Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine VS. Frank Ocean - Blonde
Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine
Perhaps it's heresy to be too critical of a well-respected and loved album like Blonde, and in reality I am not. I think the album is both challenging and brilliant. Arlo Parks, however, has a palpable ease to her music that carries the same emotional weight as Ocean’s but that also allows for accessible stylistic experiments. Granted, My Soft Machine doesn’t push boundaries in quite the same way as Blonde, but it's a more inviting and engaging listen overall.
Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman VS. Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II
Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II
Talk about a dead heat. Both of these albums are outstanding examples of contemporary hard rock. In this case, one must weigh swagger over precision. If In Times New Roman is a napalm attack, then Mammoth II is a guided missile. They both get the job done. I can’t help, however, but be swayed by Wolfagang Van Halen’s immense aptitude and commitment to the musical ideals his father passed on to him.
Panchiko - D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L VS. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy
Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy
The Panchiko album is surprisingly good - a throwback to year 2000 electropop in both form and function. Its backstory as an album that was effectively brought back to life from a single CD copy found in a used bin is also of interest. In practice, however, the collection is a bit marred by inclusion of the “authentic” version of the album. The incongruous distortion on the version found in the second half has generated some conspiratorial discussions in some circles, and although I do find it interesting, I also feel like in practice it's a bit redundant and irritating. Ultimately, the clarity, energy, and overall entertaining tone of Anamanaguchi’s 8-bit inspired chiptune style garners just a bit more support from me.
Squid - O Monolith VS. Black Country, New Road - For the First Time
Black County, New Road - For the First Time
Squid is great. They’ve got stellar musicianship and a killer drummer who is also the lead singer (always bonus points for having a singing drummer). Their singular flaw is the way that they navigate dynamics. They certainly have a more restrained, quiet side that many mathy post-punk projects do not. When they tap into more intense realms, however, rather than get stronger, they just get noisier, and I feel like that lessens the impact. Black Country, New Road, on the other hand, deftly handles all dynamic extremes effectively while navigating a wide range of styles and textures.
Viewer’s Choice
Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine VS. Frank Ocean - Blond
Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine
Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman VS. Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II
Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II
Panchiko - D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L VS. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy
Panchiko - D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L
Charlotte Wessels - Tales from Six Feet Under v. 1&2 VS. Black County, New Road - For the First Time
Charlotte Wessels - Tales from Six Feet Under v. 1&2
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