lip Smacker” spends 2 & a half minutes getting cunty.

Pop rap, tech house & bass house all collide on the playful lead single “Itty Bitty” talking about tiny skirts healing a broken heart prior to “Baby Teeth” bittersweetly reflecting the good & the bad times of a relationship over an electropop instrumental with a banjo. Of course I can’t forget to mention the lo-fi country pop closer “It Girl”, where she’s singing about the concept of a young female who’s achieved everything in life being a short-lived feat from her perspective.

Tossing the whole Dungeons & Dragons concept of her debut out the window due to fatigue was a very smart move for Ashnikko to make because her getting more autobiographical with Demidevil‘s older sister Smoochies is a key reason I consider it to be the most gratifying work of her entire career. Gotta mention Slinger’s production ditching the trap influences of Ash’s previous work entirely to incorporate elements of electropop, bubblegum bass, dance-pop, electro house & electro hop in the midst of her signature pop rap sound.

Score: 3.5/5

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