Arcade Fire, Pink Elephant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❌ Arcade Fire is back with a new album. There was a time when a new Arcade Fire album would have been met with Earth shattering hype, but in recent years that excitement has dulled. After two disappointing albums, and some allegations against frontman Win Butler, that is to be expected.  But this album represents a big turnaround, and they did it in the most unexpected way possible: Not trying to make an Arcade Fire album. While their last album, WE, felt like them trying to make an Arcade Fire greatest hits album, this feels like...

Blondshell, If You Asked For a Picture ⭐️⭐️❌❌❌ Blondshell is back with her second album. Was she able to avoid the curse of the sophomore slump? To my ears, no. This album is all over the place quality wise. For every great song with a catchy hook, it seems like there’s twice as many with clunky choruses that just don’t land. And the faux 90s lofi production fits with some songs better than others here. But the moments that do work here work really well. Makes me wish it was more consistent. She’s capable of doing great work. Favorite song:...

Willie Nelson, Oh What a Beautiful World ⭐️⭐️⭐️❌❌ Willie Nelson turned 92 years old four days after releasing this. That is ridiculous. At this point, anybody trying to sell people on what all health benefits weed may have just need to carry around a picture of Willie in their pocket. Now, that being said, am I really about to criticize a 92 year old man? Unfortunately, yes. After being blown away last year by his album The Border, I was really looking forward to this album. But this album, while still good, is just not on the same level as...

Julien Baker & TORRES, Send a Prayer My Way ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Country gone WOKE????!!!!! That’s what I imagine all of these culture war chuds are thinking as they browse the country music section on their streaming app of choice with this, Chappell Roan, and Beyoncé showing up there. But the truth is that country music was progressive before Ronald Reagan co-opted it in the 1980s to reach Middle America. But that’s a story for another day. This is the second album from a Boygenius alum in the last month. This time it’s Julien Baker collaborating with fellow indie rocker TORRES. Together...