Oak - The Third Sleep VS Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
Both of these albums are beautifully melancholic and emotionally evocative, and although they may be coming at this description from different angles, I feel that there’s significant enough common ground between the two to warrant an equitable comparison. There’s a unique compositional nuance to Pigments, however, that grants it a distinctive liminality.
The Besnard Lakes - A Coliseum Complex Museum VS Parannoul - Sky Hundred
The Besnard Lakes - A Coliseum Complex Museum
Sky Hundred is great, and I have come to really appreciate Parannoul’s work, but it veers into unnecessarily noisy territory at times. A Coliseum Complex Museum, in comparison, is consistently pristine, and its songs capitalize on the power of this clarity.
George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 VS. Queen - Queen
Queen - Queen
A controversial Spin-Off, for sure. Many, many fans have spoken out in support of Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, and I agree that their advocacy is warranted. It is doubtlessly George Michael’s finest and most direct album, and his artistic vision shines brightly throughout its runtime. If we were talking about later Queen albums like Hot Space or The Works, he might have won our. At this early stage in their career, however, where Queen seems to have an astounding clarity of vision and a vital drive to match it, they are very difficult to unseat, in my opinion
Discipline - Breadcrumbs VS. Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
This one wins the contentious Spin-Off award for this week. Given the divisive nature of Even in Arcadia, I am sure to ruffle some feathers by giving it the win, especially given my progressive rock credentials. After much consideration, however, I flew in the face of my usual preferences. Breadcrumbs is beautifully melodic and conceptually compelling, but it doesn’t have the impact of Discipline’s early work. Paradoxically, my lack of investment in Sleep Token’s earlier work has, I think, allowed me to approach Even in Arcadia unburdened by preconceived notions of their work. I am really fascinated by the way in which they layer contemporary R&B with atmospheric progressive metal and bind it together with their distinctive identity presentation. This fascination grants them the win.
Viewer’s Choice
Oak - The Third Sleep VS Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
The Besnard Lakes - A Coliseum Complex Museum VS Parannoul - Sky Hundred
Parannoul - Sky Hundred
George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 VS. Queen - Queen
Queen - Queen
Discipline - Breadcrumbs VS. Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
Discipline - Breadcrumbs
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