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⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) She had a huge smash hit that charted really high called Confetti that led me to check out this album. Really solid, moody pop here. I think she has a really great, distinct voice that is atmospheric. Cool backstory to this album. She was going through a life crisis and went to fellow Canadian Jim Carey for some advice and a lot of songs came from that, including the track Jim Carey that might be the best song on the album. I don’t like to acknowledge French Canadians very easily but this album is really great and I’m constantly going back to it.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) On my first 3 listens I thought this was a perfect album. On my next 3 I still thought it was really good, but not perfect. Still contender for album of the year already. That’s where my opinion has stayed since. I think Ariana is the vocalist of my generation but she hasn’t done anything great. She makes good music, but for her talent she should be making lasting music, and I don’t think she has until now. This album is raw and vulnerable and I don’t think it was necessarily made for primarily commercial success which I think helps remove some of the pressure to just make a catchy song. It’s short, only 13 songs and 35 minutes long. The vice with making something so short means it has to be so tight and cohesive. And I think she did that really well on this. The vocal layering is especially stand out. There are only two songs on here I don’t like, and because of that it’s not a perfect 10. Many standouts but the obvious one is We Can’t Be Friends...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) Victoria recently won the Grammy for best new artist. And though I don’t think she should’ve won, I’m happy for her and she’s very talented. This isn’t her debut album, she’s been making music for quite a while now. I don’t know what the rules are for new artist but don’t care enough to look them up. This is an R&B/Soul album and it’s really groovy. She has a feature from Earth, Wind, and Fire and I feel like that should speak for itself. I admire her for making a full length album like this in a world full of quick singles, I just don’t know if it’ll be a lasting album. I think this is such a well rounded album and has so many good songs. The opening Smoke is fire, On My Mama, Party Girls, and Hollywood are among my favourites.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I literally never listen to the radio anymore and so all of my new music comes from TikTok and I’m a bit ashamed to admit that cause all artists say TikTok is basically cancer for careers but this artist covered Taylor Swift’s cruel summer and really blew up and that’s why and how I checked out their stuff. I would say first and foremost this artist is a drummer, it’s clear that they are very talented and seeing them perform live on videos while singing and drumming is so impressive. Every song on this album has such a great drum track that gets me hyped every time. This album is labeled pop rock, but definitely leans more alternative than rock, and then more pop than alternative. Every year I feel like I find a new artist to be obsessed with, and I guess we’re starting early here. The whole album is very digestible, 12 songs at 40 minutes total. I want to pick a favourite song but honestly don’t know if I can. Baked, Real Life, Worst Person Aliv...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This movie is likely to end up as my favourite of the year. I watched it 3 times in theatres and think about it almost every day. I know that sounds dramatic but it altered my brain chemistry. So it’s no surprise that I love the album a lot. Metro Boomin is the producer on this and I think it’s clear to hear that the production is incredible, clean, and done really well. He’s an all timer. This music creates visceral reactions for me when I listen to it, which is mostly when I run or wanna get hyped. It’s intense and high tempo and feels so bad ass, but also has a lot of tracks that are vulnerable and deep. The opening song, Annihilate, is actually unreal and would be a number one song on any other album. I still think it stands out here but not as much. Am I Dreaming and Hummingbird also really stand out to me, as does Mona Lisa. But my favourite is Self Love, which is Gwen’s theme song. Just really incredible stuff that I’ve been listening to a...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is an album by a Toronto local, and I would say that he’s a happy medium between Drake and The Weeknd - two other Toronto stars! I am mostly aware that this isn’t a really good album, but for some reason it hooked me and I listened to it quite a bit this year. It’s too long, he’s very over dramatic, but it’s catchy and pop-y and it does it for me. I think the best song is The Look featuring Kehlani. A really soulful groove that makes you wanna bust a move.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is Olivia’s second studio album and at only 20 years old she has the whole world watching her with the number 1 album. I feel ancient and out of place as a 27 year old man listening and liking her music, but it’s inevitable eventually. Even if I’m not the target audience, I think it can still be enjoyed by all, if not all of it relatable. There’s a lot of good to this album. Her pop/punk bangers go hard and are a lot of fun. Her ballads are heartfelt and swell with a lot of emotion. That being said, this feels like Side B to her first album SOUR, except weaker. There are a few too many skips on this compared to SOUR. I think it’s unfortunate but impossible to not compare artists work to their previous stuff, and I don’t think anything on this album will match or be as lasting as anything on SOUR. Bad idea right, get him back, and making the bed were my fave tracks.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) R&B Tori is finally here! I read a tweet a long time ago that said something like, if she would stop making campfire songs she’d be one of the biggest pop stars out there and it’s so true. She has one of the nicest voices I’ve ever heard and almost every day she goes viral for her riffs. She’s done a bunch of random stuff till now. Some full length albums, a few EPs, and a gospel album. She has a cover on YouTube of the song So Will I and it’s the most beautiful cover I’ve ever heard. I get emotional every time I listen. This one is produced by Jon Bellion and it’s perfect for her. It has that signature Bellion sound that is incredibly matched with Tori’s voice. This is also an EP, with only 7 songs and 2 features but it rocks. Best track is Shelter but the whole album is worth the listen.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I saw a TikTok by Zane Lowe, who is the host of Apple Music, about this album. Saying it’s the type of album that will stick with you for a lifetime. Man’s knows music so obviously I had to check it out. Im conflicted because I don’t know anything technical about music. My one criteria is if I like it objectively cause that’s the only thing that matters. This is a 9 track album and 5 of them are incredible and the other 4 are just fine. The first two tracks are great, and then the next 4 are ok, and he closes with 3 amazing songs. Out of those 5, my top 2 are Bruises Off the Peach and White Teeth. Just incredible music that makes you feel a certain type of way. One of them may end up as a favourite of the year. This album is labeled as pop, but I would say it’s probably closer to indie/singer-songwriter. This isn’t the type of album you play with friends at a party. It’s vibey, but more in the sense of a long walk or car ride by yourself.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is a 6 song EP about her divorce with other country music star Morgan Evans. I’d argue that it’s her best stuff yet. It comes a few months after her full length album SUBJECT TO CHANGE which I’ve also been listening but I like this one better so this is the one I’m reviewing. This EP is raw and vulnerable and she leaves no stone unturned. Seemingly calling out her ex in most songs in a way that immediately makes you take her side. He released a song about the break up and she took some of the lyrics in one of her songs; it’s all petty but I love it. She is now dating Chase Stokes and I love them together. As I said before, I also listened to her other album that has a few bangers but I think she makes better singles than albums and that’s why I think this EP is perfect - it’s short and concise and amazing. My favourite song is Penthouse.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I haven’t felt this way about a new artist and album in quite some time. I first heard the title track on TikTok and loved it but only downloaded that song until my friends told me to check out the whole album. There is a song here for every emotion and different things you’re feeling. It is hopeful and depressing and fun and loud and dancey and just perfect. I feel like this music perfectly captures the PNW in a great way. I think there is a song or two on here for everyone and he could make a fan out of all of you. I have a different favourite song every week but I think the standouts are Stick Season, Halloween, and The View Between Villages.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) I would argue that SZA and her debut album CTRL are some of the most influential R&B music of the 2010s. It’s hard not to like her stuff, as it’s relatable and fun and with that she has created a cult following. She is also signed to the record label TDE who has Kendrick so you know the production is top notch. This album is almost perfect in my opinion. Most of the songs are incredible. A few of them are great. And just some are ok. This album is 23 tracks long, including a few singles she had released within the past few years. She raps, sings, and seemingly does it all. She has amazing features, one of which is Phoebe Bridgers and I’d argue it’s one of the most ambitious crossovers in modern music but it works! It’s a standout on the album. I have a lot of favourites on this album but the two I consistently go back to are Nobody Gets Me and Good Days. But don’t let that stop you from listening to the whole album!

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I think this album is fine. Tate has an incredible voice, beautiful looks, good social media presence, and catchy songs. I just don’t think she has star power. She’s no Billie or Olivia. I don’t know how else to describe except she just doesn’t have IT. This album was also made for teenage girls going through relationships so not intended audience but it wasn’t bad! Fave tracks are Chaotic, Don’t Come Back and She’s All I Wanna Be

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) It feels wrong to rate anything by Kendrick less than a 10. And my score by no means reflects that art that he creates. Unfortunately for me rap just isn’t a genre I gravitate towards to naturally. However I had to make an exception for arguably the best lyricist to exist. It’s very clear that Kendrick is passionate about his work and what he’s saying. In every song he just seems so earnest. This might be too on the nose but he really does seem like a humble person considering his fame. He talks through a lot of really deep issues within this album. Trauma, family issues, relationship problems, faith, therapy, lgbtq issues, and many more. A power that I think Kendrick has is that he has important things to say in a way that makes you think. I can’t say that about a lot of music. Die Hard, We Cry Together, Auntie Diaries, and The Heart Part 5 are my favourites.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) As a die hard Swifty, even I can admit that this isn’t a perfect album. There are skippable tracks, some of the songs do blend together. However, I really love it and will always give her a perfect score. While I believe she was at the top of her game on her previous 2 albums, Folklore and Evermore, Taylor is a pop star to her core and thrives here. She makes music that is fun and easy to listen to and great to sing along to and relatable. She really has a knack for piercing through your consciousness and getting all her melodies and lyrics stuck in your brain. I love this album a lot and think some of her best songs might be on it. Anti-Hero, The Great War and Dear Reader are some of my faves. But I can’t leave out Maroon, Bigger Than The Whole Sky, Lavender Haze. Ok ya maybe the album is no skips. Can’t wait to see her on tour!

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Mathew) I'm just happy this makes Beans happy. The music is also nice to listen to in my ears. Lost 0.5 stars for not being 1989 (Deluxe Edition).

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I would say Carrie is easily one of my fave country artists. I’ve been keeping up with her pretty well since American idol. I think she has an incredible, powerful voice and I love listening to her belt out her songs. This is the first album in a long time I’ve listened to consistently from hers. While not her strongest, I still really enjoyed it. She sings about love and cheating and being confident in who you are. She always sprinkles a bit of a gospel message within her music which is actually pretty characteristic within country. One small issue I have with her though is that she always has a song on every album about a chronic cheater that needs to be dealt with in the form of violence. She is married to Mike Fisher (former NHL star) and has two kids. She has no need for this narrative! I think she is trying to recreate the magic of Before He Cheats which I don’t care what anyone says it’s an all timer song!! I would still really love to see ...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) Just a solid country album. Tenpenny has such a distinct raspy voice and this album is just so easy to listen to. It’s got 8 tracks singing of love, Jesus and politics. It’s intimate and full of heart. My fave tracks are Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Don’t Make Me Choose, and The Way You Are.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) FLO is an all girl R&B trio. They are incredibly reminiscent of Destiny’s Child and that early 2000s sound but at the same time following in the path of modern acts like Chloe x Halle. The production on these songs sound so fresh and clean. The lyrics are clever and snappy. The beats go hard. These girls are confident and know what they want - and they’re gonna get it. This EP is just short of a 10 because it is only 5 tracks and I don’t think it has the longevity to prove it’s a 10. But I don’t think it has to. This album is their debut onto the music scene and they have created a fan out of me. Very excited to see where this group goes! 

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Will) I typically love about 25% of Metric's songs and think the rest are bad, but this album was a lot more consistent for me. I love the general vibe, and it's brought me back to some of their other best older stuff as well. I skip the first song every time, but otherwise every song is solid at minimum. My highlights are All Comes Crashing and Paths in the Sky.