Album Mode

Charli XCX makes good "Music, Fashion, Film" | REVIEW

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:55:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Charli XCX's eighth studio album "Music, Fashion, Film" her creating rock music and having no features to help guide her through the sound.

TImecodes
2:30 Demar is confused
4:26 Past Reviews
6:00 Card Declined
9:02 2007
12:05 I’m Afraid
18:29 Persona
25:30 Camera
28:20 Dream Collaborations
34:54 The Cover
38:25 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10
The Love List: Rock Music, Card Declined, Camera, Wink Wink

Steve Lacy is horny... 'Oh Yeah?' | REVIEW

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:45:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Steve Lacy's third studio album "Oh Yeah?" his horny lyrics and whether his collaboration selections make sense for his music.

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10
The Love List: doom, nothing, lovesexdrugbomb, nice shoes / in your world

Future's "The Real Me" is out of ideas | REVIEW

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:18:41 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Future's tenth studio album "The Real Me", whether he's run out of ideas or ran too far from his core.

Timecodes
3:15 Past Reviews
7:57 Hip-Hop in 2026
12:30 Best of Future
18:40 No Misery
23:08 Tank Top Pluto
25:05 Weight Up
33:45 Build a Bitch
40:34 The Cover
41:52 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 3.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 2.5 / 10
The Love List: Snow in Skyami, California Girls, Money Over Everything
Future - The Real Me / 2026 / Trap

Kwn "And All Pride Aside" are frisky | REVIEW

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:00:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Kwn's third Extended Play "And All Pride Aside", whether she makes stud music and if she's influenced by Tory Lanez.

The Love List: good girl, risk it all, idea of love, all fours

Timecodes:
4:00 - Demar calls Hopeless Romantic boring
7:10 - The Singles
10:30 - Tory Lanez but freakier
11:35 - Touch Myself
17:45 - Risk It All
21:50 - Til the Room Stinks
30:20 - All Fours
36:43 - The Cover
39:15 - The Score

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10

Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

Kwn - And All Pride Aside / 2026 / R&B

Olivia Rodrigo, "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love" and sometimes boring | REVIEW

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:55:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love", whether she's a rock artist fighting her destiny and if she's the best songwriter of our time.

Timecodes:
4:00 The growth of a Young Star
9:06 Past Reviews
10:20 Stupid Song
14:05 How Good a Singer Is She?
14:40 Purple
18:31 Begged
25:10 Expectations
29:15 u + me = <3
32:05 The Cure
35:30 Miley Cyrus comparison
39:50 Gwen Stefani comparison
42:50 Potentional collaborators
49:30 The Cover
56:20 The Score

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Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: expectations, u + me = Less than 3, my way, maggots for brains,

Vince Staples' "Cry baby" gains consciousness | REVIEW

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:00:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Latto's seventh studio album "Cry Baby", whether Vince Staples is a conscious rapper and how Paris Texas was the blueprint to "Cry Baby"'s sound.

Timecodes:

2:37 - Album Mode Venn Diagram
6:10 - 4th Vinces Staples Review
8:49 - Only in America
13:54 - TV Guide
20:53 - The Big Bad Wolf
22:40 - Rap/Rock Era
30:32 - Is Vince Staples a conscious rapper?
37:13 - The Cover
42:34 - The Score

===================================

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10

Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Okayyy, Hostage, Fallin, Anxious

Vince Staples - Cry Baby / 2026 / hip hop, rap, rock, alternative hip hop, conscious rap

Latto finds her "Big Mama" sound | REVIEW

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:30:19 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Latto's fourth studio album "Big Mama", whether not having a hit song to pair with the album is a problem and did she finally find her core sound?

Timecodes:
04:04 Her influences
05:53 Past Reviews
08:15 The Rap Summer Walker
13:04 Did Crodie Write it?
18:50 The Latto Sound
22:17 Government-mandated Sexyy Red Feature
25:33 Her Improvement as a Singer
28:00 Daddy’s Girl Interlude
32:30 What this means for her career
42:54 The Cover
46:15 The Score
===================================

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 5 / 10
The Love List: Okayyy, Hostage, Fallin, Anxious

fakemink is "Terrified" of being boring | REVIEW

Sun, 31 May 2026 10:00:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Fakemink's debut studio album " Terrified, whether it's good or just interesting, and his lyrics being mythic or lost in the sauce.

Timecodes:
03:14 How He Talks About Himself
04:13 The Voice
6:12 All Eyes On Me
9:57 Distortion is the new Autotune1
2:29 Chinese Dictator Bars
15:54 Rewind
24:25 Essex Girls
35:20 The Score

===================================

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 3 / 10 The Love List: Hard Candy, Creep, Jungle-Affair, Rewind, Forget me Not

Drake's "Iceman" is not so nice, man | REVIEW

Fri, 22 May 2026 13:29:50 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Drake's latest three albums, but primarily 'Iceman", whether current Drake is Lakers Lebron and if this is a true comeback for The Boy.

Timecodes:

2:14 The Biggest Comeback in Music History
7:15 Comparisons to Taylor Swift
12:32 Jordan/LeBron comparisons
24:22 Past Drake Reviews
32:49 What does lyrical growth look like for Drake?
41:00 Ran to Atlanta
43:44 Brat vs Iceman
51:25 Are there too many similes?
54:44 Too Hard for the Radio
57:19 Adriel’s favourites
1:06:44 Government-mandated 21 Savage feature
1:10:15 Make Them Series
1:22:41 Maid of Honour & Habibti
1:33:31 The Nokia test
1:37:39 The Covers
1:47:47 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 4.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10
The Love List: Shabang, Make Them Remember, Little Birdie

Isaiah Rashad "It's Been Awful", ain't awful | REVIEW

Mon, 11 May 2026 09:30:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Isaiah Rashad's third studio album 'It's Been Awful", whether 'a vibe' is an accurate description of his music and how his lyricism reveals his battle with addiction.

Timecodes
2:56 Introduction to Isaiah Rashad
4:40 The Timeline
10:00 Isaiah Rashad vs Ab-Soul
13:52 RIP Young
17:15 Domnic Fike feature
20:30 Boy in Red
29:45 Fan of the flows
32:53 M.o.M.
38:05 Ain’t Giving Up
45:40 The Cover
53:18 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10
The Love List: M.O.M., SAME SH!T, 719 FREESTYLE, SUPERPWRS
Isaiah Rashad - It's Been Awful / 2026 / hip hop, rap

Kehlani's "Kehlani" is new, old school pop R&B | REVIEW

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:15:26 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Kehlani's fifth studio album 'Kehlani", whether the songs are pale imitations and the difference between Démar and Adriel's R&B taste.

The Love List: Folded, Back and Forth, No Such Thing, Pocket

Timecodes

2:00 - Expectations vs. Anticipation
6:40 - Folded
11:15 - The Features
18:00 - Shoulda Never
19:45 - The center of Pop/R&B
31:00 - Pocket is Demar’s favourite song
38:20 - What does this mean for Kehlani’s career?
42:45 - The Cover
46:00 - The Score

===================================

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5 / 10

Kehlani - Kehlani / 2026 / R&B, pop R&B

Angine de Poitrine's "Vol. II" is good... right? | REVIEW

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:25:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Angine de Poitrine's second studio album 'Vol. II' and whether skipping the intro to songs that are great afterwards makes for a good album

Timecodes
2:35 The Viral Video
7:15 Is it Intentional?
11:34 Angor
14:54 Mixed reactions online
20:00 Similar to Rosalia
23:10 The Cover
29:30 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 4 / 10 Adriel's rating: 3 / 10
The Love List: Fabienk, Yor Zarad, Sarniezz

Arlo Park's new sound brings 'Ambiguous Desire' | REVIEW

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:30:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Arlo Park's third studio album 'Ambiguous Desire', how drastically her sound has changed since the beginning of her career and the regression of her stellar songwriting.

Timecodes
2:49 First inductee into the Album Mode Hall of Fame
4:11 Past Reviews
8:35 No more guitars
12:12 Heaven
20:55 Jetta
24:45 Luck of Life
27:37 What If I Say It?
30:05 South Seconds
31:29 What this means for Arlo Parks’ career
34:33 The Cover
38:16 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 9 / 10
The Love List: Jetta, Senses, 2SIDED, nightswimming
Arlo Parks - Ambiguous Desire/ 2026 / indie, UK garage

Yeat's 'ADL' is nearly DOA | REVIEW

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:01:56 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Yeat's sixth studio album 'ADK' how his venture to the centre has hurt his sound and why normal doesn't work for Yeat.

Timecodes
05:59 Past Yeat Reviews
9:00 Let King Kylie Talk
12:45 2010s trap era
18:52 The rapping is lacking
22:48 Hip-Hop politics
28:05 Yeat trying new things
34:34 Swizz Beatz is back
39:25 What I want
45:39 What does ADL mean for Yeat’s career?
51:51 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 4 / 10 Adriel's rating: 4.5 / 10
The Love List: General Purpose, What I Want, Back Home

underscores' 'U' is hyperpop's best written album | REVIEW

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss underscores' third studio album 'U' how shocking well written it is and whether her songs need transitions between them or just within.

Timecodes
3:34 What genre is this?
5:35 Production
9:00 The power of Dubstep
14:43 The Peace
17:50 Daft Punk mixed with Justin Timberlake?
22:50 More on Hyperpop
28:45 Bodyfeeling
35:08 The cohesion
39:03 Who should she collaborate with?
42:36 The Cover
46:06 The Score

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Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10
The Love List: Hollywood Forever, The Peace, Innuendo, Do IT
underscores - U / 2026 / Hyperpop

Jack Harlow's 'Monica' exceeds his body's limit | REVIEW

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 18:10:52 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Jack Harlow's fourth studio album, 'Monica', how he's doing what black hip hop fans say they want white artists to do, and how his artistry has exceeded his body.

Timecodes
1:47 Past Jack Harlow Reviews
8:04 The internet jokes
12:16 Four Rules for Monica
12:35 Production
16:57 New to Neosoul
20:20 Using his tools
26:26 Strong songwriting
30:10 All My Friends
32:02 Good for his career
40:24 The Cover
43:44 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 6 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10
The Love List: Trading Places, Prague, Move Along, Say Hello
Jack Harlow - Monica / 2026 / R&B, Neo Soul

Harry Styles 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally' is British pop centrism | REVIEW

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:19:36 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Harry Styles' fourth studio album 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally' who he is as an artist 10 years after One Direction and whether he's just a watered down version of other British artists' aesthetics.

The Love List: Aperture, Are You Listening Yet? Carla's Song

Timecodes
2:45 Past Reviews
5:42 Aperture is the Intro
10:10 Coming Up Roses is a Billie Eilish song
12:05 Demar calls Harry Styles risk-averse
20:10 Pop is not a pop song
28:30 Lyrics
38:45 What does it mean for his career?
42:43 The Cover
44:47 The Score

===================================

Listen to our Audio Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40aOnbH
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===================================

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

Bruno Mars and "The Romantic" fall off | REVIEW

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:00:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Bruno Mars' fourth studio album 'The Romantic' how it is edgeless and how Bruno Mars' songwriting has suddenly fallen off a cliff.

The Love List: Why You Wanna Fight?

Timecodes:

4:00 - First time hearing Bruno Mars

9:38 - Favourite song from his catalogue

14:10 - I Just Might

21:53 - Cha Cha Cha

24:55 - The Debt

33:25 - Adriel compares Bruno Mars to Don Toliver

39:39 - Biggest Fall

44:50 - Album Cover

47:00 - The Score

===================================

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 3 / 10
Adriel's rating: 2 / 10

Bruno Mars - The Romantic/ 2026 / R&B, Soul

Baby Keem runs out of luck at the "Ca$ino" | REVIEW

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:00:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Baby Keem's sophmore album 'Ca$ino' how he's changed in the 5 years since his last project and how close his lyrics cut to the bone.

The Love List: I am not a Lyricist, Good Flirts, Circus Circus Free$tyle

Timecodes:

4:55 The Melodic Blue
6:30 The Next Generation of Rap
14:40 Production
17:45 Momo Boyd
21:05 I am not a Lyricist
26:19 Dramatic Girl
29:35 Sex Appeal
35:25 Lyrics
42:44 What does this mean for his career?
44:15 The Cover
49:16 The Score

===================================

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5 / 10

Baby Keem - Ca$ino / 2026 / Hip Hop, R&B, alternative R&B

Brent Faiyaz has lost his 'Icon' aesthetic | REVIEW

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:00:02 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Brent Faiyaz's latest album 'Icon' his misaligned aesthetic and him losing the grip on his songwriting.

Timecodes:
3:26 Top 10 Albums of the Year
:00 Past Brent Faiyaz Reviews
12:30 Beauty Behind the Madness
14:58 Two pop songs
21:25 The World is Yours
28:25 Larger Than Life
31:55 Positions era Ariana Grande
39:40 Lyrics
43:43 Concept Album
49:15 What does icon mean for his career
55:55 What does Brent do next?
59:52 The Cover
1:04:42 The Score

===================================

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6 / 10
The Love List: four season., wrong faces., other side.

J.Cole's "The Fall-Off" is a love letter in disguise | REVIEW

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:06:27 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss J.Cole's final(?) album, The Fall-Off, whether he accomplished what he wanted in his career and if "The Fall-Off is Inevitable" is one of the best songs in hip hop history.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: The Fall-Off is Inevitable, The Villest, Bunce Road Blues, Poor Thang

Timecodoes
3:10 How Drake vs Kendrick affected The Fall Off
10:49 The Fall Off lore
16:45 The Fall Off is inevitable
23:02 Disc 1 vs Disc 2
27:30 Future’s best features
33:10 Reasonable Doubt comparisons
37:15 Dreary Keys on the back half of Disc 2
39:37 I Love Her Again
48:14 Lyrics
54:26 Poor Thang
1:02:45 Double Disc Supremacy
1:04:05 The Cover
1:09:10 The Scores

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===================================

J. Cole - The Fall-Off / 2026 / Hip Hop, Rap

Don Toliver is high "OCTANE"

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Don Toliver's latest album "OCTANE", whether his lyrics matter and how his melodies and production are second to none.

Timecodes:
4:18 4th time reviewing Don Toliver
7:50 Best Feature
10:30 ATM
15:55 Falestto for Falsetto
25:25 Potential features
38:15 Where does he rank amongst his peers?
45:21 Covers
47:30 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 9 / 10
The Love List: Call Back, ATM, E85, Body, Rendezvous , K9

Don Toliver - Octane / 2026 / Hip Hop, R&B

Ari Lennox's "Vacancy" is renewed

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:00:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Ari Lennox's latest album "Vacancy", her toned down lyrics and what a label switch can do for her moving forward.

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: Under The Moon, Twin Flame, Dreaming, High Key Ari Lennox - Vacancy / 2026 / R&B

Drop January and J. Cole's "Fall-Off" begins

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:30:39 +0000

It's apparently "Drop January" as a plethora of artists have annouce they have new projects coming up Déma rand Adriel talk about what that means for music this year. Also J. Cole released his first single for his upcoming album, "The Fall Off", Adriel tries to dodge the question but Démar asks how he feels about the rappers alleged end coming up.

===================================

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A$AP Rocky's "Don't Be Dumb" is aged wine | REVIEW

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 21:15:42 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss A$AP Rocky's comeback album "Don't Be Dumb", whether he took too long to return and if his music is experimental anymore.

Timecodes:
2:00 The Kanye Zone
6:18 1st A$AP Rocky Review
11:55 Is LONG.LIVE.A$AP a classic album?
15:45 TESTING
24:04 Favourite Feature
31:20 Moshpit energy
39:46 A$AP Rocky vs The Discourse
53:15 The mature version
59: 00 Female Rappers with A$AP Rocky
1:08:25 Cozy Tapes 3
1:09:52 The Cover
1:13:27 The Score

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: STAY HERE 4 LIFE, WHISKEY, ROBBERY, STOLE YA FLOW
A$AP Rocky - Don't Be Dumb / 2026 / Alternative Hip Hop, Rap

Top 10 Albums of 2025

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:04:19 +0000

Finally the episode you've all been waiting for, Album Mode's top 10 albums of 2025! Adriel and Démar list their best albums of the year. After years of reviewing music together the duo divergence has become more obvious and this year's year-end list is evidence.

P.S. Demar's Spotify listening age is 25, Adriel's is 45.

TIMECODES:

3:30 - A lot of albums that we did not review
4:10 - Don’t Tap The Glass
7:30 - West End Girl
9:48 - Miley Cyrus supremacy
15:55 - Yacht Rap
16:49 - An Ambient Demo but good
21:16 - What genre is this?
24:04 - Demar wants the Naomi Campbell album
29:06 - Chainz revival
38:00 - One of the best albums of the decade
43:10 - Comeback Album of the Year
48:12 - Feels like a racing game
52:25 - The Best of Wale
56:00 - One of the Greatest Rappers of all Time
01:01:39 - The Longest No Skips Album
01:06:05 - Two or Three listens a day for Demar’s Number One
1:11:01 - Honourable Mentions

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Démar’s Top 10:

EsDeeKid - Rebel
The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow
Little Simz - Lotus
PinkPantheress - Fancy That
Bad Bunny - Debi Tirar Mas Fotos
Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out
Amaarae - Black Star
OkLou - Choke Enough
Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful
Tyler, The Creator - Don't Tap the Glass

Adriel's Top 10:

The Weeknd - Hurry Up TOmorrow
Little Simz - Lotus
Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out
Wale - Etherything is a lot
Chance the Rapper - Star Line
Destin Conrad - LOVE ON DIGITAL
Larry June + Alchemist + 2 Chainz - Life is Beautiful
Venna - MALIK
Freddie Gibbs - ALFREDO 2
Lily Allen - West End Girl

Esdeekid and everyone else you should know from 2025 + Spotify Wrapped

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:00:09 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss who popped off in 2025 that we're looking forward to their work in 2026.

Timecodes
1:10 The Criteria
2:20 Esdeekid
6:50 Timothee Chalamet
11:38 Uzi mixed with Future
12:48 Odeal
18:25 Young Miko
20:26 Similar to early Don Toliver
24:36 Kwn
31:23 The Black performative male
32:10 Dijon
40:35 Rebecca Black
45:06 Not New/But Changing
51:48 Spotify Wrapped
54:17 The Dominance of Drake
56:37 Spotify Listening Age
1:00:03 Old year-end playlists

===================================

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Summer Walker's "Finally Over It" is a feature fest| REVIEW

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:00:07 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Summer Walker third studio album "Finally Over It", whether Aaliyah is the GOAT and the strength of the album's feautres.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Robbed You, No, Go Girl, Heart Of A Woman, Baller

Timecodes:

4:04 - Background on Summer Walker
8:55 - The Singles
9:49 - The influence of Aaliyah
11:50 - What a Summer Walker song sounds like
14:10 - Love for Doja Cat
21:51 - Give Me A Reason
30:13 - So Many Good Features
34:48 - 1-800-Heartbreak
38:58 - Savage the 21st
47:25 - Go Girl
50:20 - The Cover
59:04 - The Score

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===================================

Summer Walker - Finally Over It / 2025 / R&B

Rosalia's 'Lux' is technically brilliant, but is that enough? | REVIEW

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 21:31:04 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Rosalía's fourth studio album "LUX", its technical excellence and whether an album that's so orchestral can be considered pop.

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6 / 10
The Love List: Reliquia, Divinize, Berghain, Memória

Dave's "The Boy Who Played the Harp" sometimes forgets the song | REVIEW

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:51:56 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Dave's third studio album "The Boy Who Played the Harp", its abscence of drums and Dave's ability to make songs instead of poetry with a soundtrack.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: The Boy Who Played the Hard, No Weapons, Selfish

Timecodes:

3:00 - Adriel doesn’t like EPs
5:58 - The tone of the album
6:43 - Favourite feature
12:50 - Where are the drums?
16:10 - Demar calls ‘175 Months’ boring
21:04 - Dave vs. Kendrick
23:25 - The Outro
27:10 - Dave’s relatability
30:35 - Introspection is his best skill
34:03 - Fairchild
41:06 - The Cover
43:45 - The Score

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===================================

Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp/ 2025 / rap, hip hop, uk rap

Tame Impala's "Deadbeat" Follows the Crowd | REVIEW

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:51:26 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Tame Imala's fifth album "Deadbeat", how Tame Impala became a follower with is production and the decline of a once great artist.

Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: Dracula, Loser, Afterthought, My Old Ways

Timecodes:

2:44 - Have they ever been mainstream?
3:58 - First time hearing Tame Impala
8:50 - Adriel’s favourite song
11:05 - Demar’s Dad cosigns
14:17 - The Singles
18:32 - Kevin Parker made a Drake song?
20:50 - Afro House attempt
24:30 - Best song on the project
31:30 - Dracula
36:20 - Lyrics
40:50 - Loser
47:40 - The Cover
48:50 - The Score

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===================================

Tame Impala - Deadbeat / 2025 / electronic, dance, afro house

Khalid is revealed "after the sun goes down" | REVIEW

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 12:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Khalid's fourth studio album "after the sun goes down", his lack of vocal colour and whether his simplistic pop lyrics are a negative.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4 / 10

The Love List: medicine, nah, nobody (make me feel), impulsive

Timecodes:

2:20 - Technically still very popular
4:18 - Past Khalid Reviews
8:44 - Demar compares ‘True’ to Kidz Bop
9:50 - R&B Khalid
13:20 - ‘Rendezvous’
16:48 - Reminds me of…
22:44 - Lyrics
28:45 - What this means for his career
34:30 - The Cover
38:00 - The Score

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===================================

Khalid - after the sun goes down / 2025 / pop, R&B

Embracing D'Angelo's Influence

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:29:48 +0000

The Father of Neo Soul has passed, Adriel and Demar discuss how important he is, why so many different artists are mourning him and how boundless his influence has become in modern music.

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===================================

The Disappointing Diddy Verdict + Nicki vs. Cardi B is unnecessary

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:51:03 +0000

Diddy has escaped the RICO charges but that doesn't mean he's gone unscathed. Also, the duo breakdown the Nicki and Cardi B beef, hip hop is ahead of the "head bitch" archetype but does Nicki know that? Keep it locked here on Album Mode.

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===================================

Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl" is a Farce | REVIEW

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:00:10 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Taylor Swift's latest album "The Life of a Showgirl", how Taylor's songwriting has collapsed and why she's chasing the people that she's influenced.

Démar’s rating: 2.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4 / 10

The Love List: The Fate of Ophelia, Ruin the Friendship

Timecodes:

1:39 - Is the fandom bigger than the music?
7:22 - Past Taylor Swift reviews
13:30 - Fate of Ophelia
16:56 - Actually Romantic
28:56 - Pop music in 2025
30:18 - Honey feels desperate
34:44 - Too much ‘stomp/clap’
39:48 - Ruin the Friendship
45:35 - Lyrics
50:45 - The Most Offensive Track
1:07:17 - Wishlist
1:12:30 - Is Adriel a Swiftie now?
1:18:15 - Worst album since Reputation
1:21:41 - The Cover
1:27:58 - The Score

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===================================

Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl / 2025 / pop, pop punk

Doja Cat's "Vie" for Pop Appeal is a Success | REVIEW

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:00:09 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Doja Cat's latest album "Vie", how her singing might have eclipsed her rapping and Janet Jackson's indelible influence on her music.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Cards, Jealous Type, Take Me Dancing, Acts of Service, Gorgeous, All Mine

Timecodes:

3:03 - Last Doja Car Review
7:30 - Best at Pop Rap
8:36 - Démar compares Doja Cat to Kyrie Irving
14:03 - Unpacking Jack Antonoff
22:12 - Adriel calls the album ‘Timeless’
26:34 - Lyrics
28:27 - ‘Take Me Dancing’
31:54 - Earl Sweatshirt featuring Doja Cat
35:30 - Sidequest album
38:49 - The Cover
40:42 - The Score

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===================================

Doja Cat - Vie / 2025 / hip hop, rap, pop rap, pop, R&B

Cardi B's Viscious Bars Make it Clear "AM I THE DRAMA?" | REVIEW

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Cardi B's latest studio album "AM I THE DRAMA?", how her bars dance on the line of funny and vicious and why she seems to not care about album cohesion.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Hello, Magnet, Pick It Up, Better Than You, Principal, Imaginary Playerz

Timecodes:

2:37 - Démar's Favourite Cardi B verse of all time
8:16 - Bodak Yellow was cool
12:55 - Invasion of Privacy
15:15 - Ranking all-time female MCs
23:39 - Imaginary Playerz
27:46 - What’s Going On with Lizzo and Cardi B
37:10 - Best feature on the album
45:24 - Lyrics
1:00:37 - Cardi B is still Cardi B
1:02:29 - The Cover
1:06:20 - The Score

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===================================

Cardi B - AM I THE DRAMA? / 2025 / hip hop, rap, R&B, pop

Earl Sweatshirt "Live Laugh Love"s Complexity | REVIEW

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:58:30 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Earl Sweatshirt's latest studio album "Live Laugh Love", Earl's unorthodox song structures and whether his complexity is worth it for a regular music listener.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: FORGE, WELDONE!, CRISCO, TOURMALINE, exhaust

Timecodes:

01:35 - Demar is down on Earl
4:59 - FREE EARL
8:52 - An album with no singles
11:35 - Adriel's favourite Earl song
15:28 - Production on Gamma
21:16 - Is Static a Drill song?
33:31 - Demar on Earl abandoning the songs
39:00 - Lyrics on Crisco are genius level
45:34 - Onelongrunonsentence
50:20 - What does this mean for his career?
57:19 - No Skips?
58:16 - The Cover
59:06 - The Score

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===================================

Earl Sweatshirt - Live Laugh Love / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop

Chance the Rapper's 'STAR LINE' is a Lifeline | REVIEW

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss Chance the Rapper's second studio album "STAR LINE", whether it's the comeback album of the year and how Chance the Rapper is underrated as a songwriter.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Gun In Yo Purse, Back To The Go, The Negro Problem, Ride, No More Old Men

Timecodes:
4:37 The Big Day
8:25 The Success of Coloring Book
16:35 Favorite Chance song?
23:40 How bad was Hot Shower?
28:29 A song only Chance could make
32:51 Demar doesn't think Chance is tough
35:15 Chance the Singer
43:00 Chance's Kendrick Lamar impression
48:22 Lyrics
53:20 The Negro Problem
1:02:26 Comeback Album of the Year
1:07:04 The Score

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Chance the Rapper - STAR LINE / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop

JID Thinks "God Does Like Ugly" And We Do Too | REVIEW

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 22:00:07 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss JID's fourth studio album "God Does Like Ugly", how his music is now rappable and being able to adapt to sounds he's never done before.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Glory, WRK, Gz, SK8, No Boo

Timecodes:
5:30 - His Past Albums
6:08 - Surround Sound
7:28 - JID & NewJeans
9:25 - Highest Charting Single
15:18 - Production is the Star of This Album
18:13 - JID does R&B well
21:22 - Démar compares Westside Gunn to Playboi Carti
24:00 - Did they choose the Right Singles?
31:14 - A Great Collaborator
36:28 - Adriel claims JID is underrated as a lyricist
46:46 - Demar is Unmoved
52:15 - What Does This Mean for His Career?
57:35 - The Score

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JID - God Does Like Ugly / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop

"DON'T TAP THE GLASS" Around Tyler, the Creator's Aura | REVIEW

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:00:07 +0000

Démar and Adriel react to Tyler the Creator's latest album "DON'T TAP THE GLASS", discuss whether he's a mainstream artist and if this is his first flop.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5 / 10

The Love List: Sucka Free, Ring Ring Ring, I'll Take Care of You, Don't You Worry Baby

Timecodes:

3:54 - Tyler does big 1st week numbers
9:19 - Not a concept album
13:20 - Past Tyler the Creator reviews
15:49 - Favourite Tyler the Creator era
17:58 - ‘Ring, Ring, Ring’ should be a single
23:43 - A lot of 80’s references sonically
27:37 - Mommanem
35:44 - Demar is in disbelief
36:46 - Will Tyler find love?
42:40 - Is Post-cancellation?
49:30 - Is this Tyler, the Creator's first flop era?
51:45 - Second time releasing on a Monday
54:27 - His spot in Hip-Hop History
56:30 - The Cover
1:03:03 - The Score

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Tyler, the Creator - DON'T TAP THE GLASS / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop, Dance

Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out" and Won | REVIEW

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:00:09 +0000

Démar and Adriel react to Clipse's latest album, 'Let God Sort Em Out', geriatric hip hop and the idea of artists making hip hop well into their 50s

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: E.B.I.T.D.A., Ace Trumpets, Let God Sort Em Out/Chandeliers,

Timecodes:

1:25 - Every corner of the hip-hop world that’s not part of the mainstream was waiting
3:40 - Is this album really happening?
4:59 - ‘It’s Almost Dry ‘ score
6:40 - Playboi Carti comparison
7:26 - The rollout is getting so much love
8:35 - The original Drake hater/comments about Travis Scott
13:44 - The production
22:08 - Always has duality in their music / more human parts on the project
25:57 - 50-year-olds in hip hop
28:30 - Hip-hop is the only genre that can’t age gracefully
28:55 - Hip-hop never got pulled away / never a normalization of how people aged in the genre
35:21 - The blog era of hip-hop is approaching their 40s
37:00 - Favourite song
46:15 - Almost for the reaction on the timeline
53:31 - The Score

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Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out / 2025 / hip hop, rap

Justin Bieber's "SWAG" is Back | REVIEW

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 18:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel react to Justin Bieber's latest album, 'SWAG', Bieber's closeness to the black community and whether he still is that guy we thought he was in the 2010s .

Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: ALL I CAN TAKE, DAISIES, DADZ LOVE, DEVOTION

Timecodes:

5:30 - This album is showing he’s spending time with the black community
6:29 - Past Jb review
8:29 - Interested in the rollout
8:45 - No single/single worthy
9:00 - Janet Jackson comparison
14:41 - Dijon and Mkgee
18:35 - Justin is a versatile vocalist
19:37 - Always thought Gunna was an underrated/ Bieber worst part of the song
21:05 - Sweet spot
23:55 - Technically, the bars may fit but its not working
24:30 - Not many songs like this / unique record
25:23 - Meg The Stallion comparison
27:23 - Druski
29:31 - Druski, the best comedian?
31:01 - Cosplay Bieber too much on the nose
31:56 - Iceland billboard
40:50 - The cover
44:35 - He’s not in his bad boy era he’s becoming a dad
47:47 - The score

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Justin Bieber - Swag / 2025 / pop, new jack swing, synth pop

Haim's Songwriting Barely Saves 'I Quit''s Bland Production | REVIEW

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel break down Haim's latest album 'I Quit', their closeness to black music and the idea of going 'indie rock mainstream'.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: Gone, Relationships, Spinning, Million Years

Timecodes:

1:41- Where does one go after peaking above indie pop mainstream
2:26 - In some circles, people know them
4:44 - MJ comparison
8:10 - First memory
12:28 - This album is kind of like to good and bad of this genre of music
13:24 - Why do you need to reduce your sound to stomp clap
17:13 - Love you right is better than what it is
23:15 - Arlo Parks song
27:58 - A ton of songs that could be singles
30:00 - Almost too pop
31:34 - Overall good songwriters
39:43 - Putting an artist in a category
40:41 - What does this mean for their career
44:56 - The Cover
47:05 - The Score

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Haim - I Quit / 2025 / indie, rock, pop, soft rock

'Honestly Nevermind' Has Aged Like Fine Wine 3 Years Later | RETROSPECTIVE

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 21:30:08 +0000

Honestly, Nevermind was met with confusion when it first came out but its fandom has been growing over the past 3 years since it's release. Démar and Adriel do a little bit of a retrospective on the album and look into how it Honestly, Nevermind continues to age like fine wine.

Timecodes:

0:55 Original review – Demar said in the future people are going to fuck with this
2:25 Is a very much do you know ball convo
2:50 Setting the scene with the drake albums (CLB etc…)
9:18 One of Drake’s best aging albums
11:55 The one flaw with Honestly, Nevermind
14:35 Who else could do this?

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Drake - Honestly, Nevermind / 2025 / pop, club, house, rap

Little Simz Blossoms With 'Lotus' | REVIEW

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 21:00:08 +0000

Démar and Adriel break down Little Simz's sixth studio album 'Lotus', how the production sounds nothing like a hip hop album and whether this is Simz's best written album.

Démar’s rating: 9 / 10
Adriel's rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Thief, Hollow, Free, Blood, Lotus, Lonely

Timecodes:

3:08 - The view over her career because she is from the UK
4:55 - Black Thought comparison as a rapper
6:09 -
7:39 - That’s their Dominic Fike
10:38 - Thief sets the tone for the album
11:35 - Non-Traditional Hip-Hop beats in this era on this album
12:09 - Did they get it right with the singles?
12:51 - Pharrell singing on the song – that should be the single
13:24 - Thief is more indicative of the album
14:13 - SAULT explained
15:58 - Hollow – haven’t heard some one making subs since Drake on Scorpion
19:41 - Songs that made me think of the creation of this project (rap rock mixes)
23:08 - Young’ is the actual song good
25:24 - I’m a little teapot with her whole chest
29:58 - You are learning about who she is as a person through her music
34:04 - What this means for her career
34:18 - Not an album that anyone else has made
40:59 - No Skips
42:04 - The Cover
44:00 - The Scores

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Little Simz - Lotus / 2025 / hip hop, rap, uk hip hop, uk rap

Miley Cyrus' Raspy Voice is 'Something Beautiful' | REVIEW

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:00:07 +0000

Démar and Adriel break down Miley Cyrus' ninth (!!) studio album 'Something Beautiful', how her voice allows her to make music beyond her years and how underrated she is as a songwriter.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Prelude, End of the World, More to Lose, Easy Lover, Reborn

Timecodes:

3:23 - Hannah Montana – moved past that
8:44 - Did they get it right with the singles?
9:14 - End of the world
10:03 - Under-rated songwriter
10:49 - Reborn – 80’s revivalist track
13:19 - Sounds like and early 2000’s movie
15:04 - American Idol music
19:22 - Sex and the City reference
19:58 - Pretend your god/90’s pop
22:38 - Her voice sounds like a 50-year-old chain smoker
29:13 - This is a better vocal performance when we had in the past
30:05 - Olivia comparison
34:00 - Stove God Cooks
37:40 - The world's burning but lets go to Greece
39:12 - Naomi Campbell
42:17 - Aesthetic overall
42:29 - Interlude 1 – Demar fav song
43:50 - Who released the best movie album
50:09 - The cover – unrated
52:00 - The Score

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Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful / 2025 / pop, country, pop country, synth pop

Common's 'Be' is an Instant Classic That Still Holds Up 20 Years Later | REVIEW

Sat, 31 May 2025 18:00:09 +0000

Démar and Adriel break down Common's classic album 'Be', how much hip hop production has changed in the past 20 years and how intricate "real rap" was in 2005.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: Be (Intro), The Corner, GO!, The Food, They Say

Timecodes:

3:16 - Listening as an adult has a different tone
4:25 - Song bigger than the album
5:48 - Common’s longevity
6:36 - The Soulquarians are a real supergroup
8:49 - My Way Home
10:45 - His relationship with Erykah Badu (BE)
11:55 - 2005 Trivia
18:50 - Good album to listen to on public transit
22:57 - The last part of GO - scratching on the single
24:42 - How much hip-hop has progressed from this sound
26:19 - This sound is a relic now
28:30 - Same person who listens to Benny the Butcher also listens to Playboi Carti
29:30 - The type of sampling Kanye mastered
32:47 - Might be the last song on a DJ Khaled
34:26 - So many of these songs and lyrics have topics
36:34 - doesn’t seem like a topic on a Common song
37:35 - The complexity of the rapping was higher at this point
42:36 - The way he put songs together is underrated
43:25 - his ability to observe things and rap about them
53:30 - LL Cool J comparison
54:15 - The album colour
56:00 - No Skips
58:06 - The Score

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Common - Be / 2005 / hip hop, rap, conscious rap, back pack rap

'13 Months of Sunshine' Cements Aminé's Summer Status | REVIEW

Sun, 25 May 2025 16:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Aminé's third studio album '13 Months of Sunshine', Aminé cementing himself as a summer artist and how mortal enemies Drake and Pusha T are his main influences.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: 13MOS, Feels So Good, New Flower!, Cool About It, Temptations

Timcodes:

2:42 - Previous Aminé album rating – surprised how high
5:00 - Feels like an extension of Kaytraminé
8:13 - Drake influence
10:04 - Production is the star
10:39 - Aminé is a fun Pusha T on 13 MOS
18:25 - Free Nationals / The Internet comparison
20:08 - What other rapper is going to hear this beat and do anything with it
21:33 - The skits add texture to this album
22:59 - Clear pride for him and his family – keeping people alive with the photos in my house 28:45 Using multiple languages to rap - compressing multiple references
35:30 - New Flower is a revamped Mutt
39:35 - The Cover
42:00 - May be going into the Album Mode Hall of Fame

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Aminé - 13 Months of Sunshine / 2025 / tropical house, hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop

Kali Uchis' 'Sincerely' is a Reversion to Glory Days | REVIEW

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Kali Uchis' latest album 'Sincerely,' how she's tracing her musical lineage throughout the album and whether her reversion is worth it.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: Illegal, Tonight, Noises, Stateside,

Timecodes:

1:34 - Demar’s favourite women's weekend
5:40 - No Features
6:39 - Song structure
10:40 - thinks it has regressed a little
14:00 - Sunshine and Rain/pocket of drums
16:17 - Pre R&B
20:40 - For you
22:19 - It sounds like silk lingerie
24:50 - Her voice is an instrument
28:00 - Lana Del Rey comparison
36:45 - How do you feel about no features?
39:04 - Small breath for some extra air – could have enjoyed another artist
43:15 - Her cover game is weird
45:25 - The Scores

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Kali Uchis - Sincerely, / 2025 / R&B, Soul

PinkPantheress Becomes the John Wick of Music with 'Fancy That' | REVIEW

Sun, 18 May 2025 17:30:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss PinkPantheress' latest mixtape 'Fancy That', PinkPantheress the producer beginning to outshine PinkPantheress the artist and how PinkPantheress has become the John Wick of music.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: Illegal, Tonight, Noises, Stateside,

Timecodes:

2:42 - Demar is a superfan
4:56: - Too short because it’s good
5:30 - John Wick of music
7:28 - Doesn’t feel like a full project / HMV Days
9:50 - Forza racing, when listening to this
11:08 - Sounds like a toddler that needs to get outside
13:00 - Did she get it right with the singles?
16:34 - Feels like a normal person song
18:14 - ‘Illegal’ is what people think she sounds like
18:34 - Basement Jaxx sample
19:24 - Producing her own music
22:24 - Song about weed
26:22 - Previously, her music did not talk about sex
28:10 - She’s from the TikTok era, where the hype matches the quality
29:41 - The music is bigger than she is
31:21 - The Cover
33:05 - The Scores

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PinkPantheress - Fancy That / 2025 / house, dance, drum n' bass

Yung Lean leans Into Apathy on 'Jonatan' | REVIEW

Tue, 13 May 2025 16:59:42 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Yung Lean's latest album Jonathan, what he meant to cloud rap, his transition to rock and how his lethargic singing tilts into apathy.

Démar’s rating: 3.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4.5 / 10

The Love List: Might Not B, Horses, My Life

Timecodes:

3:30 - How do you feel about reviewing YL
6:25 - The modern swaggy trap white rapper
7:16 - His influences
8:40 - Two stand-out lines - shut the world off
14:45 - Album drags on you
16:16 - I don’t think he can really sing
16:24 - Sing rapping is a saviour for rappers who can’t sing
18:19 - Feels like an audition for Brock Hampton
19:30 - Has harmonies, but his voice is the worst part of it
21:03 - Singing at a pace of Dominic Fike
21:33 - The actual emotion of the singing is not being conveyed properly
32:33 - Kanye couldn’t figure out the drums for Find Your Love
36:18 - Chief Keef comparison
38:06 - Feels like 808’s and heartbreaks
40:41 - The cover
42:11 - The Score

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Yung Lean - Jonatan / 2025 / indie rock, rock,

Wiz Khalifa Revives His Sound on 'Kush + Orange Juice 2' | REVIEW

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:20:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Wiz Khalifa's latest mixtape Kush + Orange Juice 2 how he was one of the kings of the blog era and how his trademark sound is one step away from becoming cutting edge.

Timecode:
2:34 Freestyles leading up to the project
3:17 Most influential rappers of the last 15 years
4:16 Wiz day to day vlogs
5:46 OKAY Wiz Khalifa Voice
6:46 The cargo shorts
9:12 Say Yeah
9:32 Mixtape buzz
11:41 Kush & Orange Juice
12:28 Flight School
13:24 Demar Kids comparison
17:35 Mixtapes have died
18:07 Feel like he’s trying to capture his old sound
21:40 Ashbeck
25:29 Has Wiz been on a UK track
27:10 I might be
30:29 Max b interlude
35:05 Did Wiz get it right with the singles?
36:03 Could benefit from getting in the jazz drill space
38:15 Fits in with UK rappers
42:55 Wiz will never rap about something new
50:45 Juicy J
57:09 The cover
01:00:45 The score

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Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10
The Love List: What's Hannin, Just To See You Smile, Jet Taylor, Crime Bud and Women

Bon Iver's 'SABLE, fABLE' finds it's groove but never embraces it | REVIEW

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:13:22 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Bon Iver's fifth studio album SABLE, fABLE how it nears greatness before ultimately shying away and how it feels longer than its 41 minute runtime implies.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4 / 10

The Love List: THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS, S P E Y S I D E, I'll Be There

Timecodes:

1:29 - Thought it was one dude
2:36 - Sampha comparison
04:43 - Adriel’s Doppelganger
6:16 - Best Feature
8:26 - First disc songs were released on a separate EP
11:13 - Loneliness when it comes to folk
15:30 - If you’re going to do a long intro
21:48 - Frank Ocean vibes
23:14 - A 2025 song
24:33 - Mustafa comparison
26:53 - ‘From’ traditional format – boat rock
30:29 - Undanceable
31:11 - Missing the black part of the music
41:05 - As a full project, it’s a different kind of listen
42:05 - The production is hiding the lyrics in a bad way
42:25 - What it means for their career
49:15 - The cover
51:40 - Score

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Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE / 2025 / indie rock, folk, rock

The Greatest Debut Albums in Album Mode Review History

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:00:08 +0000

Cue the filler music! Adriel and Démar are taking a look back into the annals of Album Mode history and to find the best debut projects they've ever reviewed. When you've been podcasting for nearly 5 years, you can do that. We're talking Unknown T, Olivia Rodrigo and of course the goddess, PinkPantheress and more!

Timecodes:
5:36 - Framework of the context of the artist
6:28 - The album that is the furthest in their career
7:39 - Arlo Parks
15:34 - Has a lane can work with more of the street artists
16:07 - Folk artist but gritty
16:56 - The Last Dinner Party
22:37 - Silk Sonic
25:59 - Too retro?
26:16 - Credible but not eligible
30:55 - Music is more popular than she is
32:44 - In a sweet spot of being more then 12 songs but no too long
35:24 - (Sour) Taylor Swift meets Paramore / Avril Lavigne
42:02 - Lil Nas X
46:28 - Picking and choosing what’s a debut album
47:00 - Destroy Lonely
48:28 - Rise above hate – first review
55:04 - Glorilla
55:55 - Tommy Richman
59:03 - Best way to go about dropping a debut album

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Lucy Dacus Sets the Post-Boygenius Tone with 'Forever is a Feeling' | REVIEW

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lucy Dacus' fourth studio album “Forever is a Feeling” how the album is a tone setter for her post Boygenuius and how her lyrical longingness escapes being cheesy.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Ankles, Limerence, Talk, Most Wanted Man

Timecodes:
3:25 - Songwriter-type music
5:23 - The reset button and how that affects their career
8:42 - The origins of this album
9:24 - Longing vibes
12:46 - Romanticizing her past
13:28 - For keeps
17:15 - Vacation boo
20:51 - Sex and the City Comparison
28:21 - Imagery is very explicit
37:35 - Accentuate the loneliness
38:21 - How do these songs live on their own?
43:06 - What she said about writing Modigilani
47:35 - The cover
49:20 - No skips - too flat production-wise
50:43 - The Score

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Lucy Dacus - Forever is a Feeling / 2025 / indie rock, folk, rock

'Equus Asinus' Cements Men I Trust as the Biggest Band of the Last 6 Years | REVIEW

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:45:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Men I Trust's latest studio album “Equus Asinus” how the band's production has shifted in this latest release and how you can get drop a Men I Trust lyric in your relationship to sound poetic.

P.S. Where's the Clairo feature??

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8 / 10
The Love List: I Come With Mud, Bethlehem, Paul's Theme, Frost Bite, Girl (2025)

Timecodes:

5:11 - Soft enough for the bedroom but not so we are going to sleep
9:06 - could be on Zach Bryan’s album
13:43 - There is a country element
16:33 - Paul’s theme sample
19:13 - The production on here is not homogenous
24:35 - The way the songs have been sung has not changed
29:23 - Songs with an immersive cinematic feel
33:57 - Let yourself feel
37:31 - Going to the lyrics help you like the song more
39:48 - What it means for their career
49:16 - The score

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Men I Trust - Equus Asinus / 2025 / indie rock, bedroom pop, indie

Is Playboi Carti's 'Music' Pure Aura? | REVIEW

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:59:36 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Playboi Carti’s third studio album “Music”, his new deep voice, the album’s incredible production, and how Carti’s aura and influence is pivotal to his fandom.

P.S. SWAMP IZZO!!!!

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4.5 / 10

The Love List: POP OUT, RATHER LIE, MOJO JOJO, WAKE UP F1LTHY, OLYMPIAN, OPM BABI, LIKE WEEZY

Timecodes:

6:00 - Hip-hop Christmas song
9:16 - Features / narrative wise
12:42 - Most famous but hasn’t released an album in 4 years
15:15 - His fan base is so loud
17:40 - Super fan and musicians think he’s amazing
18:22 - His fans create the conversation around his music
20:35 - Production is the star
23:01 - Has legit vision
23:50 - Progression of his sound
26:11 - Real artistic vision
27:05 - Does the production a disservice
29:23 - This whole album is “if so and so is on this”
30:30 - Underrated in their production
33:00 - Deep voice
36:01 - Don’t know if he found the thing in the experiment
36:25 - Choir vocals
40:10 - Song structure we developed
40:44 - Demar is doing the things fans do
41:25 - Kendrick combo
42:07 - Roles flipped with adlibs and verse
44:49 - Drake declined to be on the project
49:12 - Interested in seeing where this is going
49:52 - Pitbull comparison
53:10 - Rod wave comparison
55:41 - His lyrics sound like when you freestyle in college
1:05:25 - His music isn’t as good, but his aura is higher
1:12:18 - What is important to his genre is not the same as the rest if hip-hop
1:19:42 - His career
1:22:10 - SGA is a taller Allen Iverson
1:23:40 - Has hip-hop split
1:27:08 - The cover
1:31:50 - The score

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Playboi Carti - Music / 2025 / Hip hop, rap, rage, trap

Lady Gaga | MAYHEM

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 20:20:54 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lady Gaga's latest studio album 'Mayhem', how she's navigated her fame throughout her career and why this entire project sounds like it got pulled straight out of the 1980s.

P.S. heavy Siouxsie and the Banshees vibes on Abracadabra

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: Disease, Die With a Smile, Perfect Celebrity, Vanish into You

Timecodes:

2:26 - Bruno Mars
4:13 - A star is born
8:00 - Rarely an artist is in their own lane like this
9:23 - Madonna 2.0
12:00 - Putting out music consistently and just ignoring it
14:07 - Démar likes pop songs
15:16 - Frame how we view Lady Gaga
16:30 - Missing a Charlie xcx feature
19:58 - She doesn’t have the vision
23:41 - Miley Cyrus comparison
27:05 - 80’s inspired
29:20 - Blade of Grass
33:52 - The way she frames celebrity
36:49 - Almost doing a Weeknd thing
43:30 - Abracadabra: Loved everything but the hook
50:29 - How are we deciding who’s too old to say what
56:20 - The cover
1:06:02 - The Score

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Lady Gaga - MAYHEM / 2025 / Pop, Synth pop, electronic

Lisa | Alter Ego

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lisa's debut solo studio album 'Alter Ego', how it might be one of the most expensive albums of the year and whether her alter egos are just an excuse for a lack of vision.

Démar’s rating: 2 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: Moonlit Floor, Lifestyle, BADGRRRL, New Woman

Timecodes:

3:03 - Americans don’t listen to K-Pop
4:00 - Gangnam Style
7:32 - What genre is this?
9:30 - Doja cat comparison
10:12 - Very few songs Adriel likes the production the whole way through
11:00 - Expensive album
15:00 - 2010’s comparison
15:26 - This might be garbage
16:28 - Rihanna without the sauce
25:03 - Early Future
31:18 - Faster paced music is better with Lisa
33:21 - Fuck up the world
35:52 - Family channel
37:37 - Rapunzel
38:41 - Graduated passed gang vocals for the hook/left in 2011
48:53 - The cover
50:48 - The Score

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Lisa - Alter Ego / 2025 / Pop, Industrial

Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR | $ome $exy $ongs 4 U

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:00:07 +0000

This week, Démar and Adriel discuss Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's collab album '$ome $exy $ongs 4 U', how this album is 10 years too late for old-school Drake fans and why this album is just another milestone in Drake's path of late stage mediocrity.

The Love List: NOKIA, DEEPER, SMALL TIME FAME, MOTH BALLS

Timecodes
2:24 A lot of Drake fans wanted a Drake PND album
3:12 Listening experience has changed
6:06 Don’t hear PND enough
14:24 Songs saved
16:29 The love for Nokia
17:28 Felt like a Donna Summer song
25:48 Brian Steel
30:40 Demar might have to put Drake in the NBAyoungboy zone
31:39 Went into the wrong room
35:43 Abandon everyone and get a different producer
39:45 Drake is still in his popstar phase
43:20 Ice Spice
50:32 Nickelback comparison
56:36 Gimmie a hug
58:55 How sad Drake's life is right now
1:03:15 The writing on this project is underrated
1:09:21 Demar compares Drake to Nav & Gunna
1:11:21 The beef is solidified
1:15:49 Drake avoiding legacy status
1:17:21 The Cover
1:21:10 The Score

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Démar’s rating: 2 / 10
Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10

Kendrick Lamar vs. The Narrative feat. Jorja Smith

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 16:01:53 +0000

After all the dialogue Demar and Adriel drop their thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl performance. They also discuss whether Not Like Us is getting old and whether we should move on from a beef that is nearly a year running. Also the Duo talk about the Latest AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith song 'Crush' bringing back Demar's hot take on Jorja Smith making the wrong genre of music.

Timecodes
2:23 - Was the setlist real?
3:43 - Comparing Kendrick to past Super Bowl performers?
5:25 - A diss record being Kendrick’s biggest hit
8:45 - The actual Super Bowl performance / PlayStation stage
11:50 - Kendrick Lamar as an activist
16:15 - The narrative is misguided
19:55 - Drake vs. UMG
24:45 - An artist can peak multiple times
28:05 - How long will Kendrick be performing Not Like Us?
30:11 - Approaching GOAT Status
33:57 - The rules are about to change
36:09 - $ome $exy $ongs
39:39 - Grand National Tour
48:34 - Hip-Hop has become the NBA
54:36 - New music from Jorja Smith & AJ Tracey

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The Weeknd | Hurry Up Tomorrow

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss The Weeknd's sixth studio album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow', how the album feels like a DJ set instead of an album, whether the name retirement is legit and how he's transitioned from R&B to being an electronic artist.

Timecodes
1:25 Is the End?
3:03 Dawn FM
8:34 Demar explains
18:27 We just wanna hear The Weeknd talk his shit
20:09 Favourite Weeknd songs
24:30 Wake me up - that’s just Thriller
26:05 The name of the project
27:20 Feels like a DJ set
28:45 Cry for me sounds like the old Weeknd
33:14 Open hearts, type of production already heard
39:15 Reflections Laughing
40:52 Travis, on a slower song, can still take over the track
48:02 Enjoy the show, it should have a Drake feature on it
53:15 AI verse?
1:00:41 Playboi Carti / Weeknd song
1:01:35 Opposite of accountability / top toxic
1:10:25 Early Weeknd sounded like he wanted to go out like a rockstar
1:30:00 Name Change
1:34:06 The Cover
1:38:51 The Score

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Démar’s rating: 9 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: Cry For Me, Timeless, Niagara Falls, Without a Warning, Open Hearts

The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow / 2025 / pop, electronic, synth pop, brazillian funk, trap,

Central Cee | Can't Rush Greatness

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:00:08 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Central Cee's debut studio album 'Can't Rush Greatness', how America cares more about his music than the UK and how he's a pop rapper by UK standards but almost a lyricist in America.

P.S. Young Miko just gained two new fans

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: 5 Star, Limitless, Don't Know Anymore, Gen Z Luv, Gata

Timecodes
1:27 Album or mixtape
2:59 I’m not really a newcomer
5:47 Commitment issues
7:56 Cover of wild west
8:49 I’m a civilian now
8:59 Be hard as fuck and a good rapper in UK
12:55 He is the UK rapper to America
13:26 Aitch’s diss track
17:44 He’s not K-Os
25:10 Knucks production influence
26:08 His ability to traverse sounds
30:59 Pop Smoke feature would have been great
34:38 Truth in the lies
35:15 Sample makes it harder to listen to
39:25 Central Cee singing
41:30 Skepta song
45:02 Best Features?
48:36 Trump and Tristan Thompson comparison
50:19 Americana bars
51:35 Intro not even talking to the UK
54:48 A&R making all the moves
58:59 How many people knew about his girlfriend
1:02:30 Accountability
1:08:12 Why it’s important
1:13:32 No Skips?
1:14:05 The Cover is corny
1:21:29 The Score

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Drake's Beef Elevates to UMG

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:00:07 +0000

Drake's beef is no longer with Kendrick Lamar, it's with their mutual label UMG and Drake is suing for defamation. Watch as the dynamic duo of Demar and Adriel breakdown what exactly is in the lawsuit documents and what it could mean for hip hop if Drake actually wins the lawsuit.

Timecodes:

4:02 Upset at UMG for putting out not like us
4:56 UMG is aware these allegations are false
7:18 If Drake wins this, that will forever alter rap beef
12:59 Putting Drake in the diddy group
15:28 Hyperbole
16:46 Two standouts from the lawsuit
25:42 Drake hiding his kid is not a crime

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Mac Miller | Balloonerism

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:00:06 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Mac Miller's secpmd posthumous album 'Balloonerism', how mac was ahead of his time sonically and his eerie, Tupac-like lyrics.

The Love List: Stoned, Mrs. Deborah Downer, 5 Dollar Pony Rides, Rick's Piano, Tomorrow Will Never Know

Timecodes:

4:38 - Saved songs
6:05 - Fav Mac Miller album
7:03 - Westside Gunn comparison
8:36 - Growing up between KIDS & Watching Movies with the Sound Off
13:00 - SZA17:05 Soft launched his drug use
17:32 - SZA pronunciations
18:45 - Eery hearing speak about death
22:30 - Mentioning sleep and death often
26:42 - Juice wrld comparison
32:24 - Really in touch with his childhood
40:22 - If this came out today, where is the Smino ft
45:20 - The production lesson from this project
48:51 - Kali Uchis / Melting
49:55 - Lil Baby could never
51:49 - Getting the right people in the room/jam session
52:15 - Dreamscape
54:42 - it sounds like he wasn’t scared of his death
56:47 - Slept on
1:07:04 - The white internet
1:09:26 - Anyone in music history that has eight quality projects
01:09:47 - The cover
01:12:43 - The Score

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Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel's rating: 8 / 10

Mac Miller - Balloonerism / 2025 (2014) / neo-soul, hip hop, rap, psychedlic hip hop

Bad Bunny | DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:00:07 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Bad Bunny's sixth studio album 'Debí tirador más fotos', his double entendres to Puerto Rico, the album's varied production maintaining its roots and how he's doing what Drake should've done back in 2020.

The Love List: The Club, TURiSTA, PIToRRO DE COCO, VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR

Timecodes:

4:17 - Not the Highest he peaked on Spotify
7:18 - What are you thinking going into this project
8:09 - The Chairs
10:18 - Lyrics
12:00 - How do you approach an album when you don’t speak the language
12:26 - Demar taking a shot at T-pain
13:23 - Drake comparison to El Club
18:26 - Similar to The Weeknd
23:30 - The duality in his music
31:29 - Can’t escape the sadness but it’s still happy
32:22 - It’s a bop but he’s singing from pain
32:45 - Beginning synth reminded Adriel of 2000’s pop era
37:38 - One problem with the production
40:45 - There is a story here even if you don’t know the lyrics
48:30 - Doing the thing Drake should do
49:25 - The sound on this project is more traditional
52:57 - No Skips
53:15 - Made Demar a bad bunny fan
54:34 - The cover
57:02 - The score

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Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 9 / 10

Bad Bunny - Debí tirador más fotos / 2025 / reggaeton, pop, Plena, jíbaro

LiAngelo Ball Just Dropped the Song of the Year and Billboard’s Top Artists of the 21st Century

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:00:08 +0000

LiAngelo Ball just dropped the song of the year and we're only in the third week! Demar and Adriel break it down and how everyone around them was asking for their approval before admitting they liked it. Also the TikTok ban looks like it'll be heading into full effect the duo discuss what that'll mean for music. Lastly Billboard’s Top Artists of the 21st Century drops and they have a laugh.

Timecodes:

00:53 - Tweaker song of the year
4:01 - If the St. Lunatics sung by Nate Dogg
7:58 - Real house wife’s of the NBA
8:21 - Send it but not saying their opinion
9:10 - All Gold Everything or a Bad and Bougie
9:50 - Tik-tok
17:35 - 4chan mobile
18:16 - Billboard Artists of the Century

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Lil Baby | WHAM

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:00:06 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lil Baby's fourth studio album 'WHAM', his pump fake production, falling behind Gunna and Lil Baby possibly entering the NBA Youngboy zone (also what the NBA Youngboy Zone means).

The Love List: I Promise, Listen Up, So Sorry, Streets Colder

Timecodes:

6:23 - Street Gossip / not on the train
9:23 - People at that time were touting his rapping ability
10:26 - Why my turn was so successful
11:59 - Made a single artist become an album artist in one night
12:20 - Having the podcast when my turn came out
16:09 - Whiney voice
18:12 - We are heading somewhere
21:46 - He’s not a musician to his core
25:43 - Lil Baby was a beast with features
27:10 - Redbone heard that a million times with future
30:32 - So Sorry
34:19 - Maybe that’s not his friend
36:45 - The lyrics are not family-friendly but will be the biggest song
39:10 - Flows have a name like instruments now
40:28 - NBA Youngboy zone
43:11 - Overall for his career
46:30 - The cover
50:22 - Score

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 3.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 2.5 / 10

Lil Baby - WHAM / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap,

SheelovesKP on the Drake vs Kendrick Aftermath & His Top 5 albums of 2024

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:08:55 +0000

Album Mode is joined by its first ever guest, Kyle Parkinson! (@sheeloveskp) It's the end of the year so we've decided to breakdown our favourite music moments of the year and how the landscape has changed. Also Kyle gives us his top 5 albums of the year and exlpains how the UMG pulling its music from TikTok affected him. Strap in for a first ever and maybe first of many!

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Top 10 Albums of 2024

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:00:06 +0000

Finally the episode you've all been waiting for, Album Mode's top 10 albums of 2024! Adriel and Démar list their best albums of the year and hand out some honourable metions to cap off 2024. There's some surprises in both lists so strap in for our year-ender.

TIMECODES:

1:25 - 5 Top 10 albums of this year
5:18 - Album from this year that people will remember
6:40 - Lucky Daye
10:40 - We don’t trust you
11:45 - Listening to the album in full is a different experience
12:02 - Born in the wild
14:14 - Previous #9 Fat Dog - Woof
15:03 - Rema – Heis
18:06 - Charli XCX
18:47 - BRAT influencing politics
19:30 - Flo Milli
22:42 - Doechii alligator bites never heal
24:20 - Sometimes, she resembles other people
25:56 - Zach Bryan
29:07 - Might Delete Later
31:19 - Can’t listen to Lucky Daye because he’s not paying child support
32:18 - J Cole hater
33:00 - GNX
36:33 - Never been this West Coast
37:30 - Leon Thomas Mutt
39:18 - BRAT / Victory lap by Demar
42:59 - Charli XCX is the queen of pop this year
43:56 - The last dinner party
47:55 - Yeat
51:46 - Blue Lips
54:10 - If Kendrick did the things Schoolboy Q did musically
55:15 - Yeat 2093
58:16 - I Thought we valued creativity in music
58:42 - Different is good
1:01:02 - Honourable mentions

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Démar’s Top 10:

Yeat – 2093
Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
Yeat – Lyfestyle
Charli XCX – Brat
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Zach Bryan – Great American Bar Scene
Flo Mili Fine Ho, Stay
Fat Dog – Woof
Metro & Future – We Don’t Trust You

Adriel's Top 10:

Schoolboy Q - Blue Lips
Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy
Leon Thomas - Mutt
Kendrick Lamar - GNX
J Cole - Might Delete Later
Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal
Charli XCX - Brat
Metro & Future - We Don't Trust You
Tems - Born in the Wild
Lucky Daye – Algorithm

J Cole | Friday Night Lights

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:45:06 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the re-release of J Cole's third mixtape 'Friday Night Lights' on Apple Music and Spotfy. The also talk about J Cole being the intial foil to Drake and how underrated J Cole is a producer.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Back to the Topic, Villematic, In The Morning, See World, Too Deep for the Intro

TIMECODES:

3:20 - Hip-hop fans have been holding onto these two mixtapes
4:52 - Era where it was Cole vs Drake
5:28 - Mixtapes poppin' online and outside
7:16 - How different hip-hop sounded at that time
9:46 - Workout as the single
11:50 - Drake and Cole collaboration
13:17 - Looking for trouble
15:23 - When Twitter was Twitter
22:05 - Negative space
23:56 - Must be love
24:22 - Flipping popular R&B samples
25:41 - Taking the production and just rapping over it
29:57 - In the morning
33:26 - When was the last time we heard Drake rapping like this
37:43 - These songs are a walk
42:15 - So many quotables from a mixtape
44:08 - No one talks like that in hip-hop
49:50 - Made him more relatable
52:27 - Too deep for the intro
1:00:56 - What it means for his career
1:04:00 - the cover
1:12:14 - Adriel hot take

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J Cole - Friday Night Lights / 2024 / hip hop, rap

Kendrick Lamar | GNX

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 22:50:56 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Kendrick Lamar's sixth studio album 'GNX', Kendrick Lamar allowing himself to make music without an overacrching concept and Kendrick taking his LA centric sound to an international audience.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: wacced out murals, squabble up, peekabo, hey now, luther, gloria

TIMECODES:

2:17 Jack Antonoff
5:00 At a place where we don’t have to make any myths
5:21 2 years removed from Morale
5:46 N95
11:49 Biggest surprised drop since _____
14:09 Best feature
16:29 GNX
18:50 The intro
19:58 Spanish influence
25:39 Very drake like
26:30 Kendrick, being the anti-Drake
28:28 Framing everything through Drake
33:54 How do you feel about reincarnation
37:09 Kendrick is an honest artist
37:34 Peekaboo
40:44 TV off
42:22 DJ Mustard's new producer tag
43:16 Ruins the beat switch
47:31 Violent hyphy music
58:33 Under estimating / overestimating how much people like Kendrick Lamar
1:03:04 Humble at a party is crazy
1:04:37 The Cover
1:08:22 The Scores

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Kendrick Lamar - / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap, hyphy

Cordae | The Crossroads

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 20:00:08 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Cordae's third studio album 'The Crossroads', why what he raps about hasn't changed since his debut and his features being the stars of his album.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: No Bad News, Syrup Sandwiches, Summer Drops, Saturday Mornings

TIMECODES:

4:01 - How many Cordae songs do you have liked
7:00 - Young Nudy vs. Denzel Curry vs Cordae
10:44 - The intro/artist that doesn’t exist in hip-hop anymore
11:31 - What is the budget for this album?
14:45 - Being autobiographical sets him apart
15:20 - Best feature
17:41 - Sharknado comparison
18:03 - Vocal vulnerability
18:54 - Juicy J feature
29:44 - Syrup sandwiches / thought that was Frank Ocean
31:58 - Song about his kid before she was born
34:13 - Rare artist; when you hear it sounds good, but when read, it still has some value
34:49 - He Needs to stop talking about his family
39:41 - Don’t know where he’s headed with the future of his lyrics
30:24 - Hasn’t compromised his sound for a hit song
41:56 - Breakup songs in hip-hip are corny
43:02 - The cover
45:00 - The Score

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Cordae - The Crossroads / 2024 / hip hop, rap, boom bap

2025 Grammy Predictions

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 19:27:21 +0000

The latest Grammys nominations just dropped so you know we had to make some predicitions. Since Adriel and Demar have lost all hope in the Grammys ever getting it right, we predict who we think is going to win in the most cynical fashion.

TIMECODES:

2:10 - Who was the Grammy’s fav white woman?
2:40 - Context going into the Grammy’s where race does matter
3:08 - Album of the Year always feels like a popularity contest
3:30 - Adriel is guessing Cowboy Carter wins
4:22 - Demar takes a victory lap with BRAT
4:55 - André 3000 getting on this list is dubious
5:38 - live show gave the energy that this whole thing is a joke (Andre 3000)
7:33 - Not like us winning
9:06 - I’m one of the birds
11:10 - Best new artist
12:28 - Everyone on the list has made music for years but this is when they made it in their eyes
13:44 - Demar controversial pick
14:49 - Rap album of the year
15:21 - Death of Slim Shady
19:00 - Espresso is going to win it
20:05 - New Edition of the white women rankings

===================================

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SahBabii | Saaheem

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 23:47:23 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss SahBabii's fourth studio album 'Saaheem ', how amazing the prodcution is and his influences have become an unbearing weight around his music.

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 4 / 10

P.S. Belt Boyz, Belt Boyz, Belt Boyz, Belt Boyz

The Love List: Belt Boyz, Viking, Mirror Picz, Sylvan Rd Ridin Down Dill

TIMECODES:
2:56 - Confused to how we got here
4:42 - Diehard fans
5:46 - artificially pushed to album mode
8:08 - The lyrics are not why we’re here
8:54 - Expected loops
9:32 - What is a belt boy
10:48 - Young Nudy comparison
11:29 - 2009-2013 Lex Luger production mashed with Cardo Got Wings
13:45 - Vocal delivery falls flat
15:55 - What about just songwriting
16:17 - Technically, the texture is there
17:24 - Stop talking you’re ruining it
18:38 - Giving more of a Young Thug experience
21:09 - We can skip his lyrics
24:59 - One of the more playlist albums
28:40 - No Skips
29:18 - the cover
30:10 - Adriel is bewildered about this album review
31:33 - Score

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SahBabii - Saaheem/ 2024 / hip hop, melodic trap, trap

Lil Uzi Vert | Eternal Atake 2

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 19:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lil Uzi Vert's fourth studio album 'Eternal Atake 2', how the rest of rage (and hip hop in general) has passed them by and if they can ever recover from being Kid Cudi'd .

Démar’s rating: 3 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 3.5 / 10

P.S. Meteor Man has gotta be Uzi's worst song ever... Right?

The Love List: We Good, Chips and Dip, Space High

TIMECODES:

1:06 - Demar not looking forward to EA2
1:48 - Lil Uzi’s best album?
5:25 - Debut album numbers
6:50 - Lil Uzi being left behind
10:45 - Liked Songs on Spotify
11:53 - Past Lil Uzi Reviews
13:01 - Big Time Rush
16:55 - We Good
18:16 - Lil Uzi Vert is behind Rage music
21:00 - Black Hole
24:41 - Lil Uzi Vert being sober
26:38 - Yeat vs. Uzi
27:38 - The Fall Off
31:48 - Demar is a little sad
32:31 - Playboi Carti & Lil Uzi Vert are lyricists
37:21 - Demar is a self-proclaimed ‘Outlier’
39:27 - Used to be a prime-time hook-maker
42:10 - Lyft Em Up
43:50 - Meteor Man is their worst song ever
46:14 - 2016 Hip-Hop Mount Rushmore
50:35 - What is the future for Lil Uzi Vert?
53:47 - Production-based artists
57:45 - The Cover
1:00 - The Scores

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Lil Uzi Vert - Eternal Atake 2 / 2024 / hip hop, rage, elecrtonic, trap

Album Mode Celebrates 200 Reviews!

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 21:00:02 +0000

Somehow we've made it to 200 album reviews on Album mode! Shoutout to everyone who's been following us since the days of only video and shoutout to everyone who's subscribed since we've made the jump to YouTube. Here's to 200 more!

TIMECODES:

3:14 - Taylor Swift is one of the more interesting ones
4:11 - Cleo Sol/biggest regrets
7:18 - Leaders on the Nas resurgence
8:05 - Separating the narrative from the artist
10:48 - Kawhi Leonard’s album
11:34 - NewJeans
12:49 - Démar congratulates himself
13:22 - Vince Staples
13:57 - High on Gunna
14:57 - Post Malone
15:52 - Adriel takes credit for Brent Faiyaz
17:25 - SoundBytes
19:00 - Diddy in the SB Hall of Shame
21:41 - Retro reviews
===================================

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CC. Tyler, The Creator | CHROMAKOPIA

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:45:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Tyler, the Creator's eighth studio album 'CHROMAKOPIA ', how his production has had a slight regression and how Tyler, the Creator has reached a point where we care enough to release such a personal album.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: St. Chroma, Sticky, I Killed You, Balloon, Hey Jane, Darling, I, Thought I Was Dead

TIMECODES:

3:26 - Fans that have to be like Tyler
5:49 - Difference from Goblin to Cherry Bomb / Childish & Cudi
7:26 - NOID / NO ID
10:05 - Tyler is their Kanye / what Kanye used to do
13:23 - Test case for how you hear an album
14:00 - Quote from Tyler
16:40 - Knows how to make intro’s
17:37 - Making them blend
17:51 - St Chroma
20:08 - Sticky is simplistic
23:35 - Mashup of all his sounds on this project “Rah Tah Tah”
25:44 - Darling I
27:10 - Grabbing from all his sounds
31:26 - Dark and sad guitar on sad a
35:14 - Lil Wayne and Tyler don’t miss
35:44 - Doechii
37:40 - Glo best feature / distinct voice
41:15 - Hey Jane / pregnancy scare
48:30 - Going through a fear on inadequacy
52:26 - Better lyrically dance albums
53:02 - Tried to escape being funny
56:27 - Part of the new big
58:44 - Being left of center
59:57 - Looks different every time a project comes out
1:02:00 - Almost a throw back
1:09:36 - The cover
1:12:30 - Move the goal post of what’s good
1:13:45 - Scores

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Tyler, The Creator - CHROMAKOPIA / 2024 / hip hop, soul, pop,

CXCIX. YEAT | Lyfestylë

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Yeat's debut album 'Lyfestylë ', how his production has become a playground, whether his lyrics matter in anyway and if Yeat's music is something you need to 'get' to like.

Timecodes
1:58 What’s a Yeat?
4:34 Is he building a world again / trailer?
8:39 How many songs saved from this artist?
10:13 Demar has 92 Yeat songs saved
11:30 You are watching a master at work
11:37 If you are a producer and Yeat calls it’s the best day of your life/push all the buttons 13:07 problem with the production on this album / squeaky sound
15:23 You can’t say you don’t like it/you don’t get it
16:35 Love is blind comparison
17:20 muddy vocals
19:54 if I didn’t read the lyrics I couldn’t tell you what he is saying
25:12 1/18th hip-hop/production to rage to/ different production that hip-hop fans are used to
26:11 White passing artist with hip-hop tropes in his language / what he is wearing
27:10 Not trying to divorce himself from hip-hop / pushing it away but still being a part if it
28:56 The bell is back / lifestyle he pulls out every trick
32:14 Song sound more like music
33:25 No party Adriel has been to where yeat will get played and people will
34:40 Tech n9ne fanbase comparison
36:00 Can yeat make a #1 song?
36:56 Lyrically rough
38:16 Eminem test
41:21 American Idol test
47:00 Is this good rapping?
54:33 Makes a lot of A- B+ songs
56:30 AI cover?
59:03 The Scores

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 9.5 / 10
Adriel's rating: 4 / 10
The Love List: GEEK TIME, LYING 5 FUN, SO WHAT, GOD TALKIN SHHH, THEY TELL ME, NEW HIGH
Yeat - Lyfestylë / 2024 / hip hop, electronic, rage, trap

CXCVIII. GloRilla | Glorious

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 21:42:52 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss GloRilla's debut album 'Glorious ', how she's transitioned from being a singles artist, her masterful ear for production and the album's stunning features.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: HOLLON, TGIF, STEP, I LUV HER, PROCEDURE

TIMECODES:

2:02 - Background on Glorilla
2:24 - FNF
3:29 - Live review of the FNF / saw the vision
5:57 - Fivio Foreign feature
8:30 - Understanding of how things work in the internet age in terms of Glo
11:36 - Trap banger women picking better beats
15:10 - Step/shooting synths
17:21 - What you know about me / can’t sing
17:38 - Wipe me down
19:50 - Sampling a record they play today in the club
20:10 - T-pain, not gotten old
21:45 - Feels like we’re back in 06
22:30 - Autotune in the T-pains era compared to this era
23:55 - Sounds like a comment section
26:34 - Almost incriminating herself
29:09 - Fine tuning of the production made the song better
31:17 - If it happed in male rap it would be egregious
32:30 - Women in the dating world talking about their prospective
33:22 - Whoever this record is about I hope it put fear in him
35:08 - Doesn’t have the same ring to it if a man said it
37:37 - How it is for her career / this whole album is Memphis
39:18 - Features come to her world
41:30 - The cover
44:05 - Vinyl cost
45:05 - Adriel discriminates
45:58 - The score

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GloRilla - Glorious/ 2024 / hip hop, crunk, trap

J Cole Doesn't Realize He Damaged His Legacy on Port Antonio

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 11:00:02 +0000

J. Cole just dropped his latest single 'Port Antonio' and it sounds like he doesn't understand the damage he's done. When he stepped outside the beef he sealed his fate but somehow he's still rapping about being the best. The duo breakdown Cole's misguided raps.

TIMECODES:
1:05 Instagram only drops
2:25 Dat Piff / Going back in time
4:08 Coming from The Fall Off
4:44 Like when things are addressed in the music
5:10 Don’t think Drake and Cole will be cool
9:04 He made the adult decision
9:55 Drake and Kendrick will never be cool
13:00 The best rapping was coming from J. Cole
15:22 Like a Wilt Chamberlain-type character
17:18 Drake & Kendrick battling for GOAT status
21:15 His life is going to be better since he backed out of the beef

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Diddy Gets Hit With 120 New Sexual Assault Allegations

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:57:54 +0000

The allegations are flying in. Diddy is facing more allegations in civil court, and the number of allegations is staggering. The patented duo breaks things down.

TIMECODES
4:50 120 allegations coming forward
7:03 Going after the accomplices
11:03 Put doubt in celebrities
11:52 Trump comparison
12:18 Power dynamics
13:48 Every time their phone rings, their heart drops
14:59 Diddy’s name is so corrosive
17:29 What is going to be the burden of proof
17:36 50 cent + Ma$e on the right side of history
18:32 Who will get the pass and who won’t

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CXCVII. Leon Bridges | Leon

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:06:21 +0000

This week, Démar and Adriel discuss Leon Bridges's fourth album 'Leon', why Bridges can't really make a bad song and whether he's actually a blues artist instead of R&B.

TIMECODES:
2:08 Largely successful at the start of his career
2:30 Coming home
4:09 Typed in Leon into Spotify / Who is the best Leon
6:52 In this group, that doesn’t make bad songs
7:24 Not as R&B when it comes to some songs
11:34 Blues artists
12:24 Rod Wave
14:06 Needs Shaboozy
15:36 Zach Bryan feature
16:17 If they had a feature on them, they could have popped
18:40 A little country tilt
19:40 When a man cries
21:05 Breaking the fourth wall
25:51 If you can’t relate, then you’ve never been in love
27:40 He’s talking about everyone else in relation to him / speaking outside himself
29:44 Similar to Kid Cudi / fans want to hear your pain
32:00 The album named after you
35:13 No skips
36:50 The Scores

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===================================

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: When a Man Cries, Laredo, Panther City, Simplify, Peaceful Place

CXCVI. Tommy Richman | COYOTE

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 20:45:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Tommy Richman's debut album Coyote, why leaving off his break out singles 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'The Devil is a Liar' is a mistake and his unique combinations of influences in Michael Jackson, Tyler the Creator and Justin Timberlake.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: WHITNEY, TEMPTATIONS, LETTERMAN, ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, VANITY

TIMECODES:

1:59 - Million Dollar Baby
4:41 - Great Expectations
6:34 - What is it a mistake leaving the singles off your album
7:38 - When “Crew” came out
8:05 Plant allegations
9:30 - Unofficial Brent Faiyaz's Canadian manager
10:25 - Just because you have not heard of an artist doesn’t mean they don’t exist
11:24 - A blend of 3 legends
13:23 - If someone was a pop star but they weren’t a nerdy theatre kid
14:25 - Would temptations have gone viral?
19:22 - I don’t know what his real singing voice sounds like
21:24 - Don Toliver comparison
21:41 - hearing it live without the effects on the mic
22:46 - Vanity
26:36 - Joji comparison
27:58 - Démar wants more features
31:09 - Ice Spice route
35:13 - The vibe of his lyrics are not as important
36:45 - Passively, it slaps more
37:37 - It’s giving ‘I’m an artiste’
45:40 - No skips
46:50 - Demar is concerned
48:55 - The score

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Tommy Richman - Coyote / 2024 / pop, R&B, Virginia funk

Diddy is Finally Arrested and Deciphering Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Drama

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:59:35 +0000

The feds have Diddy up of sex trafficking a racketeering charges and it ain't looking good. Diddy has already been denied bail twice and is officially awaiting trial. Also we reach back and talk about the Kendrick Lamar - Drake - Jay Z - Lil Wayne Super Bowl debacle and wonder if Kanye West can ever do the Super Bowl.

TIMECODES:

00:55- Diddy arrested
4:15 - 1000 bottles of baby oil
8:10 - What reason do you have to have that much baby oil?
8:30 - A lot of people aligned with Diddy
9:37 - Seems what he was doing was known
12:25 - Giving his masters back
13:13 - 100 mill lawsuit
14:10 - What the public thinks of who should be next
15:43 - The group of men who openly date teenagers
16:33 - The Superbowl
18:03 - Lil Wayne is not a Superbowl-level artist
19:03 - The beef: will Kendrick be able to perform Not Like Us
20:48 - Think Drakes gone down another level
22:44 - Normally, a hit song with that subject matter would be a big deal 30:32 Kanye getting the Superbowl in the future

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CXCV. Fousheé | Pointy Heights

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Fousheé's second album 'Pointy Heights', her melding reggae with other genres and her trying to escape the shadow of her influences

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: 100 bux, birds, bees, feel like home, closer, war

TIMECODES:

1:29 Test case – black female artist not making R&B
2:36 Female Teezo Touchdown?
3:45 One of those names Demar sees everywhere
5:30 Reason for the name of the album
5:50 Birds, bees
10:25 Not for the traditional hip-hop/r&b listener
10:19 Interpolation of pass the dutch
11:55 Easter egg for the black listener
12:30 closer / giving late career kid cudi
22:17 Loversland
24:00 Reach a point where everything you like doesn’t have to influence you
28:36 2 more albums before people start to notice
29:17 versus are catchier then the chorus – birds bees
30:17 Feels like home
31:15 Identify crisis to her artistry
32:28 The cover
34:00 Vinyl cop
35:31 The score

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Fousheé - Pointy Heights / 2024 / alternative, indie rock, reggae, dream pop

CXCIV. Fat Dog | Woof.

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 20:23:18 +0000

This week Démar is on a solo mission discussing Fat Dog's debut album 'Woof.' its über dramatic production and Fat Dog's repetitive lyrics actually give you something to grab onto while the production swirls.

Démar’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Vigilante, Wither, Clowns, All the Same, Running, I am the King

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Fat Dog- Woof. / 2024 / New rave, rock, punk, dance

CXCIII. Doechii | Alligator Bites Never Heal

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 19:06:33 +0000

This week Démar is on a solo mission discussing Doechii's third mixtape ' Alligator Bites Never Heal', her clear as day Fugees influences and how an album can feel like a drag even though it's amazing.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: BULLFROG, BOILED PEANUTS, DENIAL IS A RIVER, SKIPP, HIDE N SEEK, DEATH ROLL, NISSAN ALTIMA, HUH!, FIREFLIES, ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL

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Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal / 2024 / rap, hip hop, alternative rap, alternative

CXCII. Sabrina Carpenter | Short n' Sweet

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 20:19:23 +0000

This week Démar is on a solo mission discussing Sabrina Carpenter's sixth studio album Short n' Sweet, her underrated cheeky songwriting and her constant tug of war between pop country and pop R&B.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: Good Graces, Bed Chem, Espresso, Lie To Girls, Don't SmileThe Love List: Losers, What Don't Belong to Me, I Had Some Help

P.S. Sorry for the wait, Doechii review later this week!

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Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet / 2024 / pop, pop country, pop R&B

ALBUM MODE DELUXE: Tinashe - Quantum Baby

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 21:00:02 +0000

A quick one for Tinashe and her seventh studio album "Quantum Baby" where wonder if she's the most anonymous popstar of her generation.

TImecodes
1:50 If you are a pop head
2:34 2 on
2:56 Her tone is not distinct enough
4:12 Victoria Monet comparison
5:38 What do you think this album is missing?
5:59 People she should collab with
6:37 Zelda or Super Mario water level
9:12 Nasty is the worst song / made to be an internet song
11:13 Is this the part of the song that the artist would want you to click on
12:18 Secretly a sexy drill song
14:32 The score
14:55 She great for demo’s

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===================================
Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10
The Love List: Thirsty, Red Flags, No Broke Boys, Cross That Line

Tinashe - Quantum Baby / 2024 / pop, drill, R&B, UK garage

CXCI. Post Malone | F1-Trillion

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 22:30:01 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Post Malone's sixth studio album 'F-1 Trillion', his abandonment of artistic risk and Post Malone's journey across genres.

If you want a ticket to the Polaris Prize Gala in Toronto, drop your favourite Canadian album from this year in our Insta DMs!

Démar’s rating: 3.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: Losers, What Don't Belong to Me, I Had Some Help

TIMECODES:

1:59 - The lead up to F1-Trillion
3:35 - He’s been sliding from his last few projects
5:38 - Getting to a point where the production is like water
7:47 - Who is getting platformed in regard to the features
9:04 - Shaboozey feature missing
10:45 - Zach Bryan
13:09 - Pop Country
14:11 - I heard these in Canadian tire for years
14:42 - You play this in a place to acquire things
18:27 - Hip-hop didn’t accept him when he came in
21:10 - First time real life is impacting the genre an artist makes
22:04 - Hide my gun
25:33 - Losers, self-loathing is really good in country music
30:35 - What Don’t Belong to me, upbeat but not upbeat to move to
32:17 - Song structure is all the same
33:23 - For his career, this is a big win
36:28 - Drake feature comparison
40:29 - A plus for the demo doesn’t look like us
40:55 - You can’t start somewhere else and go into hip-hop
41:36 - Is he a culture vulture?
44:00 - Interview where he said you can’t be deep in hip-hop
45:54 - We kicked him out
46:52 - The cover
50:20 - The score

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Post Malone - F-1 Trillion / 2024 / pop, country, pop country

Drake's 100 Gigs are Weird & Raygun's Disgraceful Olympics Performance

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:00:03 +0000

Can't lie to y'all when we saw Drake and 100 gigs in the same sentence we thought it was over for The Boy. Instead it's a BTS data dump with songs attached. Also Rachel Gun drops one of the worst breakdancing performances in Hip-Hop history. Strap in for a weird one!

Timecodes:
1:15 Drake is someone we don’t always get the BTS
2:04 in-between what Drake should do and what we think he should do
2:38 Tin foil hat theory
4:10 Drake is the artist that would drop a documentary and everyone goes to see it
5:08 Didn’t realize he is the type of artist that records this much of his process
7:34 If he could start again, he would be a dancehall/Afrobeats artist
10:36 This guy has a knife, and I bumped his pocket
11:29 Suffering from putting out too much music
12:53 Talk up
18: 11 To see him viewing himself as MJ from the early days
20:08 The video of him in the studio talking about Too Good
22:30 Olympics
23:13 Looks bad for PHD’s
24:08 Had the audacity to dance as poorly as she did/made a joke of the culture
25:21 So bad people thought it was a bit
26:56 The internet / real or fake outrage
29:25 For you as a white person on the opposite end of the planet and make a mockery of hip-hop
33:15 Underestimation of the importance
35:27 How important/impactful Canada is to hip-hop

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CXC. Latto | Sugar Honey Iced Tea

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:00:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Latto's third album 'Sugar Honey Iced Tea', her surprising versatility and adopting Drake and Doja Cat as influences in her music.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Big Mama, Blick Sum, H&M, Liquor, S/O to Me, Look What You Did

TIMECODES:

4:00 - Didn’t know she had this in her
5:57 - Golden Age of Women in Hip-hop
7:13 - Timestamp Drake record?
9:56 - Drake doing ‘Song Cry’ on every album
15:04 - Meg is in the Logic zone but Latto is not
15:31 - Blick sum
16:35 - Latto might influence me to carry a gun
17:06 - Missy Elliot comparison
18:05 - Big Mama - Drakeism
19:08 - PS1 drill
20:30 - There she go / mike jones flip
21:46 - Ear Candy
23:40 - She does stand alone on these influences
28:00 - Their favorite songs were all the samples
30:00 - Lyrics
33:24 - Fuck you with a sexual connotation
35:14 - Some of these lyrics we can’t sing along to
39:38 - Take a shot every time you hear drakes name
42:00 - She doesn’t need anyone on the hooks/features
47:00 - The cover
51:12 - The score / no skips

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Latto - Sugar Honey Iced Tea! / 2024 / hip hop, rap, drill, trap

CLXXXIX. Ice Spice | Y2K!

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:00:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Ice Spice's debut album 'Y2K!', her being more of a rage/opium artist than drill, lyrical reductionism and whether she's more celebrity than musician.

Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 4.5 / 10

The Love List: Phat Butt, Popa, Plenty Sun, Bitch I'm Packin'

TIMECODES:

5:35- First project of hers that people will remember
6:46 - Stand-out features
9:30 - Yeat would sound like Mob Deep on this
9:54 - Making Central Cee that type of rapper on this project
10:16 - Ice Spice is staying away from anything lyrical
15:08 - Popa and bitch I’m packing
17:15 - To see that she is capable is a plus; why does only one song connect
19:30 - Maybe drill is not the best place to be in
19:48 - BB belt
28:25 - You’re better off just rapping over the song Lil Wayne-style
30:50 - Miss Poopy Pants
31:08 - We have to talk about who Ice Spice is
36:47 - Why is she yelling
39:25 - A lot of self-awareness on this project
40:14 - How this affects her career
43:13 - That half of the album I didn’t expect that to come out of her
44:27 - Crushed by her celebrity
47:18 - Being a singles artist is more work
48:21 - She’s almost becoming what Lil Yachty was
48:49 - The cover
54:28 - The score

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Ice Spice - Y2K! / 2024 / hip hop, rap, drill, opium, rage

CLXXXVIII. Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign | Vultures 2

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 22:15:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the supergroup ¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign)'s second studio album 'Vultures 2', Kanye's juvenile lyrics, reused motifs and incomplete songs.

Démar’s rating: 2 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: River, Field Trip

TIMECODES:

1:04 - Surprised it was going to drop/exist
2:33 - Ye in the NBA Youngboy Zone
3:05 - Vultures
4:25 - Struggle raps for almost an hour
5:30 - Ye was someone who would make an album, scrap the album, and then remake the album
7:40 - similar to White Dress
10:55 - Don’t want to say he ruined all these songs
11:42 - Ye’s lyrics are almost elementary school
12:20 - The Kanye effect
13:30 - Ye is a producer at this point
16:37 - Does it twice on this album
20:10 - Ye is in a space where he used to be adjacent to conscious Hip-Hop
22:25 - The rapper version of Ye needs to retire
26:41 - When Ye is involved in any of these songs, he brings too much baggage
27:45 - Sky City
31:45 - All you have is a cool idea / what message
33:00 - Thought of all the artists that sound homogeneous
34:00 - Remember when he used to have a direction in his project
35:10 - He’s looking washed
39:50 - What are we asking of Ye at this point
43:13 - When people get divorced, you go back to the age you got married at
46:12 - in the worst stretch of music in his career
47:24 - Feels like he’s out of ideas
53:44 - The cover
58:45 - The Score
1:02:15 - The Simpsons comparison

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Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign ¥$ - Vultures 2 / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap,

Deluxe: Denzel Curry, Rema & Clairo

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 16:00:04 +0000

This is Album Mode Deluxe, where we talk about and quickly review albums that we haven't gotten a chance to in the past couple of weeks. Clairo, Denzel Curry and Rema are on the docket and only one of them disappointed, guess which one.

TIMECODES:

1:50 - Denzel curry – very good
5:13 - Another step past ZUU / traditional hip-hop album
6:18 - Florida man 7:30 Every song has features
8:00 - A$AP Ferg feature
9:22 - Demar is not A$AP Mob
11:10 - Good gym album
12:32 - Rema album HEIS
17:35 - This is a different version of afro beats
18:55 - Fast but danceable
19:46 - You can’t sing along but you can dance to
20:04 - Clairo Charm album
22:25 - We can find 10 other people that make this sound
22:55 - Do I want a better singer on this?
25:25 - So many people making this music and not evolving
26:43 - Needs to add more collaborators

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CLXXXVII. Childish Gambino | Bando Stone & the New World

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:26:46 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Childish Gambino's fifth studio album 'Bando Stone & The New World, how progressive his music has become ad his extended run as an artist. And no we don't believe he's gonna retire.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: Lithonia, Talk My Shit, Cruisin', Happy Survival, We Are God

TIMECODES:

2:49 - Wasn’t sure how serious he was
3:30 - Favourite Childing Gambino song
9:00 - Drake comparison
17:08 - Get everything onto the album
18:40 - Cruisin
21:17 - Serene Yeat song
25:24 - Yoshinoya
27:39 - Doesn’t count as vindication
31:26 - Most people are going to know the singles
31:59 - Can you feel me
33:53 - Not every song is progressive
36:38 - Abstract reference kings
37:58 - White boy throwing dirt on his name for a think piece
40:06 - Selling Apple stock to buy a farm
43:14 - He is a case study
44:10 - He mentions how disillusioned he is with fame
46:37 - He is an artiste
47:47 - if it is the last project
50:44 - Tyler bar
51:24 - The cover
57:14 - Scores

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Childish Gambino - Bando Stone & the New World / 2024 / hip hop, soul, afrobeats

Best Albums of 2024 So Far

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 20:00:02 +0000

We're a little over half way through the year so Démar and Adriel look back on some of the best albums so far and which might be a lock for their year-end lists.

TIMECODES:

1:40 - Blue lips
3:00 - Brat
5:10 - Might Delete Later
7:09 - Yeat 2093
7:46 - Defending yourself is the admission of guilt
10:24 - Why Lawd
12:18 - Micah
12:52 - Doubt Demar
15:03 - Algorithm
15:41 - The Album is getting popular for being good
16:45 - In a Frank Ocean space
17:39 - 2025 Grammy’s
18:30 - Water
20:37 - The Last Dinner Party
22:29 - We Don't Trust You
24:13 - Honorable mentions

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CLXXXVI. Zach Bryan | The Great American Bar Scene

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:30:27 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Zach Bryan's fifth studio album 'The Great American Bar Scene', his amazing songwriting, the hip hop to country dictionary and the album's plodding minimalism.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10.
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: Purple Gas, Northern Thunder, Boons, The Way Back, Bass Boat, 28

TIMECODES:

1:10 - A bunch of left turns
1:43 - Démar shouts out himself
5:22 - The singles
8:29 - Title track
9:00 - The Boys’ reference
16:23 - This scene is not even alive for
18:05 - The slower pace is the best version of him
18:44 - Hip-hop to country dictionary
20:59 - Get the Stanley out
25:19 - Minimalist production is the best version of him
32:33 - Least favourite feature
35:40 - I Love to see him working with some left or not country
36:30 - Beyonce feature
37:52 - Disgruntled but optimistic
40:02 - The Character he’s playing reminds Adriel of a 21 savage
43:05 - It’s giving Fast and Furious meets Killer Mike
46:58 - NO Skips
50:05 - Démar and Adriel’s first country music vinyl
51:21 - The Scores

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Zach Bryan - The Great American Bar Scene / 2024 / country, indie, Americana

CLXXXV. Lucky Daye | Algorithm

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:00:05 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lucky Daye's third studio album 'Algorithm', his amazing change in style and how this project is a breath of fresh air for male R&B.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Never Leavin' U Lonely, Herican, Blame, Mary, Breakin' The Bank, Soft

TIMESCODES:

1:01 It's the First Lucky Daye album Dema has ever listened to
2:40 Adriel was surprised by the singles
4:08 Reminds A&D of song they can’t place
6:30 Sounds like Frank Ocean
12:00 It is rare that a song comes on that strong as the intro
15:24 Demar is shocked
16:45 Miguel comparison
18:30 The guy before Travis Scott
22:40 Something that’s been missing in male R&B
25:09 R&B in the past 20 years is similar to hip-hip
25:27 Breakin’ the bank drums
31:57 Who is allowed to have interludes?
32:10 The outro on Blame
34:13 Interludes add texture to a project
35:20 Mary
38:48 Poetic lines but not everything is like that
40:08 His career
43:27 The cover
47:18 Pick up the needle
47:40 The Scores
48:50 Changes the trajectory of R&B

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CLXXXIV. Megan Thee Stallion | Megan

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 18:25:06 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Megan Thee Stallion's third studio album 'Megan', her lack of flow and topic variation along with her being closer to a female Logic than most think.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 4 / 10

The Love List: HISS, B.A.S., Paper Together, Spin, Boa , Cobra

TIMECODES:

3:28 - Is she still a hitmaker?
4:48 - She’s returning shots
6:30 - The diss tracks fit into the theme/cohesiveness of the album
8:56 - Megan’s musical growth since Good News
10:10 - I know what the album sounds like without hearing it
11:24 - Drake vocal sample
11:59 - Jeezy Sample flip
12:30 - How many times she uses the word pussy
13:30 - Sexual empowerment
14:30 - Flo Milli comparison
15:55 - Better rapper than Lil Baby
18:58 - Similar to Meek Mill
21:51 - Tapping into the anime side
24:04 - Headed into the Ice Spice lane
24:59 - Her 3rd project
27:45 - Boa
30:53 - Spin
32:42 - Signature sound being something you’re not the best on
34:04 - Logic comparison
35:53 - Something we created “that it’s empowering”
38:10 - The person that talks like this in real life is someone you don’t like
40:25 - BAS intro
45:20 - What it means for her career / personal case study for Adriel
48:36 - To Megan, rapping fast means rapping well
52:20 - The cover
55:10 - The score

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Megan Thee Stallion - Megan / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap

Kendrick Lamar Pops Out and Queen Sells Their Discography for £1 billion

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 20:01:08 +0000

Sometimes you really have to pop out and show niggas. Kendrick Lamar's Juneteenth concert "The Pop Out — Ken & Friends," crazy, the duo breakdown their favourite moments and disappointments. Also Queen just sold their entire discography for £1 billion and we wonder which new artist could sell for the same.

TIMECODES:

1:10 - Kendrick with the Quotables
2:05 - Showed how important the West Coast is to hip-hop
4:44 - The box
7:15 - Euphoria
9:35 - The crowd
10:40 - Showing all of TDE together
13:48 - There is Not a bigger W in sports than defeating the biggest rapper
14:56 - Biggest problem with Drake is the unification effect is not there
15:51 - Vince Staples
17:01 - Kendrick album expectations
25:13 - Queen selling their catalogue
29:51 - Is there and artist that would garner more money then queen?
32:11 - What is going to happen with all these being sold?
33:20 - Outkast - Hey Ya
35:35 - Too new?

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CLXXXIII. Kehlani | CRASH

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 18:16:45 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Kehlani's fourth studio album 'Crash', her failed expansion beyond R&B and whether her album performances even matter to her career overall.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5 / 10

The Love List: Groove Theory, 8, Deep

TIMECODES:

4:39 Originators of vibey R&B girl era
4:55 Fans and the public view her differently
8:19 Ariana Grande
10:14 Toxic Queens
17:45 A lot of good songs but no bangers
18:19 Leave that stuff to Ice Spice / Glorilla
19:45 Styles P
20:32 Vocals strained
25:15 Very regular Afro beats track
26:44 Unnamed singer
27:30 No songs that only she can do
32:04 Cohesiveness of her project
33:04 A disservice to her fans
35:50 Low power Rhianna
37:07 The cover
39:00 The Scores

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Kehlani - CRASH / 2024 / R&B, pop, country

CLXXXII. Don Toliver | Hardstone Psycho

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 19:54:35 +0000

This week, Démar and Adriel discuss Don Toliver's fourth studio album 'Hardstone Psycho', his versatility, joining the sexy drill wave, and Don Toliver outgrowing the Cactus Jack label.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: KRYPTONITE, TORE UP, LAST LAUGH, 5 TO 10, DEEP IN THE WATER

TIMECODES:

1:47 - Can’t Say
2:33 - His last project
3:07 - His voice colour
5:19 - Sexy drill
7:15 - Same spot as the last review
7:43 - Staying one pocket is a disservice
8:35 - Bandit as a single
11:34 - Don Toliver is like Count Dracula
12:16 - Almost a new genre
15:28 - Future comparison
18:20 - RIP to screw / Travis Scott songs
21:43 - Disc 4 R&B Don Toliver
25:10 - Party trap version is next level
27:02 - Albums that have everything
27:45 - lyrics
31:23 - It will hurt his score to look at lyrics
31:40 - Cactus Jack as a label
32:44 - Artist discovery is hard
38:55 - What it means for his career
42:38 - The cover
45:09 - Going for the themes regardless if the music matches
46:15 - vinyl cop
47:24 - The score

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Don Toliver - Hardstone Psycho / 2024 / Trap, R&B, Drill, Sexy Drill

CLXXXI. Charli XCX | BRAT

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 21:30:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Charli XCX's sixth studio album 'BRAT', how the start of her career misaligned people's perception of her, Brat's distortion and her approaching Daft Punk and Playboi Carti levels of good repetitiveness.

Démar’s rating: 9 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: 360, 365, Von dutch, Mean girls, Everything is romantic, B2b

TIMECODES:

2:27 - The industry plant label
3:19 - Review of her career
9:55 - Demar, a fan of distortion
10:22 - Playboi Carti zone
11:32 - Talk Talk
13:20 - Adriel's Hudson Mohawke era
15:48 - Von Dutch
19:05 - Grime / breakdown / Stormzy
21:28 - Mean girls
25:20 - Respectfully, you’re a trash musician
26:46 - Progressions
27:16 - not going to get bored
27:42 - Her singing capability
29:26 - It is electronic music
26:59 - Lyrics
32:07 - Line between being deep and honest
33:00 - beard fishing
38:40 - How unique she is
39:50 - She’s an artist
40:08 - Repetition
41:43 - What it means for her career
43:58 - if you’re boom clap kind of person
45:37 - It's a Club album
46:11 - The cover
49:49 - The Scores

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Charli XCX - BRAT / 2024 / electronic, hyperpop, electropop

Drake's 'Wah Gwan Delilah' Remix is Silly and The-Dream is Nasty

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 22:30:04 +0000

Yes, "Wah Gwan Delilah" Remix really has Drake on the track, no, it's not a serious track. After Drake got demolished in his beef with Kendrick Lamar Demar and Adriel analyze why Drake released "Wah Gwan Delilah" now. Also, the hip hop continues its #Metoo moment as The-Dream is accused of rape and sexual battery in a new lawsuit.

TIMECODES:

2:07 Drake did it on purpose to cut the tension
3:32 This is him saying I am not accepting defeat
5:39 Could Drake drop a ‘Mob Ties’ right now?
7:31 Chance the Rapper comparison
10:12 Good move wrong time
12:25 The-Dream
18:02 Hip-hop me too

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CLXXX. Shaboozey | Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 21:15:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Shaboozey's third album 'Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going', it's constant conversation between country and hip hop and whether Shaboozey is a gimmick.

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Horses & Hellcats, A Bar Song (Tipsy), Drink Don't Need No Mix, Finally Over

TIMECODES:

1:39 - Movie soundtrack (spiderman)
4:44 - Hip-hop sensibilities in his music
06:28 - Horses and Hellcats lyrics
12:35 - Two things can be true
13:54 - Same soup, different mix
15:02 - Beyonce album helps?
19:40 - Démar couldn’t picture this outside of a hip-hop song
20:40 - Let it burn
21:00 - Is he a gimmick?
26:33 - Chanting
28:55 - His voice
31:24 - Adriel loves these kind of songs
34:58 - Isn't on the beat at all
36:28 - Noah Cyrus
39:09 - Favourite feature
41:33 - What does this album do for his career?
47:28 - Score

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Shaboozey - Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going / 2024 / country

CLXXIX. Vince Staples | Dark Times

Wed, 29 May 2024 22:15:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Vince Staples' sixth studio album 'Dark Times', its muted production and Vince Staples finally channeling his humour into his music.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Government Cheese, Étouffée, "Radio", Freeman, Black&Blue

P.S. Doesn't 'Shame On The Devil' sound like a Mac Demarco song? Or are we trippin'

TIMECODES:

2:40 - Old and new Vince Staples
3:43 - When sparks fly
4:34 - Favorite Vince Staples song
9:38 - In that space where everyone knows him but not his music
14:23 - Music before this album isn’t funny
16:15 - Nailaism that exists in this lifestyle
19:08 - The get you out the street rapper
20:40 - Getting leverage in his career
24:09 - The entanglement
25:57 - The outro on ‘Justin’
26:48 - The interludes
30:42 - One of those artists where his fans aren’t catching all the lyrics
31:55 - I don’t know what a Vince Staples sound is
33:43 - Could have lived on 5 different albums / Mac Demarco
34:40 - Singles
38:50 - Boring drums on 'Justin'
41:00 - It’s all one vibe
42:05 - One of the most unique careers
48:28 - Pop rap
51:44 - The cover
56:14 - Scores

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Vince Staples - Dark Times / 2024 / rap, gangsta rap, hip hop

Footage of Diddy's Abuse Surfaces and Diddy Drops a Distasteful Apology

Thu, 23 May 2024 20:16:40 +0000

Video has finally emerged showing some of the physical abuse Cassie has endured and Diddy thought an video apology was an appropriate response to that... You're only apologizing because the video is public, not for anything else...

TIMECODES:
00:16 - Intro
01:26 - The Sickening Video
04:10 - Diddy felt untouchable
06:09 - Why does this video still exist?
09:42 - Media Members defending Diddy
13:43 - Diddy involving his son
16:15 - The Oldheads in Hip-Hop
20:05 - Is J. Cole the only good guy left?
22:00 - Tyga & Kylie
24:42 - Will Jay-Z be next?

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CLXXVIII. Billie Eilish | HIT ME HARD AND SOFT

Wed, 22 May 2024 23:39:21 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Billie Eilish's third studio album 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT', Eilish's versatility accidentally causing her to make blander music and her ever-stellar songwriting.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: LUNCH, L'AMOUR DE MA VIE, THE DINER, BITTERSUITE, BLUE

2:07 First time hearing Billie
5:08 Happier than ever left Demar underwhelmed
7:05 What she said about the project and the title
7:53 Liking her popular songs
10:06 Skinny as the introduction
13:40 Not as many songs that are unique to her
15:43 Drake issue in reverse
18:35 Sounds like Costco music
23:02 Stunning when she gets more complex (autotune)
27:05 Jacking Missy Elliot’s style for years
30:02 Aligned with black music without working with black artists
31:41 Juice Wrld type of flow
36:46 Arlo Parks
39:52 A big part of her fans who are not here for the lyrics
44:09 Is Billie apologizing?
54:46 Relating to your sister putting her face in a vagina
58:02 The Coolest Girl in pop
1:00:57 The Cover
1:04:00 The Score

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Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft / 2024 / pop, alt-pop

DJ Akademiks is Getting Sued for Rape and Defamation, Plus What We've Been Spinning Lately

Wed, 15 May 2024 20:00:04 +0000

DJ Akademiks's fat is back in the fire after a string of hip hop sexual misconduct allegations that have been plaguing 2024. Ak is facing a new lawsuit accusing him of rape, sexual assault, and defamation by Fauziya “Ziya” Abashe for an alleged incident in 2022. The duo breakdown what it means for Ak and hip hop as sexual misconduct allegations continue to pile up against men in the industry. Then we talk about what we've been spinning lately and possible song of the summer candidates.

TIMECODES:
3:18 - Ak and a lot of venom for Rory
3:55 - Usually when Reddit is right about something it is not good
4:22 - He has some friends in the industry – embedded in the Drake camp
6:52 - These people exist in a sphere
7:25 - Who’s the type of artists is AK interviewing
9:10 - Perception online and people aren’t surprised
9:55 - AK had 69 on-call
11:05 - Hip-Hop is in a turbulent time / Mee Too
12:01 - See some light that women can feel safe in hip-hop
13:51 - What have you been listening to recently / cookout music
14:41 - Might delete later – J Cole played it right
19:03 - Still banging Yeat to this day
21:07 - Geo cities
22:03 - Might give a white man in hip-hop the number 1 album
22:40 - Albums you are excited for

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CLXXVII. Gunna | One of Wun

Wed, 15 May 2024 19:30:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Gunna's fifth studio album 'One of Wun', its surprisingly impressive production and Gunna never killing the vibe.

Démar’s rating: 3 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: hakuna matata, back in the a, whatsapp, one of wun

TIMECODES:

5:41 - Demar’s favourite Gunna song
8:30 - Very little hype around this album
9:45 - Is there another hit we can find
10:45 - Gunna is somehow getting better
12:00 - Title track - I understand why you like listening to it
12:50 - Production is the best part of the project
15:10 - Still bangs without knowing the words
16:34 - Cybernetic & aquatic
20:00 - Sonics he is miles ahead, in this genre lyrics is not the emphasis
22:00 - Nav level monotone - no emotion
23:27 - Not listening with the same “Ears”
25:16 - His music is not going to break up the vibe
25:33 - Fans also like on Spotify
27:30 - When it comes to his voice – black Nav
30:34 - Yeat & Gunna demo
31:54 - Favourite feature
32:15 - What happened to Roddy Rich
33:29 - Leon Bridges singing
35:45 - Gunna’s voice gets on Demar's nerves
37:19 - A singer but a rapper – Rod Wave
41:35 - Money don’t make me real that’s on my life"
42:35 - Mice is plural
44:53 - This fanbase doesn’t have the appetite for new sounds, new lyrics etc..
47:44 - The hooks are subpar
50:14 - Almost a No Skips
52:55 - The Cover
54:08 - The Scores

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Gunna - One of Wun / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap

Kendrick Lamar Obliterates Drake with Not Like Us

Thu, 09 May 2024 12:00:04 +0000

Kendrick Lamar has obliterated Drake in the beef with the hit diss song 'Not Like Us' with 'meet the grahams' to set it up. Drake had a chance in this beef but it look like that time is over and he's left to salvage what's left of his reputation. Adriel and Demar analyze how Kendrick dismantled Drake in the beef, whether the pyrrhic victory is worth it and if Drake is still too big to fail.

TIMECODES:

4:20 - Demar is always right
7:05 - Mistake with family matters (20v1)
9:10 - The Nuke didn't nuke
9:40 - New Ho king
11:48 -It’s almost as if Family matters didn’t happen
14:16 - Kendrick Lamar aims to represent Blackness on Not Like Us
16:00 - Women are the butt of the joke in this beef
17:15 - Do we need receipts?
19:40 - This beef is bad for Drake's corporate deals
23:00 - Drake did what he was supposed to do on Family Matters
25:56 - Kendrick's release schedule was brilliant
29:37 - Drake’s missed opportunity
31:52 - Kendrick gives Drake a history lesson in blackness
34:05 - The art of avoiding allegations / pyrrhic victory
34:40 - Cancelling is fake
37:55 - How Drake lost Black women in his fan base (The great hollowing)
42:52 - Ranking the songs in this battle
47:08 - Who won this battle?
47:57 - Shots fired at Drake’s home
50:58 - Is this the end for Drake?

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CLXXVI. 4batz | U Made Me a St4r

Thu, 09 May 2024 00:15:34 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss 4Batz's first mixtape 'U Made Me a St4r', Aaliyah's sound inspiring another R&B revival and whether 4Batz is just Brent Faiyaz with a mask on.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: act i: stickerz "99", act ii: date @ 8, act vi: made man, act v: there goes another vase, get out yo feelings ho

TIMECODES:

5:44 Do we need to see 4batz face?
10:25 OVO deal
13:12 2000’s R&B is making a comeback
14:57 Sounds more like real instruments
15:40 Innovations on Aaliyah's sound
21:35 How much can he really sing?
25:26 He is open to being at fault
30:30 23 minutes 11 songs
33:16 I’m the goofy one paying for your girl's hair
36:33 Hurt his first week numbers but helped him in the long run
37:49 The cover
40:21 Reminiscent of PARTYNEXTDOOR
42:45 The Scores

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4Batz - U Made Me a St4r / 2024 / R&B

Kendrick Lamar Fires Back at Drake with 'Euphoria' Diss Track

Wed, 01 May 2024 21:33:46 +0000

Kendrick Lamar has finally dropped his reply diss track to Drake, 'Euphoria' and it's everything we thought it'd be and more. Join us as we bask in the heat of Kenrick Lamar cooking Drake for 6 straight minutes.

TIMECODES:

0:15 - Intro
1:30 - Euphoria is officially out / The oven mitts are out
3:10 - Kendrick Lamar is up right now
3:50 - People catching strays
4:23 - Kendrick Lamar's approach
5:33 - Demar is everyone's opp
6:42 - Diving into the diss track / Kendrick Lamar's musical density
8:41 - Is replay value important?
11:30 -The internet is judging Kendrick Lamar
12:00 - His Toronto Accent
15:27 - How this beef will age over time
16:33 - Pre-Drake rap beef
18:00 - Kendrick is praising Drake
19:25 - Drake isn't tough or black enough?
22:12 - Taking shots at Drake's femininity
23:55 - ‘Euphoria’ is for the older crowd
29:18 - The cease & desist
31:25 - Is Drake a deadbeat dad?
34:15 - Demar is right again!
36:55 - Where does ‘Euphoria’ rank?
41:48 - Does Adriel actually like Kendrick Lamar?
46:05 - Are Kendrick’s bars too problematic?

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CLXXV. PARTYNEXTDOOR | PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)

Wed, 01 May 2024 21:32:54 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss PARTYNEXTDOOR's fourth studio album 'PARTYNEXTDOOR 4', circling back on his sound and whether he's the forefather of toxic R&B.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Cheers, Stuck In My Ways, Make It To The Morning

TIMECODES:

3:07 - Favorite from the PND series
6:54 - Cheers single
8:57 - Album for the hardcore fans
9:17 - Control intro
12:03 - Image that is a part of their music
14:18 - Same beat as Lose My Mind
17:33 - The production can be soft but the drums hit heavy
19:30 - Who does his sound as good as him
21:01 - Everything that he is doing- there are multiple different versions now
24:18 - Feel stuck in in time to me (Demar)
26:29 - Listening to part 12 hrs straight
28:00 - That’s Crazy
30:00 - Spelling things out like he hasn’t before
31:05 - Weird convo to have at 30yrs old
32:44 - Seems like he couldn’t care less - detached
33:50 - DMX interpolation
35:48 - Breaks the song, the melody doesn’t make sense
38:35 - What it means for his career
41:06 - The Cover
46:10 - Score

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PARTYNEXTDOOR - PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4) / 2024 / R&B

Is Drake's AI 'Taylor Made Freestyle' Wack? And the Quavo vs. Chris Brown Beef Undercard

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 01:16:39 +0000

Drake's AI diss track 'Taylor Made Freestyle' is out but is it in good taste? We're talking about beef but are there some technological lines that you just don't cross? Also, Chris Brown and Quavo are beefing and its gone to blows over diss tracks. We're here breaking it down and laughing at the absurdity.

TIMECODES:

1:56 - Drake AI
3:30 - Taunting Kendrick Lamar
3:50 - One of the largest artists in the music using AI
4:08 - Using Tupac’s voice
6:28 - Demar thinks it’s wack
7:44 - Even Kendrick fans say he has to drop soon
9:44 - can’t have 3 weeks between every record
12:58 - Drake's strategy
15:56 - Rumour of Drake having a bomb
16:44 - Kanye jumping in
18:15 - Drake is Jewish
19:03 - Kanye has to save hip-hop
20:18 - This 20 v 1 builds up Drake’s legacy
21:38 - The undercard
21:53 - Demar is giving Trump
22:22 - Why now?
23:46 - CB raps better than Quavo
24:26 - Quavo is not good enough to make a diss track
26:09 - Triplet flow - only flow
33:28 - CB vs Quavo who’s a better rapper
35:16 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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CLXXIV. Taylor Swift | The Tortured Poets Department

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:34:57 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Taylor Swift's 11th studio album 'The Tortured Poets Department', the boring production, Taylor's hyper-literal lyrics and her minimal singing range.

Démar’s rating: 3 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 3 / 10

The Love List: Florida!!!, I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can), thanK you aIMee, I Look in People's Windows

TIMECODES:

2:10 - Drake should write for Taylor
3:28 - Previous scores
6:27 - Competent group
7:44 - No single
8:16 - Shrinking the world
9:46 - Slow album
12:09 - So boring Demar had to stop listening
14:20 - Carly Rae Jepsen copycat
16:11 - Swearing all over this album
16:33 - Hyper pop sound
19:27 - There are Some good tracks but not enough
20:05 - If Taylor was on Cowboy Carter
24:11 - Florida
28:22 - The smallest man that’s ever lived
31:45 - Didn’t even try to keep me in / pathetic
36:20 - Delulu algorithm
36:47 - Never cried at the gym
38:50 - Always the victim
41:08 - Mellow dramatic
43:58 - Cringe lyrics
45:16 - Kendrick of pop music
46:20 - Why is she not cancelled - worst lyrics
47:43 - Try to find a way to say in real life
49:12 - Taylor gets a pass for being bitter
50:46 - Did Travis Kelce listen to this album
1:00:46 - The cover
1:05:41 - The Scores

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Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department / 2024 / pop, folk

Drake Responds to Kendrick Lamar Emphatically with 'Push ups'

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:30 +0000

Drake has responded to Kendrick Lamar in emphatic fashion with his unofficial track 'Push Ups (Drop & Give Me 50)'. We breakdown the lyrics and really discuss if this beef is winnable for anyone involved.

TIMECODES:
0:17 - Intro
3:54 - Thinking Drake's diss is AI
5:56 - What's Beef sample?
7:46 - Kendrick is at a disadvantage
8:47 - Contract discussions
9:46 - Distract lyric breakdown
12:36 - When is the Kendrick track dropping?
15:20 - Drake's writing speed
18:19 - Did Kendrick expect Drake to reply?
19:45 - Adriel is worried for Kendrick
20:29 - What does it take to win a beef?
23:34 - What happens if Drake beats Kendrick Lamar in a beef?
27:04 - The Drake-French Montana cease and desist
28:30 - More Drake lyrical breakdown
30:30 - What would've happened if J.Cole didn't back out of the beef?
31:49 - Kendrick is on his own, how is he going to handle the beef now?
32:23 - How many songs do you think the beef will go?

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CLXXIII. Future & Metro Boomin | WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:23:06 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Future and Metro Boomin's collaborative album 'We Still Don't Trust You', Future's strained vocals and Future being one of the rappers with minimal skill at rapping.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: We Still Don't Trust, Nights Like This, Nobody Knows My Struggle, Crossed Out, Red Leather

TIMECODES:

1:54 - First album was the single for the 2nd album
2:52 - Future establishing himself as an album artist
6:54 - This is what we have been begging Drake to do
09:34 - Future got the Weeknd pack
11:24 - Who told you?
11:57 - After Hours style of production
13:02 - Brad Pit comparison
13:33 - Set the tone/cooking with gas
15:14 - Drink and dance … why?
17:34 - Black hole on your Spotify
20:36 - Love bad bitches (different artists you could see on this)
23:37 - I Don’t know if Future is making fun of Drake on this track
25:03 - Gracious is a Ty Dolla $ign song
29:09 - Here is what you get for listening to the first half
30:52 - Future talk that talk …Leader in toxic masculinity
32:33 - Future meme
36:32 - He’s using the wrong part of his body
37:10 - Young Thug before the autotune
38:01 - Future can’t get into a beef with his lyrics
38:33 - MVP of being the most minor skill at rapping
44:15 - The Cover
47:40 - Scores

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Future & Metro Boomin - We Still Don't Trust You / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap

CLXXII. J. Cole | Might Delete Later

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:08:48 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss J. Cole's surprise mixtape 'Might Delete Later', his Kendrick Lamar diss, his apology to Kendrick Lamar and how he's destroyed the bravado in his music.

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: H.Y.B., Stealth Mode, Stickz N Stonez, Pricey

TIMECODES:

2:25 Surprise drop
3:54 Demar was in bed
5:40 Pre-apology J. Cole
10:07 The music sounds different and hollow
11:40 People not living their rhymes
12:25 Connecting his first song with his last song
14:58 Apologizing is not hip-hop
15:42 Drake the shop comparison
21:54 The freedom for people not to like specific albums
24:10 You don’t have to reply, but do it anyways
27:13 Too much triplet flow
27:53 Pi features
30:25 Trans bars
33:40 The production Adriel wanted a while ago
37:00 Adriel can feel the labels looking for a Central Cee single
39:00 Fever is the Born Sinner J. Cole
41:42 We heard this song on Born Sinner
44:04 Huntin Wabbitz
45:40 Great use of a vocal sample
47:15 The mixtape is Cohesiveish
49:41 The Cover
51:28 Worth getting the Vinyl?
54:54 How will the apology age?
1:01:20 Scores

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J. Cole - Might Delete Later / 2024 / Rap, Hip Hop

Who Should Replace J. Cole in the Big 3?

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 23:10:15 +0000

Since we've determined that J. Cole is no longer in the big three because of his apology Démar and Adriel take stock of artists that can replace him in the rap hierarchy. Also the duo do a little bit of recap on Bryson Tiller's latest album 'Bryson Tiller' and Doja Cat's deluxe ‘Scarlet 2: Claude’

TIMECODES:
1:12 Bryson Tiller ‘The Man Who Made Trapsoul’
8:20 Doja Cat
15:05 Deciding the future of Hip-Hop
16:19 Yeat
18:00 Playboi Carti
21:27 Tyler The Creator
24:37 Doja Cat
26:33 Travis Scott
27:50 Future
30:09 Nicki Minaj
33:42 Is Nicki Minaj ahead of J. Cole?

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Best Albums of Q1 2024 and Lizzo Isn't Quitting Music

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:32:35 +0000

We're a quarter through the calendar, so it's time for Démar and Adriel to go over their favourite albums so far this year. Also Lizzo quit music and then unquit music. Grand opening, grand closing.

TIMECODES:

00:39 Lizzo’s ‘Retirement’
04:48 Yeat | 2093
05:54 The Last Dinner Party | Prelude to Ecstasy
07:45 Flo Milli | Fine Ho, Stay
09:27 Future & Metro Boomin | WE DON’T TRUST YOU
11:00 Tyla | Tyla
15:19 Illit | Super Real Me
16:36 SiR | Heavy1
17:24 Schoolboy Q | Blue Lips
19:20 Ghetts | On Purpose, With Purpose
20:52 Little Simz | Drop 7

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CLXXI. Beyoncé | Cowboy Carter

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:34:54 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Beyoncé's eighth studio album 'Cowboy Carter', pandering to white people and her approaching Michael Jackson status.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: BODYGUARD, YA YA, RIIVERDANCE, II MOST WANTED, LEVII'S JEANS

TIMECODES:

4:32 - A teenager in 2024 listening to Beyonce for the first time
5:29 - Features we haven’t heard before
5:59 - Miley feature
7:35 - Bodyguard 11:00 River dance as a single
12:40 - Is 27 songs too many?
14:54 - Hootenanny or Hoedown?
17:51 - The Eagle
22:39 - It’s too evident to the people it's being catered to
32:14 - Destiny’s Child vs. Sum 41
37:44 - Jolene
46:48 - What’s left for her to do
48:23 - The cover / who is Beyonce voting for
56:00 - The Scores

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Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter / 2024 / country

Taking Sides in the Drake-Kendrick Lamar Beef and Homeland Security Does Diddy

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:18:42 +0000

Sean 'Diddy' Combs just got his houses in LA and Miami raided by Homeland Security, does that mean he's done for? Also Demar and Adriel take sides in the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, ranking the so-called 'Big 3'.

TIMECODES:
00:50 Diddy’s House gets Raided
6:50 Diddy is going down
12:12 Kendrick Lamar shoots at Drake
18:18 Remembering 2013 Hip-Hop Twitter
24:20 Kendrick Lamar is more critically acclaimed
32:44 GKMC is integral to Hip-Hop
37:47 Is Drake more Wilt or LeBron?
41:00 Drake’s omniscient influence
41:53 Drake is like FRIENDS

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CLXX. Future & Metro Boomin | WE DON'T TRUST YOU

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 02:25:01 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Future and Metro Boomin's collaborative album 'We Don't Trust You', Metro Boomin being a top 10 producer in hip hop history and Kendrick Lamar's instant classic diss verse on 'Like That'.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Like That, Type Shit, Claustrophobic, WTFYM, Cinderella

TIMECODES:

3:42 Past reviews/collaborations
9:10 2 Intros?
12:07 Future is versatile
14:21 Future’s music can get repetitive
15:34 Everyday hustle – hear all the sounds Future wouldn’t do on his own
17:11 Teazo Touchdown
17:55 Cinderella
19:36 Travis Scott's appearance is a beat switch
22:10 Magic Don Juan
23:14 There is a running out of time on every project
23:42 Future has 50 hits
24:19 Metro loves a good chime
25:20 The hook for Magic Don Juan doesn’t rhyme
29:19 Future’s ability to use slang - if you don’t know, it's like a different language
30:14 Carti voice
31:20 People in hip-hop like to flex – the way that Future frames it
32:48 You can still flex but find a different way to say it
33:39 Best feature
39:32 Reminiscent of B2B
42:29 Prince / MJ comparison
48:19 Most memorable snippet
53:17 Scores

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Future & Metro Boomin - We Don't Trust You / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap

The U.S. Government Wants to Ban TikTok and Vybz Kartel Wins His Murder Conviction Appeal

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:09:15 +0000

The US government wants to ban TikTok or at least have an American company own, what does that mean for music creation and discover? Demar and Adriel break it down. Vybz Kartel, the Jamaican Drake, just won his murder conviction appeal but that doesn't necessarily mean he's getting out. The duo talk about what it means if he does.

P.S. Chinese national security laws require that all Chinese companies acquiesce to Beijing’s demands for intelligence. The Chinese government also has a stake and a board seat in Byte Dance.

TIMECODES:
00:45 Potential TikTok Ban
13:40 New Social Media Home
16:08 Free Vybz Kartel

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CLXIX. Justin Timberlake | Everything I Thought It Was

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 23:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Justin Timberlake's sixth studio album, whether we should care about his music anymore and if the rest of music has lapped him creatively.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: Technicolor, Sanctified, Flame

TIMECODES:

4:50 - Similar to the 3-point shot
8:00 - Démar loves all women
9:35 - The direction of the slower singles
10:00 - JT fell to the wayside for Démar
14:50 - Fucking up the disco missing juice
15:25 - Upbeat tracks don’t hit anymore, slower songs hit harder now
15:51 - Dua Lipa comparison
17:55 - Pioneer of the modern beat switch
20:05 - His music is too clean
23:32 - Calvin gave JT the light pack
26:14 - Adriel realized JT lost his sauce on song one
26:49 - The outro on ‘Play’
27:34 - Démar felt gross
28:23 - That’s not how dudes speak currently
31:05 - CHAT GPT written album
34:13 - NSYNC opening for JT
36:39 - One big meeting with the pop stars
40:24 - Scores

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Justin Timberlake - Everything I Thought It was / 2024 / pop, R&B, pop R&B

CLXVIII. Flo Milli | Fine Ho, Stay

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:00:04 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Flo Millis second studio album, her playful yet gritty songs and the art of the remix.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Never Lose Me (every version), Edible, Can't Stay Mad, Life Hack, Understand

TIMECODES:

2:43 - Flo Mili fans around Adriel’s orbit
6:23 - Bryson Tiller has the best verse on Never Lose Me
6:55 - 3rd version of the song, and it’s the best version of the song
7:10 - Not Losing the soul of the song
9:04 - Demar says the Gunna feature is the best - Alert the press
16:08 - It's giving Legend of Zelda – Prod A1
18:26 - The hit song is the production song
19:20 - Shout out to Juicy – iconic drop
22:10 - Not Doja Cat, just one step below
22:25 - Lyrics
23:50 - Can every single person relate to that?
24:08 - Anyone can get it
25:25 - Almost making fun of you / almost letting go of the anger
26:55 - Just because it’s different clothes doesn’t mean it's different lyrics
28:00 - Flo Milli is a woman who knows what she wants / can throw hands
28:45 - using the ad-lib as part of the rhyme scheme
32:08 - The hooks are really good
35:14 - Big difference between I want to fight somebody and shoot somebody
38:14 - Scores

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Flo Milli - Fine Ho, Stay / 2024 / hip hop, pop, rap

James Blake and Kanye West Are at War with Spotify

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 17:06:15 +0000

James Blake and Kanye West are on a rampage. Blake has joined the choir of artists to denounce Spotify and lament the streaming ecosystem, saying it doesn't pay enough and that listeners have been brainwashed into thinking music is free. Kanye is thinking of putting Vulture 2 out but not on streaming. Demar and Andriel break it down and wonder if it's even possible to escape streaming today.

TIMECODES:

00:50 James Blake's Twitter rant
2:52 Adriel silencing women
8:53 CD era
10:12 Right message, wrong messenger – unionizing
12:14 Streaming without a subscription
16:35 Kanye solution
19:55 Reflecting on Music Consumption Evolution and the Challenges Ahead

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CLXVII. Ariana Grande | Eternal Sunshine

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 16:50:48 +0000

This week, Démar and Adriel discuss Ariana Grande's seventh studio album, 'Eternal Sunshine', her competency but lack of risk-taking and her influences bleeding through all of her songs.

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5 / 10

The Love List: eternal sunshine, the boy is mine, don't wanna break up again

TIMECODES:

3:42 Made for a group class of elderly’s
4:01 GTA music
4:38 Harry Styles comparison
6:02 Never dropping a bad song, but jumping up takes a risk
6:34 The boy is mine
10:20 What new R&B sounds like vs 06-09 R&B
11:24 Climbing strings
12:19 Type beats
12:51 Production ruined some of her vocals
15:03 Aaliyah influence
20:04 Majid Jordan comp
23:54 Not cohesive
25:33 Competency on all these songs
25:56 Lyrics
31:58 Are you getting an apology
34:07 She hit Demar in the feels
37:57 Compliment Demars hands
39:56 Demar breaks down the graphic line with a high-pitched voice
44:05 This album is a dud in her catalogue
48:59 Cover
53:08 Score

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Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine / 2024 / pop, R&B, pop R&B

Lil Rod Presents New Diddy Allegations and Meek Mill is the Butt of the Joke

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 23:28:22 +0000

A second person has come forward against Diddy with accusations of sexual assault, illicit behavior Demar and Adriel give their thoughts about the whole ordeal. Also, Meek Mill is somehow the butt of the joke despite Diddy's alleged acts, the duo tackle the news.

TIMECODES:

1:30 Lil Rod accused Diddy of assault
3:25 Twitter jokes
3:47 Adriel reading tweets / AK
6:44 Meek Mill has been embarrassing himself on the internet for 5 years
8:01 People don’t actually care
10:10 Cosby comparison
12:00 At this level people will wait and see
15:04 gangster and bisexual

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CLXVI. Schoolboy Q | Blue Lips

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:05:50 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Schoolboy Q's sixth album, 'Blue Lips', his status as a blog era legend and his adoption of jazz into his dark, muddy sound.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Pop, Blueslides, Cooties, oHio, Movie, Lost Times

TIMECODES:

1:10 - TDE inverted
03:09 - Crash Talk
03:38 - Demar didn’t get Schoolboy Q
06:57 - Collard Greens
10:34 - Legend of the Blog era
12:03 - Demar's favourite Schoolboy Q song..
13:00 - Groovy Tony
15:02 - No loops/stand-out production
17:52 - Pop into Thank for 4 me
22:32 - Blueslides shows his rapping ability - rhyme and poetry
23:57 - Best Features
24:46 - Larry June type beat
33:10 - Tempo of this album
34:14 - First (Demar knows what Schoolboy Q fans like)
35:37 - Demar really wasn’t there
36:50 - Schoolboy Q has lines for the hood that are at another level
39:50 - Best of his era?
42:58 - First is a banger
47:20 - movie
48:56 - When was the last time you heard someone call someone a 5-star chick
50:18 - He is doing a number on a lot of people
51: 40 - Demar giving the women his shine … Rico on pop
56:46 - The Cover
59:33 - The Scores

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Schoolboy Q - Blue Lips / 2024 / rap, jazz, hip hop

Yeat is the SGA of Hip Hop, Rappers vs NBA Players Part 2

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 20:30:42 +0000

Because Adriel shut him down in the past, Démar is doubling down on his Yeat-SGA take while also drawing some other comparisons between the hip hop world and the NBA. It's a fun one, strap in

P.S. This was recorded before the additional Diddy allegations. That episode will be dropping on Wednesday

TIMECODES:

0:45 All-star weekend
02:42 - SGA is higher than Yeat
05:15 - Lil Baby is D Rose
07:04 - I think that’s worse …
8:30 - Does towns have a ‘My Turn’?
13:30 - People who listen to Tyler now were not fans when Tyler dropped Wolf
15:46 - Rod Wave
18:53 - Benny & Dame
20:04 - Demar DeRozan
23:03 - Eminem & Westbrook in negative connotation
25:16 - Luka & NBAyoungboy
29:04 - Embiid losing to Trey Young is not the same

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CLXV. MGMT | Loss of Life

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss MGMT's first album in 6 years, 'Loss of Life', the maturation of their listeners and it's pump fake in production. Also, is it possible for a song to be both properly written and underwritten?

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: People In The Street, Bubblegum Dog, Nothing To Declare, Phradie's Song, I Wish I Was Joking

P.S. I know it's Phradie's song not Phardie's song, I misspoke the first time I mentioned it T_T

TIMECODES:

01:57 - Song more popular than the band
05:28 - This era doesn’t exist anymore
06:44 - Adriel is a big Chiddy Bang fan
09:18 - Bubblegum Dog?
14:51 - Album is for an actual music fan, not the casual
19:01 - Whole new band if you haven’t listened since 2007
21:09 - Defeatist
27:53 - Not a lot of range / same pocket
28:39 - The singing is not spectacular
30:18 - Bubblegum dog
33:49 - Lyrics getting a little bit dicey
34:34 - Almost underwritten
39:17 - It’s giving Costco / coffee shop
40:38 - Demar loves a good nursery rhyme
44:11 - Thought we were entering the spaceship
47:11 - The cover
49:51 - Scores

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Yeat - 2093 / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap, rage, glitch hop,

CLXIV. Yeat | 2093

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 01:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Yeat's fourth studio album '2093', its novel cyberpunk aesthetic and whether he's jumped ahead of Travis Scott and Playboi Carti.

Démar’s rating: 9.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: Psycho CEO, Shade, ILUV, As We Speak, Power Trip, Stand On It

P.S. I'm not backing down from my score, I'll see y'all in 2025 when you agree with me, as usual - D. Also Team CEO sounds like a Hotline Miami song.

TIMECODES:

4:10 - For Yeat it found him early (sorry about that)
5:34 - The Album is long
6:32 - Best feature?
8:15 - He’s white
9:17 - Adriel can’t listen to Yeat for 4hrs
11:20 - Lil Wayne’s whiny voice
13:22 - Yeat making an incredible song
16:40 - How much better Future's flow is at a different level - Pluto we need you
19:02 - The album is going to be synced like crazy
22:05 - Which synth pack did this come from?
23:07 - Can you turn down the machine a bit?
27:42 - The production is the star
28:25 - If you like lyrics you won’t get into this album
30:32 - This is for the young folks
31:02 - Drake is tapped in with whoever is next
39:39 - Where can I submit my application to be Yeat’s butler?
41:34 - The static on his vocals
47:33 - Yeat jumped over Travis Scott
52:25 - Has Yeat passed Carti?
57:22 - The cover
01:01 - The Scores
1:03:11 - Demar is diverse in his top albums of the year currently

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Yeat - 2093 / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap, rage, glitch hop,

Usher Super Bowl Halftime Reactions and Predictions Plus Little Simz's New EP 'Drop 7'

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 23:25:57 +0000

Demar and Adriel react to the Super Bowl halftime show, reminisce on the best Super Bowl in history and who should do the next one. Taylor Swift is probably gonna be in the building for the next one so... I guess it's an easy call to make? Maybe even Drake?

The duo also talk about Little Simz's latest EP 'Drop 7' and albums their looking forward to coming this year.

TIMECODES:

04:23 - There is dancing then there is dancing
6:23 - Demar is on a different algorithm
09:01 - Give Adriel the R&B Usher
12:40 - Alicia keys entrance

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CLXIII. Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign | Vultures 1

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:00:01 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's collab album 'Vultures 1', whether its possible to divorce the art from the artist and how Kanye became deadweight on his own album.

Démar’s rating: 2.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 4 / 10

The Love List: BURN, FUCK SUMN, VULTURES

P.S. For new Album Mode listeners, the NBA Youngboy zone is when we no longer review an artist's music. For Youngboy in particular it's because his music has been so bad for so long, despite his popularity, we stopped reviewing it. Other artists in the Youngboy zone include: Nav.

TIMECODES:

04:04 - Is anyone else reviewing this?
05:57 - Person who says “I” in his raps
08:35 - Backstreet Boys sample cleared
09:02 - Jason mask removed
10:13 - NBAYoungboy zone
11:16 - Label & streaming gymnastics
11:48 - Kanye is the worst part of this album
16:25 - Demo vibes
17:08 - No accountability from Kanye
17:48 - Taylor is up right now / won a Super Bowl
23:54 - Has Kanye ever apologized?
29:07 - Public perception has never been a part of Kanye’s world
31:57 - Waiting for Freddie Gibbs
35:00 - Hoodrat is trash
35:58 - Every time Kanye raps it gets worse
40:05 - Demar is not a Chris Brown fan
45:28 - Is Sheck Wes getting a bag?
50:25 - The Cover
52:10 - No drawers no socks
59:55 - The Scores

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Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign ¥$ - Vultures 1 / 2024 / hip hop, rap, trap,

2024 Grammys Recap, Reaction and TikTok Breaks Up with UMG

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:00:02 +0000

Demar and Adriel recap the Grammys and breakdown why the award continues to lose relevance. Also the duo catch up on the TikTok and UMG negotiation breakdown, independent artists are up!

P.S. Hard times for Drew Walls and his content with the UMG negotiations, keep him in your prayers

TIMECODES:

0:58 - Grammys who cares
8:10 - Rod Wave should be considered a mainstream artist
9:58 - Understanding Drake and The Weeknd frustrations
11:16 - Never nominating anything off after hours
12:52 - They don't understand people that who win the awards are saying your award sucks
14:19 - Someone's auntie that smokes cigarettes
14:54 - Ludacris story and JT
15:21 - Aligning yourself with blackness as a white artist vs doing the opposite
17:45 - Billie Eyelish case study
18:48 - Tik-tok UMG
26:49 - Schoolboy Q

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CLXII. The Last Dinner Party | Prelude to Ecstasy

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 13:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss The Last Dinner Party's debut studio album 'Prelude to Ecstasy', their tug of war between sexuality and religion and their industry plant allegations.

Démar’s rating: 9 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Sinner, Burn Alive, Prelude To Ecstasy, The Feminine Urge, Nothing Matters

TIMECODES:

2:39 - Just a band
4:03 - Industry plant allegations
7:40 - Hip-Hop DIY
11:37 - Grade 10 band nostalgia
16:46 - Rock beat switch
19:40 - Sinner
23:14 - Mirror is 2012 Lana Del Rey
28:16 - Heaviest song
31:05 - This girl band thing
35:30 - This Album is mad gay
43:43 - Odd love song
52:44 - Theatrical without being cheesy
58:00 - Scores

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The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy / 2024 / rock, indie rock, glam rock

Megan Thee Stallion Triggers Nicki Minaj Into Dropping The Worst Diss Track of Her Career

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:15:03 +0000

We've got beef again! Nicki Minaj is livid over a few sneak disses from Megan Thee Stallion in her single 'Hiss'... In response she dropped 'Big Foot' and it's one of the worst diss track in hip hop history. Let's discuss.

TIMECODES:

1:00 Don’t know if it’s real beef
5:50 Demar needs to cut this part (finding info)
7:05 People are selective on what lines get a rise out of people
7:42 Big Foot
12:12 Nikki made it about Nikki
14:09 Can Nikki recover from this
15:50 S he took an L
20:28 Sympathetic shit goes out the window
23:10 Meg has to drop an album next

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CLXI. Benny the Butcher | Everybody Cant Go

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:00:19 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Benny the Butcher's fourth studio album 'Everybody Can't Go', building a bridge between mainstream and underground production and leveling up as an artist.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8.5 / 10

The Love List: Jermaine's Graduation, BRON, How To Rap, One Foot In,

TIMECODES:

1:30 - Demar can’t stand Westside Gunn's voice
3:22 - 2000’s style coming back
5:31 - Why he’s a legend
7:01 - Adriel’s a Benny fan
8:00 - Best Features
12:38 - 2008 single
13:18 - Limewire type beat
18:30 - Space for real drums
21:12 - It’s still Benny
23:27 - Taylor x Benny
25:16 - Snoop Dogg breaks the song
29:10 - Lyrics
32:07 - Very aware of his Legacy
33:54 - The mp3 bar
40:44 - Comparing Benny to Nas
41:46 - We like artists who continue to grow
44:08 - Cover
50:06 - Haven’t stood outside of a building doing nothing long enough

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Benny the Butcher - Everybody Can't Go / 2024 / rap, hip hop, old-school hip hop

Mos Def's Drake Problem and Playboi Carti's Singles Lowkey Kinda Suck

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 01:44:51 +0000

We've somehow come full circle in Drake's career and old heads are calling him "not hip hop" again. This time is Yasiin Bey / Mos Def who can't grasp versitility. Also, are Playboi Carti's new singles just 2015 Future knock offs? The duo breakdown and respond to the discourse.

*NOTE*: This episode was recorded before Pitchfork's layoffs were announced or there'd be a lengthy conversation. Pitchfork is one of the main inspirations for Album Mode and we love the work they do there. Our best wishes go out to those who have been let go land on their feet. .

TIMECODES:

2:30 - Back at the beginning of Drake’s career / full circle moment
4:55 - Hip-hop becoming commercial is something people would push back against
6:55 - A lot of people commenting have not listened to Mos Def
11:05 - That is the sound Drake comes from
12:24 - Drake popularized singing and rapping
13:57 - Drake is like friends
16:50 - Think he’s jealous?
18:07 - Playboi Carti
20:50 - Satanic music has existed
30:44 - Janet Jackson going on tour
35:14 - Ringtone rap era

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CLX. 21 Savage | American Dream

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 21:09:24 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss 21 Savage's third solo album 'American Dream', his constant improvement and how he's finally found a way to incorporate his love for R&B in his music.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: all of me, n.h.i.e., prove it, dark days

TIMECODES:

6:30 the trailer
9:20 21 being born in Uk
10:50 collaboration projects
15:08 favourite 21 song
17:00 the duality of 21s style/character (big bad wolf)
19:30 there’s more behind the murder
20:00 things get lonely too
21:15 how you know someone is a 21 savage fan
24:10 growth period / most improved in Hip-hop
26:15 Clay comparison
26:40 Vince staples
27:55 young thug never saw a flow he couldn’t do
32:20 names under him
35:00 21 savage on a uk drill beat
36:20 Jamaicans are the common denominator
37:10 not as explosive
40:00 why are we redoing 2016 trap future
43:39 like a WWE entrance
46:59 where is the drake feature
51:00a lot of different elements happening
53:00 the cover
1:00:39 you live with the fact you are not the singer

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21 Savage - American Dream / 2024 / rap, hip hop, R&B

The Top 10 Songs of 2023

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 21:44:36 +0000

In the era of TikTok songs and sporatic singles you know we had to give our top 10 singles of 2023 2023. Adriel and Démar list their best singles of the year and come to realize there's a difference between music listeners who are 'outside' versus 'inside' it's a weird discovery, so strap in for the last pod of the year.

P.S. If Boy's a Liar isn't in your top 10 we need to have a serious conversation...

TIMECODES:

2:50 - #10’s
5:58 - She is doing something with the sample
7:12 - #9’s
9:43 - Demar showing love to Demar
10:20 - #8’s
10:40 - What has Jermaine Dupri been up to
15:30 - #7’s
19:50 - Learning about Jungle from Tik-Tok
20:20 - #6’s
26:38 - Demar is a potential guy
27:33 - #5’s
29:41 - “You Broke My Heart” will be on the setlist
32:16 - #4’s
32:43 - Beef with J Cole
33:52 - #3’s
34:29 - It’s like the inside of a club
36:58 - Song kills the vibe, this is the only song like this
39:35 - #2’s
41:20 - OMG was Demar’s gateway drug
42:20 - Singing in Korean & English
43:02 - #1’s
48:05 - Inside vs outside
56:22 - Playboi Carti is back

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The Top 10 Albums of 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 23:29:48 +0000

Finally the episode you've all been waiting for, the top 10 albums of 2023. Adriel and Démar list their best albums of the year and hand out some supperlatives to cap off 2023. There's some surprises in both lists so strap in for our year-ender.

TIMECODES:
2:46 - #10’s
6:50 - #9’s
7:00 - Jessie Ware is the Jimmy Butler of music
10:05 - Demar has been saying Yeat's name for years
12:03 - #8’s
19:23 - Tame Impala since currents
19:45 - #7’s
20:32 - Avril Lavine vs Taylor Swift for Olivia Rodrigo
27:18 - #6’s
27:30 - We're surprised Paramore was still this good
34:00 - Burna Boy, Grammy-nominated in the hip-hop category
34:18 - #5’s
38:19 - Do you think Doja Cat can get here?
43:47 - #4’s
46:45 - Sounds like the music women in Adriel’s spin class would like
49:12 - We're in a hip hop recession
49:50 - #3’s
55:19 - #2’s, Adriel and Demar are aligned
59:13 - #1’s
59:24 - Demar revises his score 👀
1:04:20 - Adriel is blinded by fandom
1:11:13 - Our favourite EPs
1:12:00 - Boygenius
1:13:50 - The Grammy's new favourite white woman
1:16:30 - Most Underrated album
1:18:50 - Most Surprising Album

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CLIX. Nicki Minaj | Pink Friday 2

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 23:50:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the sequel to Nicki Minaj's influential debut album, Pink Friday 2 and scourge of lazy samples in modern hip hop.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: RNB, Everybody, Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Pink Birthday, Cowgirl

TIMECODES:

3:20 - Women in hip-hop
3:52 - Nicki top 50?
5:09 - Popstar Nicki
6:50 - Monster
8:04 - Good Friday’s
12:25 - Demar likes 'Super Bass'
18:33 - Barbie Dangerous
23:30 - Sampling
26:45 - 808’s
29:45 - Waste of a feature
32:22 - Didn’t see a Gospel song coming on this project
35:29 - Could see Doja cat saying no to this
37:14 - Dudes vs women when they rap about sex
41:05 - Clever funny raps
43:19 - Imagery on ‘Pink Birthday’
49:55 - Lyrical duds
50:50 - Song shouldn’t have had a chorus
52:24 ‘- Everybody’ is the one
55:30 - A huge ‘Everybody’ Remix
1:10:30 - The Score

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Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday 2 / 2023 / rap, hip hop, reggae, dancehall, pop

Top 5 Music Storylines of 2023

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 22:23:53 +0000

The Music year is nearly over so Demar and Adriel recap their favourite stories. Taylor Swift, Diddy, DJ Envy, Tory Lanez all included and Frank Ocean catches another stray.

TIMECODES:

4:55 - Redefining what success is
9:37 - A lot of it is noise
12:15 - We have the same 3 / DJ Envy
15:50 - Breakfast Club documentary (we gotta do it now)
17:23 - DJ Envy is going to be fine
18:30 - 2000s mindset
19:58 - Frank Ocean doubles down
23:30 - They’re delusional
24:34 - Jay-Z treatment
28:50 - P. Diddy
37:14 - Hip-hop is a don’t ask don’t tell type of culture
41:45 - Tory Lanez
46:20 - Biggest bag fumble
52:40 - Between Tory & Milli Vanilli
55:35 - Silence is an option
58:45 - The idol

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Diddy's Heinous Allegations, Megan Thee Stallion + Pardi's Beef and Andre 3000's Drops a New Album

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 22:33:20 +0000

Cassie had Diddy up on allegations on until the settlement, watch Demar and Adriel give their thoughts about the whole ordeal. Also Pardison Fontaine and Megan Thee Stallion are beefing, what else is new? Andre 3000's latest album! Adriel gives his thoughts on the hip hop legend's woodwind project.

P.S. If what Cassie said is true, Diddy is a cuck right? I mean according to the text...

TIMECODES:

0:57 - Diddy
5:45 - Who’s going to be the first person to speak out and cancel Diddy
6:30 - Diddy is praying the media cycle is over
8:20 - MJ or R.Kelly treatment
8:55 - Future being alone with Diddy
10:45 - Freak nik situation (Diddy is a cuck)
13:27 - Megan Thee stallion
16:30 - Going for the shame
17:18 - So insecure
24:20 - Chillin?
25:48 - Andre 3000
27:43 - Names of the songs sound like it could have been a rap album
29:30 - Andre playing flutes under an Alias
31:46 - Frank Ocean comparison
34:00 - Frank new music rumour
34:57 - Demar done with Frank (Demar thinks he’s lame / sucks ass)
36:00 - One of the few artists left with any mystique
39:19 - What is cool about Frank Ocean
40:00 - No one is cool and mysterious but you just don’t know them

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CLVIII. Drake | For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition (Scary Hours 3)

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 22:30:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Drake's deluxe album 'For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition', his exhibition as a lyricist and his unique way of dissing anyone and everyone at the same time.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

*NO SKIPS*

The Love List: Red Button, Stories About My Brother, The Shoe Fits, Wick Man, Evil Ways, You Broke My Heart

P.S. Joe Budden was right.

Some of Drake's best one liners:

- Taylor Swift the only nigga that I ever rated
- It's like he playin' EDM, that nigga a chain smoker
- Relax, drink some water, act like you somebody daughter

TIMECODES:

2:04 - Gods Plan | 1st Scary Hours
3:05 - First deluxe in 10 years
6:10 - Most rapping on a Drake project
6:40 - Pusha T influence
8:45 - Adriel is back in his rap nerd bag
10:15 - The album people have been asking for
12:05 - Drake is about to be 40 years old
14:11 - The Shade Room shoutout
18:10 - Level of Drake dissing people (unique diss)
18:50 - James Harden
23:19 - King of quotable lines
25:00 - Drake hurts Demar’s feelings
28:40 - Sounds like the YouTube album Demar found
32:10 - Drake is not a menace to society
33:20 - Drake doesn’t get the same Beyoncé treatment
39:20 - No hook Drake is the best Drake
39:40 - When the beat goes and the bass comes in
41:45 - This is actually old Drake
44:55 - The concise drake is the best drake
47:25 - What it means for his career
50:05 - Drake's career is 2 different things
54:10 - Vinyl
56:50 - The Scores

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Drake - Scary Hours 3 / 2023 / Hip hop, Rap

2024 Grammy Nominations are in and did Druski really get robbed?

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:30:02 +0000

Grammy nominations are in! We break down the categories we actually care about and determine who we want to win versus who we think is gonna win. Also, Druski and Birdman are beefing? Is it real or not...?

P.S. Where the hell is Boy's a Liar by PinkPantheress and Ice Spice for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance??

TIMECODES:
2:03 K-pop artists super popular/outselling American artists
3:05 Missy Elliot doing 400,000 in the first week
5:45 Everyone said Utopia trash first and that is what people are sticking with
9:55 Record of the Year Nominations
18:19 Where is ‘Boys a Liar Part 2’
22:14 Anti Ice-Spice Agenda
22:40 Best new artist
25:16 Ice Spice, Cardi B comparison
26:50 “Good is fine but this is the Grammys”
28:04 This is like Rookie of the Year
29:39 Producer of the year
32:00 Hitboy saved Nas
38:30 No breakthrough artists on their radar
40:30 The Hip-hop category has gotten better
49:00 The Grammys want Drake at their show so badly
54:30 Who is the Grammy's favourite white women
56:10 Druski vs Birdman

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CLVII. PinkPantheress | Heaven Knows

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 01:27:53 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss PinkPantheress' debut album 'Heaven Knows', her mainstream breakout and PinkPantheress' ability to pull genres towards her instead of the other way around.

Démar’s rating: 8.75 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Mosquito, Boy's a Liar Pt. 2, Feelings, Nice to meet you, Another life, Bury Me

TIMECODES:

3:16 - Music styles/influences
7:19 - Surprise Central Cee feature?
12:19 - The video looks like an iPod commercial
14:14 - I’m sure she has great memories from when she was 6 years old
15:35 - The BNYX producer tag meshes perfectly with her music
17:45 - Thinking electronic music is away from hip-hip
18:09 - Rema doesn’t sound like Rema
20:40 - More so mixing cultures than sounds
22:27 - A Yeat collaboration makes sense
24:08 - Meeting between hip-hip & electronic music
25:00 - EDM hip-hip era
30:09 - Demar’s favourite song
35:08 - Vocally she can’t hang
44:39 - A bar you can use in real life (put it on Demar’s gravestone)
46:45 - Her music is so carefree
52:30 - Dululu side of Tik-tok
54:37 - The cover
1:06:25 - The Scores

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PinkPantheress - Heaven Knows / 2023 / DnB, UK Garage, Bedroom Pop

Missy Elliot becomes the first female rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 23:28:53 +0000

Hip hop scores another win with Missy Elliot becoming the first female rapper inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Spotify also raises the listenership threshold for revenue sharing and Young Thug's trial nears its beginning.

TIMECODES:

5:48 - If you are in the music industry
8:00 - A pile of small potatoes
9:05 - Missy Elliott inducted into the Rock n Roll HOF
10:15 - She makes sense as the first female rapper inducted
16:45 - Thug trial
19:22 - The nicknames
21:30 - Unique way of naming people
22:02 - Free Tory in your bio
23:50 - Having the black jury helps
25:55 - Demar wants Young Thug to continue to be influential
26:38 - How this will affect the next generation?
28:10 - A prison Verzuz

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CLVI. Majid Jordan | Good People

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:45:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Majid Jordan's latest album 'Good People', its obvious influences and whether this is their lowest ever rated 'No Skips' album ever.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 5.5 / 10

The Love List: Eyes Closed, Hands Tied, Waiting For You

TIMECODES:

4:05 - Are Majid Jordan underrated?
5:32 - Not getting inspired by these lyrics
7:45 - Lyrics lack emotion
10:05 - Adriel may not be young and hip
12:10 - “Take my shy away” (how are you getting this off in real life)
15:00 - On Wednesday we wear pink
15:40 - Trying to make a Daft Punk song
21:45 - Can’t believe they got Sade for that
25:57 - Somehow my Spotify skipped?
28:10 - The Message feels played out
29:25 - It’s great to have on in the background
30:30 - It’s giving playlist cover
31:45 - Technically it’s good
33:42 - Only 8’s, 9’s & 10’s in Demar's collection
34:53 - No skips
35:50 - The Scores
39:10 - You’ll make it to the end by accident

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Majid Jordan - Good People / 2023 / R&B

CLV. Brent Faiyaz | Larger than Life

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:00:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Brent Faiyaz's latest mixtape Larger than Life, its ability to synthesize the 2000's and whether it's spin the block music.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 9 / 10

The Love List: Best Time, Outside All Night, WY@, Belong To You, Last One Left, Foever Yours, Tim's Intro

TIMECODES:
3:34 Surprise project making him a bigger artist
3:55 The singles we had before
6:44 The 2000s is the new throwback era
7:29 Features
9:14 Justin Timberlake impression
11:50 Best song?
12:35 Difference between R&B today
17:49 A$AP Mob mixtape vibes
20:00 Distortion in the music
21:47 Missy Elliot / Busta Rhymes
25:00 Favourite Skit?
30:25 Lyrics
33:29 The world is not out to hurt you kid
38:25 Little bit of battle on the hook/ contrast
40:40 SZA vs coco Jones
46:35 government names
47:27 the cover
56:40 Partynextdoor comparison
1:01:15 The Score

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Brent Faiyaz - Larger than Life / 2023 / Throwback R&B

DJ Envy Gets Caught Up in Real Estate Scam Allegations and What We've Been Listening to Lately

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 12:00:03 +0000

The Breakfast Club's DJ Envy has found himself caught up in an alleged real estate Ponzi scheme, or scam or maybe he hasn't... He says he's only a spokesperson, but it's hard to believe. After breaking that down the duo discuss what they've been listening to lately as the year enters its final stages.

TIMECODES:

2:51 - Desert Storm documentary?
4:12 - DJ Envy using the radio show as promotion
5:30 - Demar predicts what will happen to DJ Envy next
8:26 - Caesar got people to buy into a house that he didn’t even own
13:17 - DJ envious
15:20 - What we’ve been listening to lately

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CLIV. Sampha | Lahai

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:53:11 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Sampha's second studio album 'Lahai', its ability to defy genre, Sampha's poetic songwriting and whether it's already the album of the year.

Démar’s rating: 9.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10, then 7.5/10 and finally 8/10

P.S. I saved Adriel's entire career on this one. He was gonna give this album a 6.5 outta 10. 6.5!!!! This is probably gonna be the album of the year! ~D

The Love List: Suspended, What If You Hypnotise Me?, Dancing in Circles, Satelite Business, Spirit 2.0, Stereo Colour Cloud

TIME CODES:

3:10 - Sampha, an electronic artist
5:30 - Sampha’s best features
8:43 - Similar to Mustafa?
10:16 - What genre of music is this / don’t know what’s happening
15:00 - Getting a beat drop but not what you think
16:15 - The crackle effect
18:46 - Demar praises a slow song
20:19 - Trap drums making it American / keeping its pace (the tick)
24:54 - Final Fantasy keys
28:20 - Get rid of all the regular shit
28:50 - Suspended
35:15 - Stereo-coloured cloud lyrics
41:35 - Demar was there
43:30 - He doesn’t need features
47:00 - The cover
50:44 - The score
1:05:10 - Demar is here delivering the word

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Sampha - Lahai / 2023 / electronic, soul, alternative R&B? This doesn't really have a genre

Is Drake The Greatest Hitmaker in Music History? And Bandcamp's Staff Gets Slashed in Half

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 22:54:01 +0000

Drake has tied Michael Jackson for the most number 1 hits for a male soloist, why isn't the hip hop community celebrating it? Also why isn't Canadian media celebrating this? Also, Bandcamp was acquired from Epic Games and immediately slashed their staff in half, crippling another music publication.

TIMECODES:

2:19 Drake biggest hitmaker in music history
8:15 This is how people listen to music now
12:40 Disconnect between Drake & Hip-Hop
16:20 The biggest artist is a hip-hop artist and being from Canada, haven’t seen this before
17:30 Can’t tell the story without Drake
20:00 Drake owns the top 10
21:19 Bandcamp layoffs
28:20 Need to be optimistic
37:32 Adonis is the new Bow Wow

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CLIII. Offset | Set It Off

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 16:33:50 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Offset's second studio album 'Set It Off', his undying love for Michael Jackson, his determination to become Migos' Beyoncé and his potential sound.

Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: ON THE RIVER, BROAD DAY, FINE AS CAN BE, DON'T YOU LIE, WORTH IT

6:16 MJ outfits
10:18 Everyone saying bougie / triplet flow
11:45 Offset got everyone in the divorce
17:20 Questing life/ pinky ring cost a phantom
20:10 Offset can’t sound like old offset
20:35 On the River / Migos breakup
22:06 Offset/dancing
26:20 The one-line hook
28:45 Demar thinks this is peak Offset
30:40 3-6 mafia flow overused
32:32 Beat selection
35:53 Busta Rhymes/Offset parallel
41:25 The cover
46:48 The scores

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Offset - Set It Off / 2023 / hip hop, rap, pop rap, trap

Doja Cat Embraces the Alt-Right & Drake vs. Joe Budden

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 23:34:34 +0000

Doja Cat has gone from racial chat rooms showing feet to wearing white supremists on her T-shirts while Drake and Joe Budden continue their multi-year beef, taking new swipes at each other over Drake's perceived lack of evolution.

TIMECODES:

0:52 - Doja Cat being Doja Cat
9:04 - Joe Budden vs Drake

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CLII. Drake | For All The Dogs

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:12:10 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Drake's eighth studio album 'For All the Dogs', whether Drake fatigue is real and if his lyrics need to evolves as he grows older.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: First Person Shooter, 7969 Santa, What Would Pluto Do, 8AM in Charlotte

TIMECODES:

2:16 - People wanting to like the project
9:48 - Drake acting like Gucci Mane
16:24 - Would love another hotline bling
19:04 - Lack of evolution
28:30 - Too much of you (Drake)
31:30 - A lot of these songs would be hits on another artist's album
35:15 - Friday Drake Album I had to stop
36:38 - Felt like more of a playlist than an album
39:34 - Still here
41:18 - Drew a Picasso
47:40 - What would Pluto do?
53:30 - Is he dissing Rihanna
57:23 - Use to have reverence for other artists
59:34 - There’s a good album here if you cut 9 songs
59:55 - The cover
1:07:54 - (5) songs to take off
1:09:24 - Final Scores

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Drake - For All the Dogs / 2023 / hip hip, rap, rage, R&B,

CLI. Jorja Smith | Falling or Flying

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 22:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Jorja Smith's long awaited second studio album 'Falling or Flying', whether she's making the wrong genre of music and her vocal versatility.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: Little Things, Feelings, Try Me, She Feels

TIMECODES:

00:15 Start
7:39 Jorja Smith should be a dance artist
10:38 Tyler the Creator comparison
13:50 Demar only listens to the new shit
18:39 Demar doesn’t like slow songs
26:47 Adriel took away Demar’s Jamaican card
35:47 We don’t need her to get into the studio with The Chainsmokers
40:42 Demar Doesn’t think she is a wordsmith / not much imagery
55:00 Album score

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Jorja Smith - Falling or Flying / 2023 / R&B, garage, rock

This week's TikTok Top 10, Taylor Swift dating Travis Kelce and Usher at the Super Bowl

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 17:00:02 +0000

The idea Adriel and Demar have joked about for over a year is brought to life, the TikTok charts are alive and running and the duo breaks down the top 10. Taylor Swift is also dating Travis Kelce, allegedly. Hopefully it's true because Usher is gonna be performing at this year's Super Bowl and the star power of the Pat Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift and Usher might make our TV's explode. It's a juice one, but we had to do it remotely this time. DIAL IN BABY!

TIMECODES:

1:30 - Tik Tok Top Ten Chart
28:48 - Drake vs. Charlamagne
40:38 - Usher performing at the Super Bowl
51:57 - Taylor Swift featuring Travis Kelce

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CL. Doja Cat | Scarlet

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:37:54 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Doja Cat's fourth studio album 'Scarlet', whether she needs to prove she can rap and whether her controversies are worth the attention they garner.

Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6 / 10

The Love List: 97, Balut, Agora Hills, Shutcho, Go Off, Gun, Paint The Town Red

Timecodes:
2:22 Does Demar follow Doja Cat
5:39 Doja cat on Alchemist beats
10:50 Big Sean / Control verse
12:58 Over shadowing the music
16:17 Lil Tecca vs Doja
22:56 Demon’s
25:00 Ouchies
26:05 Older production
30:15 Her singing is like an extra light on the stage
35:35 Sounds good but don’t believe it
38:30 Will playlist well
42:40 Wet vagina
43:53 Best songs at the end
50:30 She has clever lines
1:07:07 Hook master
1:09:25 What are those

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Doja Cat - Scarlet / 2023 / hip hop, rap, pop rap, soul, neo soul

Drake ducks Doja Cat, Billboard launches their TikTok charts and dubbing PS1 Drill

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 22:42:14 +0000

Instead of stepping up for an awe-inspiring duel between Doja Cat and Drake, Drake pushes his release date. And as TikTok continues to dominate the music landscape the app gets its own Billboard chart.

Also, Demar and Adriel dub a new sub-genre of hip hop, PS1 Drill. Its a growing scene of immaculate vibes, nostalgic PlayStation 1 style synths and drills galloping drums.

Here's the growing playlist with the likes of Knucks, Ashbeck, and Sainté.

TIMECODES:

5:04 Cleo sol
6:50 Ash Beck
8:09 Tumblr rap
8:43 PS1 Drill
10:40 Drake
12:37 slime you out
15:41 way too sexy
18:05 the time when this was normal (slime)

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CXLIX. Olivia Rodrigo | GUTS

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 21:16:36 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Olivia Rodrigo's second studio album 'GUTS', how punks fans are winning the pop punk war of Rodrigo's music and how she's taken the colour purple's mantle from Prince.

Démar’s rating: 8 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7 / 10

The Love List: all-american bitch, bad idea right? ballad of a homeschooled girl, get him back!

TIME CODES:

10:30 - Colour purple
12:25 - Grade 8 Adriel - younger crowd
14:10 - For the angsty teenager
15:55 - ‘Lacy’‘
20:24 - She can sing but not that strong
22:10 - ‘Pretty isn’t Pretty’ is generic
26:40 - Real rock fans
27:09 - Closeted Paramore fan
30:55 - Best songs and sounds not lining up with the image
37:42 - I don’t know how many people at 20 were thinking like this
44:55 - Songs is about be socially awkward but not at all
46:55 - Like the cure
50:00 - This shit is hard
50:27 - Shout out to mean girls
51:19 - The cover
52:03 - Prince Purple
57:30 - Adriel's score
59:23 - Demar's score

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Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS / 2023 / Pop Punk, Pop, Punk

Is Sexyy Red An Industry Plant? And Beyoncé Issues an Official Dress Code

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:05:17 +0000

Adriel thinks Sexyy Red is an industry plant because her meteoric rise and sightings with A-list rappers, but is it true? Just because you're late on a wave doesn't mean it's not real.

TIMECODES:

0:31 - Shout out to the bunnies
3:36 - Wrong side (Nikki)
3:52 - A list artists next to Sexy Redd
7:02 - The internet lets people do crazy things
8:47 - It’s ok to be late to the wave
10:04 - Teezo Touchdown
11:55 - Demar is a munch ?
13:11 - Sexy Redd getting memed
19:45 - Just for the flex
21:03 - Beyoncé fans have some respect for yourselves

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CXLVIII. Burna Boy | I Told Them...

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 22:52:51 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Burna Boy's seventh studio album 'I Told Them...', whether making a crossover album is worth it and who's Burna Boy's best collaborator.

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: On Form, Dey Play, City Boys

TIME CODES:

2:56 - The singles
10:07 - Very American
17:25 - The combo is working
25:01 - The dreaded crossover album
31:48 - J Cole feature
37:37 - Lots of fusion
40:50 - Hip-hop crossover (like Chingy)
44:32 - Features
45:46 - The Weeknd is Demar’s guy
49:17 - He’s a hitmaker
49:42 - Kilometre
57:43 - Do something with Post Malone
59:33 - score

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Burna Boy - I Told Them... / 2023 / afrobeat, afro fusion, rap, hip hop

CXLVII. Quavo | Rocket Power

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 20:35:45 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Quavo's second solo studio 'Rocket Power', whether he's a viable solo artist and if this project is a step back for him.

Démar’s rating: 4 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 3.5 / 10

The Love List: Turn Yo Clic Up, Stain, Focused, Greatness

TIME CODES:

1:58 - Who’s Beyoncé
3:44 - Adriel never thought Quavo could rap
7:46 - Quavo features (was a good singles artist)
9:25 - Best song on Rocket Power?
10:20 - He’s not smooth
12:55 - Hearing them together on tracks ‘
4:54 - Shoe on the other foot
15:18 - Quavo should go the old-school Travis Scott route
16:43 -The Migos love their mom
18:12 - A song Adriel is afraid of Quavo making (Who Wit Me)
19:20 - Bad version of a type beat
20:45 - Song would be better if it was just Future
23:43 - Future does better on his features
24:38 - Search and rescue
29:22 - Elementary school level rap
32:49 - Some of the flows were cool

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Quavo - Rocket Power / 2023 / rock, indie rock, country

Drake Reveals the 'For All the Dogs' Cover and Spotify's Top 5 Most Streamed Rap Albums of 2023

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:57:47 +0000

How is Adonis designing covers better than 90% of hip hop right now? People need to step their game up. Also Spotify's top 5 most streamed rap albums of 2023 looks like another indication of hip hop's decline.

TIMECODES:

0:14 - Start
1:13 - New Drake era
3:00 - An album that has nothing to do with Kanye
5:05 - Changing the album cover game
6:20 - Drawing looks sinister
8:43 - Drake makes the music when he’s enjoying himself
9:14 - Demar liked honestly never mind
10:05 - Demar is cautiously optimistic
11:59 - Spotify top album streams
12:46 - Ice Spice, not a gimmick?
13:55 - Demar respects Ice Spice
16:50 - Top Streamed Rap albums of the year. Kind of depressing
20:17 - Russ
23:00 - Song of the Summer?
23:53 - You can’t say Demar is not a bunny
27:40 - Doja

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How piracy in the 2000's morphed hip hop and is Eminem rap's Kelly Clarkson?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 02:31:04 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss how the hip hop developed over the 2000s and how many artists have maintained their relevance beyond the monumental time for the genre. Also remember Limewire? The duo reflects on it's impact on hip hop and how the Touch It (Remix) was one of it calling cards.

TIMECODES:

1:30 Bling rap era
2:25 Soulja boy Gucci head band
2:50 Limewire
4:00 Touch it remix
5:07 Crank that at a wedding Demar is old
8:35 Eminem is the Kelly Clarkson of rap
09:40 Meg the stallion “pro meg podcast”1
4:15 Ludacris
19:10 Drake singing + rapping

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CXLVI. Noname | Sundial

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 02:30:47 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Noname's second studio album 'Sundial', whether she's been left behind by her peers and how her politics fail her in being a conscious rapper.

Démar’s rating: 6.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: boomboom, namesake, potentially the interlude, hold me down

TIME CODES:

8:10 - Other people killing her on her project
9:50 - A lot people like noname
11:48 - Production “real instruments”
14:20 - Sneaky like a burglar
17:15 - She has not evolved
18:40 - Refer back to the text
20:25 - The sound has to grow
23:35 - She’s in touch
25:04 - Beef - j cole
26:05 - Naming names
30:25 - She’s a conscious rapper
30:42 - She’s a progressive
35:15 - That circle of people exist and communicate with each other
40:10 - The cover
42:55 - What it does for her career

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Noname - Sundail / 2023 / rap, neo soul, hip hop

Hip Hop 50th Anniversary RETRO REVIEW: Jay-Z | The Blueprint

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:16:52 +0000

Hip Hop turns 50 this year so Album Mode has decided to look at an album per decade to see how the genre has evolved since that primordial party in New York that started it all. This week Démar and Adriel discuss the GOAT, Jay-Z and his classic ‘The Blueprint’, it’s iconic hits and flooded lyrics. The duo also discuss the legendary producer list and how 'The Blueprint' is a production heaven.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: The Ruler's Back, Girls Girls, Girls (Part 2), Renegade, Izzo, Heart Of The City

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Jay-Z - The Blueprint / 2001 / rap, hip hop

Tory Lanez gets sentenced to 10 years and Reason is beefing with his label, TDE

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 22:00:03 +0000

Finally Tory Lanez's sentencing has been announced, the Brampton artist got 10 years behind bars for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. In response the Twitteratti and Instagram comments are on fire, but what exactly did Lanez do to deserve this martyrdom? Also a Billboard article reveals music execs are in the dark when it comes to star-making and Reason is beefing with his label, TDE. Lots of juice and we do the squeezing, Album Mode.

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CXLV. Post Malone | Austin

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:15:12 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Post Malone's fifth studio album 'Austin', whether he's a hip-hop artist anymore and if being a rock artist makes sense for Posty despite being bad at it.

Démar’s rating: 5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 4.5 / 10

The Love List: Something Real, Texas Tea, Mourning, Novacandy

TIME CODES:

1:38 - Lyrics about going through it
3:49 - 12k score
4:12 - Should he have leaned more into hip-hop?
5:40 - Production is good at times
6:30 - Mall Rock Renaissance
7:45 - Posty can’t hit some of the notes
16:09 - He’s shining?
18:30 - Is that a compliment? Mr. World wide
24:57 - People might not like this project but they will still be fans
30:12 - Demar’s Score
32:42 - Adriel’s Score

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Post Malone - Austin/ 2023 / rock, indie rock, country

CXLIV. Travis Scott | Utopia

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 22:38:57 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Travis Scott's fourth album 'Utopia', how Scott has maintained relevance despite not dropping an album in 5 years and whether hiding features like Drake, Beyoncé, Playboi Carti, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny is worth it.

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: FE!N, HYAENA, MY EYES, SKITZO, DELRESTO,

TIMECODES:

5:19 - K-pop
6:57 - new bag
8:25 - YBN was still a thing
9:23 - able to go away for 5 years and still be a thing
11:00 - not a fan of Demar’s fandom
13:30 - Demar wants the front part of sicko mode
15:15 - starting out with no features
18:50 - favourite features
26:23 - tracks only Travis Scott is making
33:30 - songs bigger then before
38:13 - favourite production
41:30 - fiend should have been the single
43:30 - ASAP styles
45:45 - maybe over French Montana
47:30 - wives are billionaires
51:05 - do Travis Scott lyrics matter
54:14 - ye over Biden
57:06 - WAS gang
1:06:09 - cover
1:09:06 - Demar’s Score
1:10:45 - Adriel’s Score

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Travis Scott - Utopia / 2023 / rap, hip hop, trap, psychedelic trap

Doja Cat hates her fans and Drake is never doing a serious interview EVER again

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:00:02 +0000

The duo discusses the promo streak Drake has been on over the past week and why Doja Cat hates her own fans. Drake's latest interview isn't hard hitting but does it need to be anymore? Also, is Nas x Hit-boy the GOAT rapper-producer combo ever?

TIMECODES:

1:40 - What Drake is wearing
4 :50 - Drake is savvy on who he is around
9:05 - Drakes book
10:20 - Elliot Wilson run up interviews
14:45 - Diva drake getting a drink
16:35 - Drake is bi-racial
21:33 - Tik-tok revenue share
24:30 - Doja Cat v Kittenz
37:15 - Nas & hit-boy
38:10 - Nas vs Jay-Z
40:50 - Travis Scott
44:00 - Lotto

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CXLIII. NewJeans (뉴진스) | Get Up

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:04:30 +0000

`This week Démar and Adriel discuss NewJeans (뉴진스) second EP 'Get Up', who's the best singer in each language, their dream collabs for the group and the project's outrageously short length.

Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Super Shy, ETA, NewJeans

TIMECODES:

03:40 - The power puff girls
12:05 - Get Up stand out
13:20 - Demar is in
15:05 - 6-song project
19:05 - Favourite singers
22:35 - Seems like it’s 5 girls hanging out
24:12 - Future comparison
30:54 - Collaborations
32:40 - If a DJ gets their hands on this - remix
33:45 - Pinkpantheress
39:30 - Vinyl
42:30 - Album mode falling off?

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NewJeans (뉴진스) - Get Up EP / 2023 / pop, kpop, UK Garage, Drum and Bass, bubblegum pop

NewJeans And PinkPantheress Are Destined to Collab And Spotify's Top 50 Most Streamed Rap Songs

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:00:02 +0000

PinkPantheress and NewJeans are dropping singles, their sound is soooo similar so we speculate on whether they should collab and why it makes sense. Hip Hop also turns 50 this year and Spotify revealed their top 50 most streamed songs... about 10 of the songs aren't even hip hop.

TIMECODES:

3:25 - NewJeans & pinkpantheress
19:45 - Top 50
11:35 - XXXTentacion
15:20 - Coolio
16:55 - J Cole
17:55 - Why does Adriel hate the most popular songs
21:05 - WAP

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CXLII. J Hus | Beautiful and Brutal Yard

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:02:11 +0000

J Hus' third studio album 'Beautiful and Brutal Yard’ is out and up for review! Will J Hus' offbeat rapping translate to North American fans? Will Drake get 'The London' treatment on 'Who Told You'? And Why doesn't J Hus use the deep voice on 'Killy' all the time? Find out in this episode of Album Mode Z!

Démar’s rating: 6 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 8 / 10

The Love List: Killy, Alien Girl, Masculine, Nice Body

TIMECODES:

7:00 - Double fist, day party album
13:12 - Freeze please section
15:05 - Rapping off beat, e40
18:40 - Who told you Drake feature
20:25 - The London treatment
30:05 - Sounds like a dancehall song
31:40 - American artists can’t do it
32:40 - Why doesn’t he rap like this all the time
33:53 - Killy
36:55 - No need to bring it to the sink
44:00 - poetry

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J Hus – Beautiful and Brutal Yard / 2023 / hip hop, rap, UK rap,

Rappers and Their NBA Equivalents and The Grammys Allows AI Music to Win Awards

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:27:41 +0000

First Démar and Adriel discuss The Grammys allowing for AI music to win awards. Then the real juice, NBA players-rapper comps! It's free agency in the NBA so we thought it be fun to find NBA star equivalents to some of hip hop's best rappers today.

Here's the variety article mentioned in the pod.

TIMECODES:

05:08 - purist music, computer music
06:22 - Artist on artist crime, bring back bullying
09:05 - NBA & rapper comps
11:22 - Lebron x Drake
16:53 - Ben Simmons x Chance the rapper
19:38 - Meg x Ja
20:14 - Gun crossover
21:48 - klay x 21
23:44 - Jason Tatum x Denzel Curry
26:22 - Tyler The Creator x Jimmy Butler
29:57 - Vince Staples x Iman Shumpert
31:46 - Luka X Lil Baby
35:20 - Kdot x Jokic/Steph Curry

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CXLI. Dominic Fike | Sunburn

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:19:15 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Dominic Fike's second studio album 'Sunburn’. Is Fike the second coming on Jack Johnson? Is his production putting him in the 'Nas Zone'? Find out in this episode of Album Mode Z!

P.S. Mona Lisa is still my song of the summer - D

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 7.5 / 10

The Love List: Mona Lisa, Dancing in the Courthouse, Any Pile, How Much Is Weed

Timecodes:

6:50 - Demar is a Dominic Fike superfan
11:40 - Demar loves to dance to Mona Lisa - song to frolic to
16:30 - Jack Johnson with a face tattoo
23:15 - FIFA song
25:14 - This genre didn’t make it to tik-tok music of our childhood
34:00 - lyrics/people don’t know what they are singing
40:04 - the aesthetic and dated production
43:22 - the cover

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Dominic Fike – Sunburn / 2023 / rock, pop, alternative

CXL. Lil Uzi Vert | Pink Tape

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:00:03 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Lil Uzi Vert's third studio album 'Pink Tape’, whether hip hop anthems are back and Uzi's dilance to rock music. Is Uzi able to make the jump to a completely new genre? idk about that one chief.

P.S. Why are we still doing 20+ song albums? WHYYYYY??

Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6/ 10

The Love List: Flooded the Face, Endless Fashion, Nakamura, Just Wanna Rock

Time Codes:

7:43 - long albums
09:30 - rock & rap
11:45 - CS
15:45 - Anthems are back
18:50 - Good trap music vs what Gunna makes
23:40 - Demar loves Don toliver
32:44 - lyrics …. Profound
40:35 - Nikki lines
47:30 - Harry Styles

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Lil Uzi Vert – Pink Tape / 2023 / trap, rock

Best Albums of 2023 So Far and 'The Idol' Season Finale Makes No Damn Sense

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:47:17 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss the best albums so far this year and breakdown the absolutely tragic season finale of 'The Idol'. Also there's been two girls made of "sugar, spice, kanekalon and cinnamon" running viral all over TikTok and giving us all a lesson on viral marketing. The duo decide whether they think FlyanaBoss is a meme or the real deal.

Time Codes:
3:13 - top 5 albums
7:55 - Dave & CC EP
10:47 - Kali Uchis
14:20 - Jimmy Butler
17:05 - the idol
20:10 - offended
22:18 - good actors minus the weekend
25:08 - Demar would love to watch a new season
38:15 - Nike sponsorship

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CXXXIX. Young Thug | Business is Business

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 03:49:19 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Young Thug's Third studio album 'Business is Business’, whether Young Thug has fallen off and how Thugger's vocal performance circumvents the album's generic production.

Démar’s rating: 7 / 10
Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10

The Love List: Gucci Grocery Bag, Wit Da Racks, Hoodie, Oh U Went

0:00 - Introduction
8:40 - Fav Thug songs
14:50 - 21 Savage is like Klay Thompson
32:33 - Hoodie sounds like a Izzo (H.O.V.A.) interpolation
34:45 - Who gets Lil Baby in the divorce
45:30 - Demar picks a side in the Gunna vs Thugger debate

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Young Thug – Business is Business / 2023 / rap, hip hop, trap

Drake announces a new album, Lil Uzi Vert reveals The Pink Tape's album cover and is Future top 50?

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:10:04 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss the promo streak Lil Uzi Vert, Drake and Travis Scott have been on over the past week. Adriel keeps wanting to talk about Pusha T and Jim Jones inexplicable beef over the top 50 and a heated debate about whether Future is a top 50 rapper of all time.

Time Codes:
0:15 – Introduction
4:48 – Drake is a style icon
8:15 – Uzi is a Republican
13:25 – Jim Jones vs Pusha T
14:45 – Jim Jones making the best music of his career
19:35 – Why is beef a hip-hop thing?
23:40 – Is Future Top 50?

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CXXXVIII. Gunna | A Gift & a Curse

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 22:28:09 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Gunna's fourth studio album 'A Gift and a Curse’, whether it's his best album to date and how leaving the guitar behind has helped his production.

Démar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: fukumean, rodeo dr, bottom, p angels

P.S. When we said Young Nudy, we meant Young Thug
0:00 - Introduction
4:00 - It’s been destitute
4:50 - The black Nav
6:55 - 69 is a snitch just like Gunna, just less liked 1
1:00 - Guitar production used by Gunna
12:15 - A part of his appeal
17:45 - Future could have written all Gunna’s songs
22:05 - Vortex
29:35 - Gunna vs Central Cee
38:05 - Gunna Vinyl

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Gunna – A Gift & a Curse / 2023 / rap, hip hop, trap

Predicting the Song of the Summer, The Idol is still cringe and Andre 3000 is dropping an album??

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:45:23 +0000

Démar and Adriel breakdown episode 3 of the Idol, predict which songs they thing will be the song of the summer and discuss Andre 3000’s alleged album on the way. Don’t believe the hype! Andre 3000 is in the Kanye/Frank Ocean zone, we gotta see it to believe it.

Time Codes:
0:00 – Introduction
2:03 – Being threatened by someone named Abel
9:18 – I thought it was going to be way worse
11:40 – Our predictions for song of the summer
22:08 – Andre 3000 original Frank ocean

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CXXXVII. Janelle Monáe | The Age of Pleasure

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:14:34 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Janelle Monáe's fourth studio album 'The Age of Pleasure', its reggae roots and how seamlessly Monáe blends genres.

Démar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

The Love List: Water Slide, Phenomenal, The Rush, Haute

*NO SKIPS*

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Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure / 2023 / reggae, dancehall, soul, R&B

Honestly, Nevermind turns one, aging like fine wine and 'The Idol' is creepy but cringey

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 19:12:04 +0000

Démar and Adriel talk about Drake's Honestly, Nevermind hitting its one-year anniversary and how its aged (hint: that joint slaps, you haters). Also The Weeknd's 'The Idol' is purposefully unsettling but also cringe.

Time Codes:
0:00 – introduction
14:34 - Honestly, Nevermind's one-year anniversary

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Taylor Swift gets bullied out of dating Matty Healy and The Weeknd's acting is weird in The Idol

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 22:30:01 +0000

Démar and Adriel talk about how Taylor Swift got bullied into dumping Matty Healy and whether The Weeknd’s acting is genuinely off-kilter or just bad on ‘The Idol’. The duo also debate whether bad haircuts are The Weeknd’s brand and why there hasn’t been a hip hop #1 on the charts yet.

Time Codes:
0:00 – introduction
2:15 – Bought in
5:50 – Taylor Swift fans like to cancel people
13:00 – The Fumble
21:30 – The Weeknd’s hair is terrible
24:15 – The Weeknd’s hair being terrible is allegedly his brand
30:00 – Realizing we lost a generation of artists

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CXXXVI. Dave x Central Cee | Split Decision

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 22:04:31 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the first collab EP between Dave and Central Cee, ‘Split Decision’, how Central Cee has freed Dave from seriousness and how Dave’s lyricism challenges Cee to elevate his own.

Démar’s rating: 4 Stars
Adriel’s rating: 4 Stars

The Love List: Sprinter, Trojan Horse, Our 25th Birthday

0:18 - Introduction
04:09 – Projects that never happened
4:38 – CC Fans
10:00 – 25th Birthday
13:20 – Could have had a Drake feature
21:44 - Generic bit it bumps
24:26 – Central Cee Outta pocket
25:51 – Central Cee vs Gunna

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Dave x Central Cee – Split Decision / 2023 / rap, hip hop, uk rap, drill, grime

CXXXV. Arlo Parks | My Soft Machine

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Arlo Parks’ sophomore album ‘My Soft Machine’, it’s adventurous production and Parks’ revamped (and blunted) song writing style.

Démar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Blades, Purple Phase, Impurities, Puppy

0:00 Intro
4:00 Arlo Parks is Tyrese Haliburton
5:30 She doesn't need features
6:40 Romil from BROCKHAMPTON
8:35 Weightless with Paul Epworth
10:00 Sounds like Carly Rae Jepsen
14:30 Emotion in her vocals
17:30 Blades is Demar's favourite
23:10 Arlo Parks signature production
23:25 Why is Phoebe Bridgers on the album?
26:20 Heaviest song of her career
30:57 Simple songwriting
42:41 No skips?

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Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine / 2023 / indie, r&b, rock, alternative

CXXXIV. KAYTRAMINÉ | KAYTRAMINÉ

Sat, 27 May 2023 20:48:42 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the KAYTRAMINÉ collab album ‘KAYTRAMINÉ,’ Aminé’s 90’s references, being a pop Pusha T and whether improved KAYTRAMINÉ is a crossover point for Kaytranada.

Démar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: 4EVA, Westside, K&A, EYE,

Time Codes:

0:00 Intro
3:20 steez
4:20 lots going on in a good way
7:30 he’s like Portland
8:20 he’s like Pusha T
9:00 song of summer doesn’t work for everyone
9:50 this is not scaring the hoes music
14:30 the ticking hi-hat 16:30 joey badass
19:30 snoop 22:00 rap resume
23:00 808s wiggle not a rattle
24:50 STFU 27:50 hype track
28:00 Terrence Ross
29:30 rap is a secret language
31:30 Smart Guy
37:00 Freddie Gibbs
38:00 Big Sean x Viola Davis
42:45 The Matrix

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KAYTRAMINÉ – KAYTRAMINÉ / 2023 / rap, hip hop, house, electronic

Where is the Song of the Summer? Kid Cudi Cancels His Single and Summer Walker's EP is buns

Sat, 27 May 2023 20:22:36 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss why there’s no song of the summer yet, Kid Cudi nixing his single release after being roasted by twitter and the death of the great Tina Turner.

Time Codes:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Tina Turner
4:35 - Song of summer / Adriel is a hipster
7:15 - Travis Scott … it’s music it’s on a USB
10:45 - Cudi snippet removed from Twitter
15:15 - Chance the rapper
16:15 - Summer Walker
22:45 - Adriel has a lot of Travis Scott shit to talk
25:45 - Can Demar count the forgotten “Drake” album

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Repo Reaper's TikToks are reviving DaBaby's Career & Which 90s Artists Outlasted the Decade

Tue, 23 May 2023 23:36:33 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss how the hip hop developed over the 90s and how many artists have maintained their relevance beyond the monumental time for the genre. The duo also talks about DaBaby’s potential comeback because of the Repo Reaper account on TikTok’s virality.

Time Codes:
0:00 - Intro
2:00 - Tribe
4:35 - 90s Dr Dre
7:05 - Wu-Tang
11:35 - Rihanna son named RZA
12:29 - RZA to Riff Raff
13:20 - 1 hit wonders
16:05 - Bootylicious
17:05 - DaBaby & TikTok

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RETRO REVIEW: Nas | Illmatic

Tue, 23 May 2023 23:28:16 +0000

Hip Hop turns 50 this year so Album Mode has decided to look at an album per decade to see how the genre has evolved since that primordial party in New York that started it all. This week Démar and Adriel discuss one of the god MC’s, Nas’ and his debut classic ‘Illmatic’, it’s iconic lines and one liners. The duo also discuss the legendary production list and how 'Illmatic' traps the listener in New York with Nas.

Démar’s rating: 10
Adriel’s rating: 10

The Love List: NY State of mind, The World is Yours, Life’s a Bitch, Represent, It Ain’t Hard to Tell

* NO SKIPS *

Time Codes:
0:00 - Intro
5:00 - it’s like a new console
5:45 - the phrase ill & slang
9:50 - NY in the 90’s Mecca of Hip-Hip
13:00 - Production
20:08 - record scratch…. doesn’t sound dated
26:00 - AZ lyrics
30:00 - the person that said it is no longer important
37:00 - using different languages in 4 bars
39:45 - Mount Rushmore of backpack rap
40:45 - his music aged better then he did

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Nas – Illmatic / 1994 / rap, hip hop

CXXXVIII. Destroy Lonely | If Looks Could Kill

Wed, 17 May 2023 20:00:09 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss rapper Destroy Lonely’s debut album ‘If Looks Could Kill.’ Lonely’s Nav-ness and whether his lack of variance on a feature-less album can work long term.

Time Codes:

0:00 - Intro
7:15 - If you know what 9/11 is then you are old enough
9:25 - One flow all the way through
14:45 - Sounds like he has to take a dump
16:00 - Something to his voice
18:30 - He is your cousin that raps who you hate his music…
19:30 - Ball like Dellavedova
21:30 - Reminds Démar of Nav
32:59 - Whistle adlib

Démar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: if looks could kill, how u feel, which one

Destroy Lonely – If Looks Could Kill. / 2023 / rap, hip hop, rage

-

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The Weeknd is changing his name and Doja Cat hates her old music

Tue, 16 May 2023 23:30:03 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss why Démar is scared about The Weeknd potentially changing his stage name and Doja Cat’s twitter tirade about her artistry. Timbaland is also making AI songs with a dead artist… LIKE WE PREDICICTED.

Time Codes:

0:00 - intro
3:00 - Dealing with Doja
13:45 - Ed vs Marvin Gaye
20:54 - The Weeknd
22:15 - Démar is nervous
23:10 - The fan artists complain about
26:45 - Démar is aware and will endure
29:00 – Timbaland/Biggie AI

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CXXXVII. boygenius | The Record

Tue, 09 May 2023 16:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss supergroup Boygenius latest album ‘The Record’ and whether they’re a sum lesser than their parts and if their “background music” style of production works.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Satanist, $20, Emily I’m Sorry

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CXXXVI. Jack Harlow | Jackman.

Sun, 07 May 2023 12:00:02 +0000

This week Démar and Adriel discuss rapper Jack Harlow’s third studio album ‘Jackman.’ Harlow’s improved lyricism and whether he can step outside rapper-Drake’s shadow.

4:00 - raps like Drake
7:30 - this shit is good, respectfully
13:15 - when I think of Kentucky
16:00 - a pop rapper
18:00 - Drake of Jay-z beats
25:55 - is Jack top 50? Lol
27:00 - it can’t be (being a white rapper)
31:00 - black women love him
34:15 - Drake or Jack lyric
40:00 - production
53:00 - the cover
58:00 - Vinyl

*NO SKIPS*

Démar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: gang gang gang, Ambitious, Denver, Questions, It Can’t Be, Is That Ight

Jack Harlow – Jackman. / 2023 / rap, hip hop

===================================

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Post Malone Flexes his 8-song Diamond Collection and Pras Found Guilty in Political Conspiracy Trial

Sat, 06 May 2023 16:02:20 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss how Post Malone went from potential one-hit wonder to 8 diamond singles. Also, Pras is involved in international espionage… What?

8:00 - We thought White Iverson was a gimmick
12:30 - Hip-hip is the space (primordial ooze)
13:45 - Rap Rock
18:30 - Pras
19:00 - founded wolf of Wall Street
21:45 - why is the Chinese government contacting the 3rd member of the Fugees
23:30 - AI
26:00 - ringing a bell about using black artists likeness

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Is Pusha T top 50? Mac Demarco drops 199-song album "One Wayne G"

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:01:34 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss the audacity of Mac Demarco to drop a 199 song album and discuss Jim Jones' comments on Pusha T not being a top 50 rapper of all time.
P.S. Juice Wrld is Top 50 - D
===================================
Time Codes:
0:00 - intro
1:30 - song plays - Adriel a fan of more music
2:45 - song 20190724 - fun to make
5:45 - is it possible to drop too music (NBA Youngboy)
9:00 - Jim Jones x Pusha T
14:00 - internet deciding what's good
15:20 - Pusha T only raps about 1 thing
18:00 - top 50
18:50 - Tyler the creator top 50
21:00 - Joe Budden
===================================

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RETRO REVIEW: NWA | Straight Outta Compton

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:00:02 +0000

To celebrate hip hop's 50th year anniversary Demar and Adriel are going back into the annals of hip hop history and breaking down an album from each decade. The evolution of hip hop has happened at a lightning pace and by looking at an album from each decade we’ll get a chance to examine its growth throughout the half century.

This week Démar and Adriel discuss NWA’s debut album ‘Straight Outta Compton’, mono-syllabic rap and the album’s production being guitar led.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. Express Yourself is a perfect song

The Love List: Fuck Tha Police, Express Yourself, Straight Outta Compton, Gangsta Gangsta Follow us:

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Soundbytes: The AI Drake and The Weeknd Controversy & Frank Ocean Flops at Coachella

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 22:36:55 +0000

Démar and Adriel discuss whether Frank Ocean is even worth his celebrity anymore and what the latest advances in AI means for music. That Drake and The Weeknd ‘track’ by Ghostwriter, “Heart on My Sleeve” is brazy.

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Time Codes:

0:50 What does AI mean for the music industry?
5:00 - splits ?
10:00 - labels using AI - rappers that passed away.
11:30 - MF DOOM 13:50 - should artists be using AI
16:00 - Rakim 20:30 - waves of changing style
22:30 - commercialism of hip-hip
25:48 - the end of hip-hop being motivational
27:50 - Frank Ocean
31:00 - GO HOME FRANK
37:00 - Frank Ocean is Lauryn hill

CXXXIV. Daniel Caesar | NEVER ENOUGH

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:03:01 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Daniel Caesar's third studio 'NEVER ENOUGH', whether Caesar is still cancelled, how being called ugly affects his music and his odd production style.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

P.S. Don't hate us cause we're beautiful. Maybe if you got rid of that old yee - yee ass haircut...

The Love List: Valentina, Disillusioned, Pain Is Inevitable, Homiesexual

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Soundbytes: Complex's Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:00:02 +0000

Demar and Adrel rundown Complex's Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking, going over the top 25 and what sticks out. Who should be higher? Who should be lower? Is Adam 22 even relevant anymore? Why is Nardwuar ranked so low? Also some first time input from our producer, Chris AKA Patient Zero.

CXXXIII. Tyler, the Creator | Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Tyler the Creator’s deluxe album ’Call Me if You Get Lost: The Estate Sale’, whether the initial leaks were on purpose and how much Tyler’s lyrics have evolved.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. Toes are still out in Mykonos, eating grapes btw

The Love List: WHAT A DAY, SORRY NOT SORRY, DOGTOOTH, WHARF TALK

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Soundbytes: 2043: OVO ODYSSEY, Drake's shows, 6lack vs SCARING THE HOES

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:00:02 +0000

Demar and Adriel chop it up about the Drake fan album, 2043: OVO ODYSSEY, Drake's latest shows and music echo chambers on the internet.

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CXXXII. 10,000 gecs | 100 gecs

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:08:47 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss 100 gecs’ second studio album ’10,000 gecs’, their sound balancing on a knifes edge of brilliance and trash and whether their music is something you have ‘get’ to appreciate.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

P.S. gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec gec

The Love List: Dumbest Girl Alive, The Most Wanted Person In The United States, 757, One Million Dollars

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CXXXI. Miley Cyrus | Endless Summer Vacation

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:22:28 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Miley Cyrus’ eight album ‘Endless Summer Vacation, her sound bordering on generic and whether she’s the most successful Disney artist.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

P.S. I guess Rock Miley isn’t coming back…

The Love List: Jaded, Rose Coloured Lenses, Handstand, Violet Chemistry

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Soundbytes: T-Pain underrated, overrated or properly rated?

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 17:29:50 +0000

Adriel pops off about how T-Pain is criminally underrated in the music industry despite being a pioneer in many forms.Démar explains that although not at the forefront T-Pain is still revered.

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CXXX. Kali Uchis | Red Moon in Venus

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:07:12 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Kali Uchis’ latest album ‘Red Moon in Venus’, it's 'ice cream melting' effect and how Kali Uchis' maintains a seductive sound despite her braggadocious lyrics.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 9

P.S. This is our early Album of the Year candidate

The Love List: I Wish you Roses, All Mine, Moral Conscience, Moonlight, Deserve Me

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CXXIX. Don Toliver | Love Sick

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Don Toliver’s latest album ‘Love Sice’, whether he’s an R&B or hip-hop artist and home genres.

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 8

P.S. What was the last album cover that used neon

The Love List: Do It Right, Bus Stop, 4 Me

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CXXVI. Aftërlyfe | Yeat

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 17:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Yeat’s latest album ‘Aftërlyfe’, his refined artistry and endless versatility.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. lalalalala banga!

The Love List: No morë talk, Bad bënd / DëMON, Now, Nun id change

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Soundbytes: Drake & Yachty, Hailey vs. Selena and Tyler the Creator's leaks

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:00:02 +0000

Demar and Adriel chop it up about the latest music news this week: Drake and Yachty link up for an interview, Hailey Bieber beefs with Selena Gomez and Tyler Creator leaks start circulating on TikTok. Also, Brent Faiyaz has another song trending on TikTok.

Soundbytes: Boy's a Liar Pt.2 & Rihanna's Superbowl Performance

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 22:00:02 +0000

Demar and Adriel chop it up about the latest music news this week: PinkPantheress and Ice Spice link up for 'Boy's a liar Pt.2' and go viral while Rihanna's superbowl performance underwhelms. Plus the dup talk about how the Superbowl can improve going forward and make predictions on how the Superbowl will include more millenial artists.

CXXV. This is Why | Paramore

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Paramore’s latest ‘This is Why’, Paramore’s influence and the melding on Hayley’s solo writing and pop punk-era Paramore.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. Paramore is back!

The Love List: This Is Why, Crave, The News, Figure 8, Thick Skull

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Grammys Gripes 2023

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 21:53:48 +0000

Adriel and Demar lay out their gripes with the 2023 Grammys and Demar lays out his 3 ways to fix the voting. The duo also talk about an article in Variety where voters anonymously explain their rationale behind their vote.

CXXIV. Raye | My 21st Century Blues

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:00:01 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Raye's debut album ‘My 21st Century Blues’, her transitions between vastly different sounds and when lyrics and production are misaligned. .

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Oscar Winning Tears, Escapism, Worth It, Black Mascara

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CXXIII. Lil Yachty | Let's Start Here

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:06:29 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Yachty's latest psychedelic rock album 'Let's Start Here’,Yachty's newest sound, how past criticisms have shaped his music and whether this sonic shift is permanent.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: the BLACK semiole, the ride-, IVE OFFICIALLY LOST ViSiON!!!!, WE SAW THE SUN!

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CXXII. Ice Spice | Like..?

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 18:00:47 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Ice Spice’s debut EP ‘Like..?’, her celebrity versus her artistry and whether they think she’s going to make it past her TikTok smash single ‘Munch’.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Munch, Gangsta Boo, Actin A Smoochie

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CXXI. Top 10 Albums of 2022

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 17:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss what they deem to be the best albums of 2022, why an album can come out of nowhere are climb the list and what repeat listens can do for an album.

Honorable mentions (00:02:18)

Top 5’s (00:38:40)

Demar's 10:

Dawn FM - The Weeknd
WASTELAND - Brent Faiyaz
Duality - Luna Li
The Inspection - Cochise
Ramona Park Broke My Heart - Vince Staples
Renaissance - Beyoncé
CRASH - Charli XCX
Forest in the City - UMI
I Know Nigo - Nigo
Luv 4 Rent - Smino

Adriel's 10:

Brent Faiyaz - Wasteland
Saba Few - Good Things
Smino - Luv 4 Rent
Little Simz - No Thank You
Joey Badass - 2000
FKA Twigs - Caprisongs
Kendrick Lamar - Mr.Morales and the Big Steppers
Ari Lennox - age/sex/location
Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights
The Weekend - Dawn FM

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CXX. SOS | SZA

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 19:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss SZA’s second studio album ‘SOS’, what SZA’s return means to R&B and whether dabbling in different genre’s make sense for her.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

P.S. SZA is back baby!

The Love List: Kill Bill, Blind, Seek & Destroy, I Hate U, Gone Girl

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CXIX. HEROES & VILLAINS | Metro Boomin

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 23:00:08 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Metro Boomin’s second studio album ‘Heroes & Villains’, Why he might be top 5 hip hop producers ever and his ever present themes.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Creepin’, Metro Spider, Walk Em Down, Umbrella, Feel The Fiyaaaah

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CXVIII. This Is What I Mean | Stormzy

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 22:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Stormzy’s third studio album ‘This Is What I Mean’, it’s personal message and Stormzy’s continual drift from traditional hip hop to gospel.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Need You, My Presidents Are Black, Holy Spirit, Hide & Seek

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CXVII. The Family, TM & Eulogy | BROCKHAMPTON

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss BROCKHMAPTON’s final albums ‘The Family’ and ‘TM’, what made BROCKHAMPTON so special, potential solo careers for the members and the legacy of BROCKHAMPTON’s run.

The Family:
Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 6

TM:
Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 4.5

P.S. BROCKHAMPTON forever.

The Love List: All That, NEW SHOES, KEEP IT SOUTHERN, DUCT TAPE, The Ending, The Family

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CXVI. King's Disease 3 | Nas

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 00:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Nas’ sixteenth studio album ‘King’s Disease 3’, if this is the best trilogy in hip hop history, and why it’s less about how Nas raps but what he raps about now.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

*NO SKIPS*

The Love List: Ghetto Reporter, Thun, I’m on Fire, Til My Last Breath, Michael & Quincy

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CXV. Her Loss | Drake & 21 Savage

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 17:43:49 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Drake and 21 Savage’s collab album ‘Her Loss’, why this sound more like Drake featuring 21 Savage, Drake concentrating on one sound and Drake’s habitual line stepping.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

P.S. Zesty Drake is best Drake. - D

The Love List: Rich Flex, Spin Bout U, Pussy & Millions, Middle of the Ocean, Broke Boyz

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CXIV. Luv 4 Rent | Smino

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 17:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Smino’s third studio album ‘Luv 4 Rent’, his everchanging vocals, Smino’s conversation with blackness, and whether he’s underground.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 9

P.S. Kendrick Lamar is definitely scare the hoes music

The Love List: 90 Proof, Pro Freak, Settle Down, Pudgy, No L’s

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CXIII. Midnights | Taylor Swift

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:00:39 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album ‘Midnights’, her punchline focused lyrics and lack of moves left as an artist.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

P.S. Taylor Swift needs a Drake feature.

The Love List: Karma, Vigilante Shit, Anti-Hero, Snow on the Beach

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CXII. It's Only Me | Lil Baby

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Baby’s third studio album “It’s Only Me”, its repetitive production and feeding his fan base.

Demar’s rating: 3.5
Adriel’s rating : 6

Love List: Real Spill, Forever, California Breeze

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CXI. WILLOW | COPINGMECHANISM

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:30:00 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Willows fifth studio album ‘’, Willow’s transition to rock and Paramore’s unrelenting influence.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: it's my fault, WHY?, hover like a GODDESS, Falling Endlessly

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CX. $oul $old $eparately | Freddie Gibbs

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Freddie Gibbs’s latest studio album ‘$oul $old $eparately’, which album is Gibbs’ best album and what the bunny motif means.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Couldn’t Be Done, PYS, Gold Rings, Grandma’s Stove

P.S. Shoutout to the Dinner Party group chat. Alfredo is still the best Gibbs album. – D

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CIX. age/sex/location | Ari Lennox

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 22:00:01 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Ari Lennox’s second studio album ‘age/sex/location’, what it’ll take for Lennox to really pop and her lowkey explicit lyrics.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 9

The Love List: POF, Leak It, Waste My Time, Pressure

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CVIII. God Did | DJ Khaled

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss DJ Khaled’s thirteenth studio album ‘GOD DID’, its lack of creativity and whether DJ Khaled is in on the joke.

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: GOD DID, BILLS PAID, THESE STREETS KNOW MY NAME

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CVII. Close to Home | Aitch

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 16:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Aitch’s debut studio album ‘Close to Home’, where Aitch fits in the UK music hierarchy and whether he’s a singles or albums artist.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: 1989, Baby, 100x, Fuego

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CVI. Traumazine | Megan Thee Stallion

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s second studio album ‘Traumazine’, Megan's stature among hip hop's elite rappers and the project's overshadowed features.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

The Love List: Anxiety, Flip Flop, Ms. Nasty, Plan B, Her

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CV. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 | Calvin Harris

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 23:05:38 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Calvin Harris’s sixth studio album ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’, whether he’s DJ Khalid East and why important artists like Tyler the Creator or Doja Cat aren’t on the project .

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: Incomplete

The Love List: New To You

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CIV. Renaissance | Beyoncé

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Beyoncé’s seventh studio album ‘Renaissance’, her unchallenged stature in music and how she’s maintained relevance over a 20+ year career.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7

**NO SKIPS** (Sorta)

The Love List: CUFF IT, BREAK MY SOUL, CHURCH GIRL, THIQUE

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CIII. Special | Lizzo

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 22:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lizzo fourth studio album ‘Special’, its relentless optimism and how nobody in the industry can do what she does.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8

**NO SKIPS**

The Love List: About Damn Time, Naked, The Sign, Everybody’s Gay, Birthday Girl

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CII. WASTELAND | Brent Faiyaz

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 22:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Brent Faiyaz’s sophomore album Wasteland, what the Bren Faiyaz sound is and how toxic a person can really be.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: LOOSE CHANGE, GHETTO GATSBY, PRICE OF FAME, DEAD MAN WALKING, ADDICTIONS, ROLE MODEL

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CI. Top Albums of the Year So Far

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 20:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss what they deem to be the best albums of 2022 so far, why Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Mr. Moral & the Big Steppers’ isn’t on their lists and their anticipation levels for the rest of the year.

Honorable mentions (00:01:50)

Top 5’s (00:11:25)

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Episode 100 Special

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 23:30:02 +0000

Album Mode is officially 100 episodes deep! Adriel and Demar do some reminiscing about their journey to where the pod is now, their favourite reviews and how CJRU was fertile breeding ground for a bunch of journalist's ideas.

C. Give or Take | Giveon

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 23:15:02 +0000

EPISODE 100 IS HERE!! This week Demar and Adriel discuss Giveon’s debut album ‘Give or Take’, the idea of a Giveon “sound” and his specific brand of toxicity.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

The Love List: Let Me Go, Make You Mine, dec 11th, Tryna Be, Remind Me

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XCIX. Honestly, Nevermind | Drake

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 23:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Drake’s seventh studio album ‘Honestly, Nevermind’, Drake finally being unpredictable and him returning to being an artist rather than a scientist.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Massive, Texts Go Green, Jimmy Cooks, Flights Booked

PS. Is there a single song that’s more out of place than Jimmy Cooks on this album? It’s a great song, but uh…

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XCVIII. Twelve Carat Toothache | Post Malone

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Post Malone’s latest album ‘Twelve Carat Toothache’, the deterioration of his sound and whether he needs to lean back towards hip hop.

Demar’s rating: 3.5
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Cooped Up, Lemon Tree, I Like You, Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol (kinda)

P.S. Had to knock this one down an extra .5 after listening to it a few more times after the pod - Demar

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XCVII. Forest In The City | UMI

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss UMI’s debut album ‘Forest in the City’, its remarkable cohesion and themes of energy transfer.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: what would u do?, whatever u like, bird’s eye view, wish that i could

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XCVI. Harry's House | Harry Styles

Thu, 26 May 2022 23:56:28 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Harry Styles’ latest album ‘Harry’s House’, its inconsistent songwriting and the difference between art and commercial

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Cinema, Matilda, Satellite, Daydreaming

P.S. Can’t wait to hear this album in my nearest Costco

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XCV. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers | Kendrick Lamar

Wed, 18 May 2022 23:30:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Kendrick Lamar’s latest album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’, black trauma and Auntie Diaries.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Father Time, N95, United in Grief, Rich Spirit, Savior, Silent Hill

P.S. That Sampha hook on Father Time tho!

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XCIV. Come Home The Kids Miss You | Jack Harlow + The Heart Part 5 | Kendrick Lamar

Thu, 12 May 2022 20:03:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Jack Harlow’s latest album ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’, whiteness in hip hop and Drake passing the torch. Later the duo gives their thoughts on Kenrick Lamar’s latest single ‘The Heart Part 5’ (01:04:00).

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List:
Churchill Downs, Like a Blade of Grass, Young Harleezy, Side Piece (After the beat switch)

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XCIII. I NEVER LIKED YOU | Future

Thu, 05 May 2022 01:45:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Future’s latest album ‘I NEVER LIKED YOU’, why it even exists and Future type beats

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 4

The Love List: CHICKENS, 712PM, KEEP IT BURNIN

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XCII. It's Almost Dry | Pusha T

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Pusha T’s latest album ‘It’s Almost Dry’, Pharrell vs Kanye and whether Pusha ever needs to switch up.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Brambleton, Neck & Wrist, Diet Coke, Scrape It Off, Hear Me Clearly, Just So You Remember

P.S. Who does Pusha T’s hair? I need someone to braid mine. - D

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XCI. Noughty By Nature | Digga D

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 23:00:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Digga D’s latest mixtape ‘Noughty By Nature’, the absence of sliding 808’s and the emergence of 50 Cent’s influence.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Why, Main Road, Stuck In the Mud, G Lock

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XC. Ramona Park Broke My Heart | Vince Staples

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 21:30:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Vince Staples fifth studio album ‘Ramona Park Broke My Heart’, and whether he’d be more popular if he released his discography backwards.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: When Sparks Fly, Aye! (Free the Homies), Magic, Slide

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LXXXIX. D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape | Dreamville

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 00:00:04 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Dreamville’s latest mixtape ‘D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape’, J.Cole’s stature in hip hop and whether Bas and A$AP Ferg should join forces.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Stick, Lifestyle, Heaven’s EP, Starting 5

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LXXXVIII. I Know Nigo | Nigo + The Will Smith - Chris Rock slap at the Oscars

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 22:45:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Nigo’s latest album ‘I Know Nigo’, Cozy Tapes 3 and whether Tyler, the Creator is the best rapper out. Then the duo talks about The Slap Heard Around The World, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars (47:56).

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Lost and Found Freestyle 2019, Come On, Let's Go, Hear Me Clearly, Remember

P.S. We’re talking about Latto’s album ‘777’, on Twitter Spaces on Wednesday March 30 at 6PM Eastern.

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LXXXVII. Tana Talk 4 | Benny The Butcher

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 12:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Benny the Butcher’s latest project ‘Tana Talk 4’, who’s the best rapper in Griselda and The Alchemist's brilliant production.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Johnny P’s Caddy, Weekends In The Perry’s, Thowy’s Revenge, 10 More Commandments

P.S. Yes, Stove God Cooks is a real rapper.

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LXXXVI. Who Cares? | Rex Orange County + Tyler, the Creator concert thoughts

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 03:39:43 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Rex Orange County’s latest album ‘WHO CARES?’, its orchestral production and flower boy 2

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: OPEN A WINDOW, THE SHADE, IF YOU WANT IT, SHOOT ME DOWN

P.S. If you weren’t at the Tyler concert, do you even exist?

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LXXXV. Duality | Luna Li

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 14:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel talk about Luna Li’s debut album ‘Duality’, her pristine production and how established already is.

Demar’s rating: 9.5

Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Silver Into Rain, What You’re Thinking, Flower, Star Stuff

P.S. R.I.P. The Notorious B.I.G., it's the 25th anniversary of Biggie Smalls' passing.

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LXXXIV. God Don't Make Mistakes | Conway The Machine + Euphoria thoughts

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 21:30:31 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review Conway the Machine’s latest album ‘God Don’t Make Mistakes’, its off-kilter production and the other side of gang life. Then the duo talk Euphoria, Dominic Fike’s appearance and their thoughts on the show overall. (54:25)

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Piano Love, Stressed, So Much More, Drumwork

P.S. Fexi Forever

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LXXXIII. 2 Alivë | Yeat

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Yeat’s latest album ‘2 Alivë’, its genre, lack of hooks and Yeat’s delivery

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 4.5

The Love List: Rackz on më, Doublë, Outsidë, Still Countin

P.S. Euphoria finale episode next week!
P.P.S. That bell!

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LXXXII. Ethereal | $not

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 23:00:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review $not’s third studio album ‘Ethereal’, scatterbrained production and non-existent cohesion

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Halle Berry, How U Feel, EYE EYE EYE, high IQ

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LXXXI. Few Good Things | Saba

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:56:14 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review Saba’s sophomore album ‘Few Good Things’, its sunny Sunday production and reminiscing

Demar’s rating: 6.5

Adriel’s rating: 7.5

The Love List: One Way or Every N***a With a Budget, Come My Way, Still, If I Had a Dollar, 2012

P.S. Happy Anniversary to Brent Faiyaz’s ‘Fuck the World’

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LXXX. Pink Moon | Pink Sweat$

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 23:30:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review Pink Sweat$ sophomore album Pink Moon, it’s surprising gospel influence and it’s oversimplified lyrics.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Waiting on You, Real Thing, Better, For Me

P.S. Congratulations to A$AP Rocky and Rihanna

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LXXIX. Brightside | Rich Brian

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 23:15:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review Rich Brian’s second EP ‘Brightside’, his witty lyrics and his wide range of influences.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: New Tooth, Lagoon, Getcho Mans

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LXXVIII. From a Birds Eye View | Cordae

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 21:13:20 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review Cordae’s second studio album ‘From a Bird’s Eye View’, Nas’ influence on his work and where Cordae fits in hip hop today.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Shiloh’s Intro, Champagne Glasses, Westlake High, Chronicles

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LXXVII. Dawn FM | The Weeknd + DS4Ever | Gunna thoughts

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:43:26 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel review The Weeknd’s fifth studio album ‘Dawn FM’, the idea of a new trilogy and the importance of Jim Carey. Then the duo briefly discusses Gunna’s third studio album ‘DS4Ever’ and why they’ll probably never review his music (59:25).

Demar’s rating: 8.5

Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: I Heard You’re Married, Is The Someone Else, Sacrifice, Out of Time, Best Friends, Gasoline, Take My Breath

P.S. Tell us Sacrifice and Out of Time aren’t Michael Jackson tracks! Those hooks!

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LXXVI. Top 10 Albums of 2021

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:59:07 +0000

Adriel has finally cleared health and safety protocols. This week he and Demar count down their top 10 albums of 2021. This year has been an explosion of music, with albums put on ice thawing out and burgeoning young talent, it’s been one of the best years for music in recent history. Everyone from Drake to PinkPantheress dropped new projects this year and it’s led to the hardest list the duo has ever constructed. First, hear the Demar and Adriel trade-off their 10-6 (00:03:30 ), then their top 5’s (00:29:15), finally honourable mentions and EP’s (01:00:30).

PS:
Demar’s top 10:
1. Vince Staples – Vince Staples
2. Collapsed in Sunbeams – Arlo Parks
3. When Smoke Rises - Mustafa
4. An Evening With Silk Sonic – Silk Sonic
5. Call Me If You Get Lost – Tyler, the Creator
6. To Hell with it – PinkPantheress
7. Planet Her – Doja Cat
8. Scenic Drive – Khalid
9. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – Little Simz
10. King’s Disease II – Nas

Adriel’s Top 10:
1. The Offseason – J. Cole
2. Mother – Cleo Sol
3. Call Me If You Get Lost – Tyler the Creator
4. Collapsed in Sunbeams – Arlo Parks
5. An Evening with Silk Sonic – Silk Sonic
6. Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan
7. We’re Alone in this Together – Dave
8. Sometimes I Introvert – Little Simz
9. CHOMP 2 – Russ
10. DO NOT LISTEN – Brent Faiyaz

LXXV. Roddy Rich | LIVE LIFE FAST

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 21:58:37 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Roddy Ricch’s highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Live Life Fast’, his new subject matter and what his core fans think he is versus what everyone else thinks he is.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: paid my dues, moved to miami, crash the party, hibachi

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LXXIV. Russ | Chomp 2

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 22:05:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Russ’ latest studio album ‘Chomp 2’, it’s gaps in lyricism, legendary features and producers.

Demar’s rating: 4.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Faith, Note To Self, Top of the World, Get It

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LXXIII. Khalid | Scenic Drive (The Tape)

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 21:35:58 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Kahlid’s latest EP ‘Scenic Drive’, his Usher-ness and his relationship with cars.
Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8.5
** NO SKIPS**
The Love List: All I feel is Rain, Present, Scenic Drive, Voicemail, Open, Brand New

P.S. QUIN’s vocals on Brand New are so elegant! Her exchanges with Khalid are otherworldly.

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LXXII. 2022 Grammy Nominations and Predictions

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 22:17:21 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, who they think will win and who they want to win each category.

Timestamps:

Record Of The Year ( 00:02:23 )
Album of the Year ( 00:09:00 )
Song of the Year (00:14:30 )
Best New Artist ( 00:18:35 )
Best Pop Solo Performance ( 00:20:50 )
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (00:24:25 )
Best Pop Vocal Album ( 00:27:25 )
Best R&B Performance (00:30:25 )
Best R&B Album ( 00:33:30 )
Best Rap Performance ( 00:36:15 )
Best Melodic Rap Performance ( 00:41:35 )
Best Rap Song ( 00:47:55)
Best Rap Album ( 00:51:55 )

P.S. Shoutout to our biggest snubs: Vince Staples, Arlo Parks, Dave and Unknown T

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LXXI. Adele | 30

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:18:11 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Adele’s fourth studio album “30”, her artistic imitations and cold confidence.

Demar’s rating: 7

Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Woman Like Me, To Be Loved, Love Is A Game, Easy On Me, All Night Parking

P.S. Those vocals on To Be Loved and Love Is A Game tho!

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LXX. Silk Sonic | An Evening With Silk Sonic

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:26:19 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Silk Sonic’s debut album “An Evening with Silk Sonic”, Silk Sonic’s unbelievable chemistry and 70’s revivalism.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 9.5

*NO SKIPS*
The Love List: Leave The Door Open, After Last Night, Skate, 777, Smokin Out The Window
P.S. This album has gotta be the ✨aesthetic✨ of the year

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LXVIX. Ed Sheeran | =

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:15:05 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Ed Sheeran’s fifth studio album “=”, it’s dated sound and how it’ll be the soundtrack to every department store.
Demar’s rating: 2.5
Adriel’s rating: 4
The Love List: 2Step, Leave Your Life
P.S. 2020’s might have left Ed Sheeran behind

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LXVIII. Kawhi Leonard Presents: Culture Jam (Vol. 1.)

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 20:27:00 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard’s compilation album “Kawhi Leonard Presents: Culture Jam Vol. 1” and the melding of sports, culture and music.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Everything Different, Waves, Bestie, No Thank You, Gotta Have It

P.S. This might be the greatest NBA-rap album of all-time

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LXVII. PinkPantheress | to hell with it

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:24:55 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss PinkPantheress’ debut mixtape “to hell with it”, what genre of music she makes and whether she’s the new sad girl.
Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

**NO SKIPS**

The Love List: Passion, Just For Me, Nineteen, I must apologize

P.S. We know Just For Me has its own music video but this Tik Tok and many others draw much are much more engaging visuals:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8hqNAGS/

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LXVI. Don Toliver | Life of a DON

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 23:40:13 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Don Toliver’s second studio album “Life of a Don”, whether it’s an R&B album and him being new age T-Pain.

Demar’s rating: 8.5

Adriel’s rating: 8

**NO SKIPS**

The Love List: 5X, Smoke, Company Pt 2., Way Bigger, Get Throwed

P.S.

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LXV. Meek Mill | Expensive Pain

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 18:42:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Meek Mill’s fifth studio album “Expensive Pain”, his imitations and why anyone listens to Meek Mill to begin with.

Demar’s rating: 4.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Intro, Cold Hearted III, Outside, We Slide

P.S.
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LXIV. YoungBoy Never Broke Again | Sincerely, Kentrell

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:54:27 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s third studio album “Sincerely, Kentrell” and why they won’t be reviewing him in the future (unless something drastically changes).

Demar’s rating: 3.5
Adriel’s rating: 3.5

** NO SKIPS **

The Love List: Bad Morning, Rich Shit, Toxic Punk, Life Support
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LXIII. Lil Nas X | Montero

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 20:10:30 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Nas X’s debut studio album “Montero”, it’s emotionality, triumphant production and what Lil Nas X means to hip hop.

Demar’s rating: 7.5

Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Montero, Industry Baby, Scoop, Life After Salem, Sun Goes Down

P.S. Take A Daytrip are complete hit machines. They have Mo Bamba, Panini, The Scotts, Montero and Industry Baby all under their belts.

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LXII. Kacey Musgraves | Star-Crossed

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 01:40:00 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Kacey Musgraves’ sixth studio album “Star-Crossed”, her flimsy lyrics and the project’s inoffensive production.

Demar’s rating: 6

Adriel’s rating: 5.5

The Love List: breadwinner, what doesn’t kill me, gracias a la vida

P.S. This is top tier coffee shop/grocery store music right here.

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LXI. Baby Keem | The Melodic Blue

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 21:45:44 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Baby Keem’s debut album “The Melodic Blue”, it’s non-committal production and Keem’s empty bars.

Demar’s rating: 5.5

Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Issues, Scars, Booman, Family Ties, Cocoa

P.S. Track 15: Vent, is what impotent rage sounds like.

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LX. Drake | Certified Lover Boy

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 22:59:57 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Drake’s sixth album “Certified Lover Boy”, his core sound and his stagnation as an artist.

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Champagne Poetry, N 2 Deep, Pipe Down, 7am on Bridle Path, Knife Talk

P.S. Fam, make the 20+ song albums stop. 86 minutes of music is egregious 😩

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LIX. Kanye West | Donda

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 01:06:42 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Kanye West’s tenth album “Donda”, his DJ Khaled-ness, hip hop catching up to Kanye’s production and the Drake-Kanye beef.

Demar’s rating: 3.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Hurricane, Moon, Remote Control, Junya, Keep My Spirit Alive

P.S. What is the point of any of the part 2’s? On this album??

(58:30) For our CLB Preview

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LVIII. Benny The Butcher | Pyrex Picasso

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 17:27:24 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Benny the Bucher’s latest EP “Pyrex Picasso”, its buttery flows and stank face inducing production.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. Benny himself said this project was made in one day, 3 years ago 👀 Timing is everything.

Heaters: PWRDRL, Pyrex Picasso, Fly With Me

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LVII. King's Disease II | Nas

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:04:52 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Nas’ 13th album “King’s Disease II”, its stellar features and Hit-boy reviving Nas’ career.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8

P.S. I don’t think Nas realized YKTV was a party song like A Boogie and YG did 😂

The Love List: Moments, EPMD 2, Nobody, Death Row East, Store Run

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LVI. Adolescence | Unknown T

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 19:42:24 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Unknown T’s sophomore mixtape “Adolescence” its consistency and Unknown T’s fully realized artistry.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 9

The Love List: 22 Double 0, Wonderland, Tugman Vacation, Goodums, WW2

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LV. Happier Than Ever | Billie Eilish

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 21:49:30 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Billie Eilish’s sophomore album “Happier Than Ever”, Eilish’s sexy songs, indecisive style and living her lyrics.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

P.S. When Billie said “And you best friend too” on I Didn’t Change My Number… 😯

The Love List: I Didn’t Change My Number, Oxytocin, Overheated, Therefore I Am, Male Fantasy

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LIV. We're All Alone In This Together | Dave

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 21:01:20 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Dave’s sophomore album “We’re All Alone In This Together”, contemplative lyrics and Dave’s Lil Wayne-esque rapping style.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Clash, Verdansk, Heart Attack, In the Fire, Three Rivers

P.S. Don’t forget to check out Leon Bridges’ ‘Gold-Diggers Sound’

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LIII. Sling | Clairo

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:08:42 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Clairo’s second album “Sling”, its one-note vocals and its unbelievable songwriting.

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 4

The Love List: Zinnias

P.S. We still love Diary 001 though

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LII. Vince Staples | Vince Staples

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 23:35:28 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Vince Staples’ eponymous fourth studio album “Vince Staples”, its warped carnival production and Staples’ past gang life.

Demar’s rating: 10
Adriel’s rating: 9.5

*NO SKIPS*

The Love List: LIL FADE, MHM, LAW OF AVERAGES, ARE YOU WUTH THAT?, SUNDOWN TOWN, THE SHINING, TAKE ME HOME LAKEWOOD MALL

P.S. This is Demar’s first-ever 10 out of 10

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LI. Top 5 Albums of 2021 (So Far)

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 19:43:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss what they deem the best albums of 2021 so far (In no particular order).

Top 5 (in no particular order)
-  Tyler the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost
-  Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
-  Mustafa - When Smoke Rises
-  Girl in Red - if i could make it go quiet
-  Chika – Once Upon a Time / J.Cole – The Off-season

Honourable mentions
-  Benny the Butcher Plugs I Met 2
-  Luna Li - Jams EP
-  Peter Rosenberg - Real Late
-  Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
-  Madlib - Sound Ancestors

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L. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST | Tyler The Creator

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 19:05:55 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Tyler, the Creator’s sixth album “Call Me If You Get Lost”, DJ Drama and whether Tyler, the Creator is alt-Kanye West

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 9

The Love List: SIR BAUDELAIRE, CORSO, WUSYANAME, LUMBERJACK, HOT WIND BLOWS, SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE, RISE!, JUGGERNAUT, SAFARI

P.S. FOLLOW US ON GREENROOM, we’re gonna be doing live shows soon @Demar & @AdrielSmiley

P.P.S. The only thing this album is missing is a Rick Ross feature.

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XLIX. Back of My Mind | H.E.R.

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 18:46:50 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss H.E.R’s debut album “Back of My Mind”, her loyalty to contemporary R&B and its banality

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Trauma, Damage, Process, Slide, We Made It

P.S. FOLLOW US ON GREENROOM @Demar & @AdrielSmiley

P.P.S. You’re gonna need your sunglasses for this one 😎

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XLVIII. Culture III | Migos

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 16:08:37 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Migos latest album “Culture III”, their prominence and evolution (or lack thereof)

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: What You See, Time For Me, Avalanche, Light It Up

P.S. We need more Migos on drill, please. Thanks.

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XLVII. The Voice of The Heroes | Lil Baby & Lil Durk

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 16:22:01 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Baby & Lil Dirk’s joint album “The Voice of the Heroes”, it’s aggressive averageness and who asked for this.

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Up The Side, Still Runnin’, Who I Want, That’s Facts

P.S. This album sounds best when you’re not paying attention to it, but what does that have to say about the actual music?

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XLVI. When Smoke Rises | Mustafa

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:04:29 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Mustafa’s debut project “When Smoke Rises”, black ‘folk’ music and Mustafa’s egolessness

Demar’s rating: 9.5
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

The Love List: Stay Alive, Air Forces, The Hearse, What About Heaven, Come Back, Ali

P.S. This is an Album Mode AOTY candidate 🔥🔥

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XLV. Sour | Olivia Rodrigo

Tue, 25 May 2021 15:56:25 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album “Sour”, and whether Rodrigo is a young Taylor Swift or Hayley Williams.

Demar’s rating: 6.75
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: brutal, deja vu, driver’s license, jealousy jealousy, traitor

P.S. God, its brutal out here.

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XLIV. The Off-Season | J. Cole

Wed, 19 May 2021 18:43:28 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss J.Cole’s latest album “The Off-Season”, it’s surprising production and Cole’s legacy.

Demar’s rating: 7.5
Adriel’s rating: 9

The Love List: 95 South, 100 Mil’, My Life, The Climb Back, Hunger on Hillside

P.S. That Morray feature though 🔥🔥

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XLIII. A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun | Aly & AJ

Tue, 11 May 2021 16:52:24 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Aly & AJ's latest album “ A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun”, its mediocre songwriting and its carefree aesthetic.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 4

The Love List: Break Yourself, Don’t Need Nothing, Personal Cathedrals,

P.S. Fam, the album name is waaaay too long.

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XLII. if i could make it go quiet | Girl in Red

Thu, 06 May 2021 13:14:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss girl in red’s latest album “if i could make it go quiet”, it’s alarming relatability and girl in red’s attention to detail.

Demar’s rating: 9.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Serotonin, hornylovesickmess, midnight love, ., Did You Come?

P.S. This album makes us wanna run at top speed through a forest.

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XLI. A Gangsta's Pain | Moneybagg Yo

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 18:52:48 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Moneybagg Yo’s latest album “A Gangsta's Pain”, its stunning features and his mediocrity.

Demar’s rating: 4
Adriel’s rating: 4.5

The Love List: Wockesha, Hard for the Next, Projects, Gangsta’s Pain

P.S. y’all don’t call him Moneybagg Yo all the time right? When you’re talking to your friends, y’all really say the “Yo” part every time you mention him?

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XL. Slime Language 2 | Young Stoner Life

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 21:51:35 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Young Stoner Life’s “Slime Language 2”, Demar’s dislike for Gunna and YSL’s indistinguishable artists

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

The Love List: Slatty, I Like, Ski, Came Out

P.S. Someone get YTB Trench some Vick’s

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XXXIX. Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine | Brockhampton

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 18:42:41 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss BROCKHAMPTON’s latest album “ Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine”, Jabari’s hooks and their legendary status as a group.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

The Love List: BUZZCUT, CHAIN ON ME, OLD NEWS, DONT SHOOT UP THE PARTY, COUNT ON ME

P.S. Matt’s flows are still buttery on every verse.

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XXXVIII. Fuck Your Expectations PT.1 | AG Club

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 19:38:45 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss AG Club’s BROCKHAMPTON-ness, funny lyrics and the importance of skits.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 7.5

** NO SKIPS**, maybe? 🤔

The Love List: UGUDBRU, A Bitch Curious, TRUTH, COLUMBIA, NOHO, HOT PINK

P.S. Should skits count when it comes to an album’s rating?

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XXXVII. Justice | Justin Bieber

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 18:22:36 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Justin Bieber’s barren lyrics, tone-deaf MLK interlude and his sonic journey.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

The Love List: Deserve You, Die For You, Loved By You, Love You Different.

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XXXVI. Once Upon a Time | Chika

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:16:09 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss CHIKA’s EP “Once Upon a Time”, her versatility and storytelling.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

**NO SKIPS**

The Love List: Fairy Tales, Hickory Dickory, Cinderella Pt. 1 & 2, Save You

P.S. the timing on this EP drop is amazing. This EP dropped on Friday, two days before the Grammy’s where she was nominated for best new artist.

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XXXV. Scary Hours 2 | Drake

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 15:42:26 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Drake’s EP “Scary Hours 2”,’ his dad bars and his collabs with Rick Ross.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: What’s Next, Lemon Pepper Freestyle

P.S. Is the Drake x Ross ever coming or what? Their chemistry is otherworldly

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XXXIV. Made In The Pyrex | Digga D

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 22:30:37 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Digga D’s sophomore mixtape “Made in the Pyrex”, patois and his devil may care attitude.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Bluuwuu, Woi, Chingy, Gun Man Sound, Window

P.S. Lots of Unknown T references in Digga’s bars, the collab tape has gotta be around the corner 🧐

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XXXIII. Terra Firma | Tash Sultana

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 13:46:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Tash Sultana’s sophomore album “Terra Firma” and their dreamy vocals.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Musk, Dream My Life Away, Pretty Lady

P.S. This album will probably kill in concert... remember when those were a thing? 😩

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XXXII. TYRON | slowthai

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 20:51:19 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Slowthai’s sophomore album “Tyron” and the duality of it’s two discs.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: CANCELLED, PLAY WITH FIRE & the entire second disc.

P.S. Happy 10 year anniversary to Frank Ocean’s nostalgia, ULTRA

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XXXI. Flowers for Vases / Descansos | Hayley Williams

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:49:47 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Hayley Williams’ sophomore album “ FLOWERS for VASES / descansos” and her aggressive mediocrity.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

The Love List: My Limb, Over Those Hills, Find Me Here, Just a Lover

P.S. Why does it sound like we’ve heard this album, 3 times already? Oh wait...

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XXX. Collapsed in Sunbeams | Arlo Parks

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:12:07 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Arlo Park’s debut album “Collapsed in Sunbeams”, her airy vocals and her despaired lyrics.

Demar’s rating: 9.5
Adriel’s rating: 9

The Love List: Bluish, Porta 400, Just Go, Green Eyes, Caroline

NO SKIPS

P.S. This is our AOTY so far.

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XXIX. Unbothered | Lil Skies

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:27:36 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Skies’ sophomore album “Unbothered”, his abysmal lyrics, generic production and faux sad aesthetic.

Demar’s rating: 2
Adriel’s rating: 2

The Love List: Riot...? 😬

P.S. If you’re a Lil Skies fan... why? Please tell us, we want to know 😂

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XXVIII. DemiDevil | Ashnikko

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:19:58 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Ashnikko’s debut mixtape “DEMIDEVIL”, her status as a rapper and whether everything needs to be ‘trappified’.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Daisy, Toxic, Slumber Party, Deal With it

P.S. The blue hair is a wig right??

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XXVII. Madvillainy | Madvillain

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:45:17 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Madvillain’s classic album “Madvillainy”, produced by the illustrious Madlib and rapped by the late MF DOOM. We go over it’s multiple layers, MF DOOM’s characters and legacy.

Demar’s rating: 9
Adriel’s rating: 8.5

*NO SKIPS*

The Love List: Accordion, All Caps, Fancy Clown, Raid, Strange Ways, Figaro

P.S. Raid, Strange Ways, Fancy Clown and All Caps were all used in The Boondocks animated sitcom.

P.P.S. Rest in Power MF DOOM.

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XXVI. Whole Lotta Red | Playboi Carti

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:29:03 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Playboi Carti’s highly anticipated second studio album “Whole Lotta Red”, his leaks and his scattered sound.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 3.5

The Love List: Place, I love you hate you, ILoveUIHateU, Teen X

P.S. This album is gonna kill at concerts

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XXV. Top 10 Albums of 2020

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 01:28:13 +0000

Finally, it’s the list you’ve all been waiting for! This week Demar and Adriel count down their top 10 albums of the year and their lists are filled with more than a few twists. First, hear the duo trade off their 10-6 (13:20), then their top 5’s (31:25)

P.S. Yes we will be reviewing Whole Lotta Red if (and we mean IF) it drops this Christmas.

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XXIV. Evermore | Taylor Swift

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 19:58:15 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Taylor Swift’s ninth studio album “Evermore”, its relationship with Folklore and her release cycle.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 4

The Love List: No body, No Crime, Champagne Problems, Happiness, Long Story Short

P.S. This album is oddly overproduced

P.P.S. We’re on Clubhouse, @demar and @Adrielsmiley

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XXIII. Man on the Moon III: The Chosen | Kid Cudi

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 01:16:08 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Kid Cudi’s seventh studio album “Man on the Moon III: The Chosen” and his influence.

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Heaven on Earth, Show Out, Sad People, Lovin’ Me

P.S. I only claim Lovin’ Me

~ Demar

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XXII. Nightmare Vacation | Rico Nasty

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 22:36:03 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Rico Nasty’s debut studio album “Nightmare Vacation”, the difference between albums and mixtapes in 2020 and the golden era of women in hip hop.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 4.5

The Love List: IPHONE, Let it Out, Smack a Bitch (remix), Back and Forth

P.S. The hook for Pussy Poppin... 😬😬

P.P.S. Aminé is fully in his bag rn, Back & Forth sounds like a Limbo cut more than a Rico Nasty track.

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XXI. Plastic Hearts | Miley Cyrus

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 20:00:48 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Miley Cyrus’ seventh studio album “Plastic Hearts”, genre switching and rockstars.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Prisoner, Plastic Hearts, Gimmie What I Want, Midnight Sky, Bad Karma, Edge of Midnight, Never Be Me,

P.S. Somehow Adriel doesn’t like WTF Do I Know 🤯

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XX. Good News | Megan Thee Stallion

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:33:07 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s debut album “Good News”, the beef and the misunderstanding of her strengths.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Shots Fired, Circles, Freaky Girls, What’s New

P.S. Nice For What walked so Circles could run

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XIX. So Help Me God! | 2 Chainz

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:02:05 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss 2 Chainz’s sixth album “So Help Me God!”, his maturity and his claim as southside Hov.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Save Me, Can't Go For That, Vampire, Wait For you to die, Toni

P.S. The samples on this one are nuts

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XVIII. Pluto x Baby Pluto | Future & Lil Uzi Vert

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:24:00 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Future and Lil Uzi Vert’s first collab album “Pluto x Baby Pluto” and Future’s influence.

Demar’s rating: 5
Adriel’s rating: 5

The Love List: Million Dollar Pay, Sleeping on the Floor, Plastic

P.S. Future saved this one 👀

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XVII. Emergency Tsunami | NAV

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:57:55 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss NAV’s latest mixtape “Emergency Tsunami” and his artistic stagnation.

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 4

The Love List: Friends & Family, Nasty, Vetement Socks

P.S. this is a strong contender for album art of the year

P.P.S. The album art for this mixtape is so good the music almost makes it look like false advertising.

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XV. Featuring Ty Dolla $ign | Ty Dolla $ign

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:40:41 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Ty Dolla Sign’s latest album “Featuring Ty Dolla Sign”, status as a feature artist and expectations.

Demar’s rating: 6
Adriel’s rating: 5.5

Demar’s Love List: Status, Temptations, Spicy, Nothing Like Your Exes

Adriel’s Love List: Your Turn, Time Will Tell, Track 6, Real Life

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XIV. Burden of Proof | Benny the Butcher

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 01:04:02 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Benny the Butcher’s sophomore album “Burden of Proof”, Benny’s story and Hit-boy’s hot streak.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Burden of Proof, Legend, War Paint, Timeless

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XIII. EDNA | Headie One

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 20:18:43 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Headie One’s debut album “EDNA”, it’s shifting sound and his unrefined songwriting.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Princess Cuts, Parlez Vous Anglais, Try Me, Bumpy Ride

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XII. Savage Mode 2 | 21 Savage & Metro Boomin

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 18:38:58 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’s sequel to their legendary EP “Savage Mode”, “Savage Mode II”, 21 Savage’s growth and Metro Boomin’s mastery.

Demar’s rating: 8.5
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Runnin, Slidin, Many Men, No Opp Left Behind, Steppin On Niggas, Rich Nigga Shit,

NO SKIPS

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XI. Nectar | Joji

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 23:53:07 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Joji’s second studio album “Nectar”, Filthy Frank and his sadness.

Demar’s rating: 8
Adriel’s rating: 8

The Love List: Ew, Modus, Tick Tock, Run, Daylight, Gimmie Love, NITROUS

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X. A Day in a Yellow Beat | Yellow Days

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:37:44 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Yellow Days’ second studio album “A Day in a Yellow Beat”, his expansive production and his unorthodox songwriting.

Demar’s rating: 7
Adriel’s rating: 6.5

The Love List: Getting Closer, The Curse, So Lost, Who’s There, Something Special

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IX. Top | YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:54:20 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Youngboy Never Broke Again’s third studio album “Top”, his audience and the tug of war that is his artistry.

Demar’s rating: 3
Adriel’s rating: 4.5

The Love List: Drug Addiction, Right Foot Creep, Off-Season, All In

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VIII. Detroit 2 | Big Sean

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 20:20:51 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Big Sean’s latest album "Detroit 2" and his legacy.

Demar’s rating: 5.5
Adriel’s rating: 7

The Love List: Body Language, Lucky Me, Don Life, Harder Than My Demons, Why Would I Stop?

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VII. Smile | Katy Perry

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 20:18:22 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Katy Perry’s latest album "Smile" and whether it’s viable to make happy music in 2020.

Demar’s rating: 6.5
Adriel’s rating: 6

The Love List: Harley’s in Hawaii, Smile, Champagne problems

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VI. King's Disease | Nas

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:00:10 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Nas’s latest album "King’s Disease", his modernized sound and how the culture has caught up to his pro-black rhetoric.

Demar's rating: 7.5
Adriel's rating: 7.5

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V. Teenage Fever | Kaash Paige & Laugh Now Cry Later | Drake

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:44:03 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Kaash Paige’s debut album "Teenage Fever" and whether raw talent is enough. (56:25) Then the duo talk about Drake’s latest single "Laugh Now Cry Later" and Demar shares why he thinks Drake is now New York Melo.

Demar's rating: 5
Adriel's rating: 7

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IV. Limbo | Aminé

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 18:44:40 +0000

This week Adriel and Demar discuss Aminé’s sophomore album "Limbo", his growth and young adulthood.

Demar's rating: 7.5
Adriel's rating: 8.5

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III. What Could Possibly Go Wrong | Dominic Fike

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 16:26:17 +0000

This week Demar and Adriel discuss Dominic Fike’s debut album "What Could Possibly Go Wrong" and the root of his amorphous genre-bending sound.

Demar's rating: 6
Adriel's rating: 7

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II. Folklore | Taylor Swift + No Pressure | Logic

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 19:44:09 +0000

Welcome to Album Mode‘s first doubleheader!

First, Adriel and Demar discuss "folklore", Taylor Swift’s latest stripped down and contemplative album made entirely in quarantine.

Demar's rating: 9
Adriel's rating: 8

Then at (1:08:10) the duo examines Logic’s retirement album No Pressure, his blackness and Logic’s place in hip hop culture.

Demar's rating: 8
Adriel's rating: 8

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I. Rise Above Hate | Unknown T

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:38:03 +0000

In the inaugural episode of Album Mode, Adriel Smiley and Demar Grant discuss the Unknown T’s debut project "Rise Above Hate". Unknown T is one of the rising stars of the UK drill scene and since clearing a case he’s been on a hot streak of singles building anticipation for the project. "Rise Above Hate" comes through on Unknown T's promise and potential earning Grant and Smiley’s praise as one of the best albums of the year.

Demar's rating: 8
Adriel's rating: 8

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