1492 albums logged· Page 25 of 30
Derek Pope
The production is right up my alley. Gritty but has that glimmer that some darker synth pop holds. I wish he would switch it up just a tad more, as by about halfway through the production doesn't feel much different from any other point. "I Don't Mind" is incredibly catchy and is an example of when all the pieces come together correctly. There are a few cool outros as well that differ from the norm, but I wish some of those elements were implemented more thoroughly throughout their respective songs. The final gripe I have is the vocal melodies. Probably the weakest part of this. Not super catchy. Sounds good, but this album feels like a bunch of singles, and the way these songs are written is begging for more gripping choruses. Overall, it's hard to hate. Well-produced, fun atmosphere, and his vocal tone is unique, making it hard to get bored with his voice.
IDK
Hearing this compared to a few years back, like on "Is He Real?", it's clear that his vision is slowly but surely being fleshed out. The strong transitions are a real pop-out. Not a real surprise digging into the credits, as the producer list on here is filled with acclaim. The album features several catchy songs and a strong production that complements IDK's voice. The real highlights are "LiFE 4 A LiFE" and "DEViL". I love the interlude that is "STIGMA" as well. The second half does drop the ball slightly, with some production that doesn't quite match the rest of the album. The songs specifically are "SCARY MERRi" and "CELL BLOCK FREESTYLE / CD ON".
PVRIS
PVRIS returns with more of the same. Not that that's a bad thing! It seems each release dives further into their creative process to pump out new ideas. The downside to PVRIS that I've had a hard time enjoying is some of their harder songs. While the production is good, her voice just doesn't match the rage of the instrumentals. Occasionally, I think they hit the mark on this with songs like ANIMAL but usually falls just short. The good news here is that they are a pretty diverse band and the other darker but softer style they produce, they have perfected. SENTI-MENTAL and LOVE IS A... are prime examples of their softer but still bleak blend. The closer to this album, the self-titled track EVERGREEN, is in my eyes their magnum opus of this. Every sound change in production is done with purpose and her vocals match the recording like a glove. I hope more of this style comes suit but time will tell.