Key "Reviews" Albums (2023 Edition)

Key · 04-15-2023, 03:34 PM

Simply put, I'm going to rank albums that I've heard this year that were also released this year. So...new albums I guess you could say. They'll typically be pretty quick reviews and ratings but this is simply a way to catalog the albums that came out this year that I either liked or disliked. No format, no anything really. Just talking about albums from this year that I either liked or disliked.

Key · 04-15-2023, 03:43 PM

Metallica - 72 Seasons

I typically really like Metallica releases, and although some have been lackluster compared to the rest, I tend to find something I like out of all of them, with few exceptions. I still enjoy Death Magnetic from time to time, however I think Hardwired is far superior in terms of quality. Though that's what I would have said before 72 Seasons came out. I gotta say, I wasn't really expecting much other than the usual Metallica formula that we've come to know and love, and you know what? The album is quite good. Excellent, even. It's kind of taking a mixture of everything that makes Metallica really good and putting it all in one album. Every track is great to excellent.

At first listen, I had put this at a 10/10, but after a few listens I've decidedly given it a 9/10. It's really good but not quite perfect. I definitely recommend it though.

Final Rating: 9/10

Key · 04-15-2023, 04:27 PM

NF - Hope

I've enjoyed NF thoroughly with all of his releases. I have both Perception and The Search on vinyl and absolutely love both. Hope is just yet another example of what makes NF great. I've always really enjoyed his darker style beats mixed with much more personal stories lyrically and it's honestly really great to listen to. At the current moment, I would give this album anywhere between an 8.5 to a 9 out of 10. Much like the Metallica album, NF really brings everything that makes him great and has created quite a stellar hip hop album. If you're a fan of NF, this album is definitely one of his best. I enjoyed the Clouds EP as well but he really puts it all out in Hope. Yet another great release for 2023.

NF - Pandemonium

Final Rating: 8.5/10
(this rating may change with more listens)

Key · 04-21-2023, 12:28 PM

Gorillaz - Cracker Island

The common theme I've seen so far with the releases I've heard from this year is that the artists involved are really bringing everything that makes them great, and throwing out all the bull****. This is the most Gorillaz album I've heard since Demon Days. And that's not to say that the albums in between are bad or mediocre in any way. Hell, any Gorillaz album is good in some way. However, I found myself just saying "yeah this is what I like about this band" many many times throughout listening to this for the first time. And of course, I had to listen to it again and again and it still holds that same feeling. Along with the Metallica release we got this year, Gorillaz are also returning to form and doing what makes them truly great without overdoing it or feeling overdone. This album is a 10/10 in my book for not just being a catchy album but also a truly fantastic Gorillaz album that I think any fan will enjoy and love.

The first track alone is fantastic and each song after it works collectively while also working as their own singular tracks. Making the album a joy to listen to whether it's a few tracks or as a whole.

04-15-2023, 03:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Key "Reviews" Albums (2023 Edition) Simply put, I'm going to rank albums that I've heard this year that were also released this year. So...new albums I guess you could say. They'll typically be pretty quick reviews and ratings but this is simply a way to catalog the albums that came out this year that I either liked or disliked. No format, no anything really. Just talking about albums from this year that I either liked or disliked.

04-15-2023, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Metallica - 72 Seasons Metallica - 72 Seasons I typically really like Metallica releases, and although some have been lackluster compared to the rest, I tend to find something I like out of all of them, with few exceptions. I still enjoy Death Magnetic from time to time, however I think Hardwired is far superior in terms of quality. Though that's what I would have said before 72 Seasons came out. I gotta say, I wasn't really expecting much other than the usual Metallica formula that we've come to know and love, and you know what? The album is quite good. Excellent, even. It's kind of taking a mixture of everything that makes Metallica really good and putting it all in one album. Every track is great to excellent. At first listen, I had put this at a 10/10, but after a few listens I've decidedly given it a 9/10. It's really good but not quite perfect. I definitely recommend it though. Final Rating: 9/10 Last edited by Key; 04-15-2023 at 04:27 PM.

04-15-2023, 04:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	NF - Hope NF - Hope I've enjoyed NF thoroughly with all of his releases. I have both Perception and The Search on vinyl and absolutely love both. Hope is just yet another example of what makes NF great. I've always really enjoyed his darker style beats mixed with much more personal stories lyrically and it's honestly really great to listen to. At the current moment, I would give this album anywhere between an 8.5 to a 9 out of 10. Much like the Metallica album, NF really brings everything that makes him great and has created quite a stellar hip hop album. If you're a fan of NF, this album is definitely one of his best. I enjoyed the Clouds EP as well but he really puts it all out in Hope. Yet another great release for 2023. NF - Pandemonium Final Rating: 8.5/10 (this rating may change with more listens)

04-21-2023, 12:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Gorillaz - Cracker Island Gorillaz - Cracker Island The common theme I've seen so far with the releases I've heard from this year is that the artists involved are really bringing everything that makes them great, and throwing out all the bull****. This is the most Gorillaz album I've heard since Demon Days. And that's not to say that the albums in between are bad or mediocre in any way. Hell, any Gorillaz album is good in some way. However, I found myself just saying "yeah this is what I like about this band" many many times throughout listening to this for the first time. And of course, I had to listen to it again and again and it still holds that same feeling. Along with the Metallica release we got this year, Gorillaz are also returning to form and doing what makes them truly great without overdoing it or feeling overdone. This album is a 10/10 in my book for not just being a catchy album but also a truly fantastic Gorillaz album that I think any fan will enjoy and love. The first track alone is fantastic and each song after it works collectively while also working as their own singular tracks. Making the album a joy to listen to whether it's a few tracks or as a whole.