PUP: Morbid Stuff {Review}
Full of shout-a-longs and witty, emotionally potent lyrics, Toronto punk stalwarts PUP delivered one of the best punk records of the decade with Morbid Stuff.
Foals: Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1 {Review}
It’s been nearly a decade since Foals delivered an album this full of danceable rhythms and hooks. Here, the band changes pace in-song a number of times to great effect. The grooves on songs like “On The Luna” and “Syrups” seem to only grow stronger over time. If Part 2 (out in October) can match Part 1’s brilliance, 2019 will assuredly be the year of Foals.
The National: I Am Easy to Find {Review}
Twenty years into their career, The National decided to release their longest and most experimental album yet. The female guest features are all utilized brilliantly and, paired with Matt Berninger’s signature baritone, create some of the most heartbreaking songs in the band’s discography.
Lizzo: Cuz I Love You
Lizzo’s debut album is easily my favorite pop record of the year so far. The production on each track perfectly accentuates Lizzo’s larger-than-life personality, while Lizzo herself shows how multi-faceted of a singer she is.
Remo Drive: Natural, Everyday Degradation {Review}
Remo Drive’s 2017 debut, Greatest Hits, was a hard album to follow-up. But the Minnesota emo outfit did just that and then some. Natural, Everyday Degradation likely won’t get the same viral response as its predecessor (it hasn’t to this point), but it’s an album that certainly deserves it.
The Maine: You Are Ok
Since going independent in 2011, each album released by Arizona emo quintet The Maine has one-upped its precursor. Bookending the album, “Slip the Noose” and “Flowers on the Grave” are two of the band’s best songs to date. You Are Ok improves upon everything the band has done before, while still pushing boundaries.
Bruce Springsteen: Western Stars
The Boss delivers the best storytelling of the year (so far) on Western Stars, a colorful throwback to ’60s-era western pop. Even without the E Street Band, the album has an abundance of character and charm, putting it in the upper echelon of Springsteen releases.
Nick is an avid music fan and writer based out of Chicago. He’s also 6’7”, making him the tallest writer on this site.