Albums & EPs 💿 of various styles are evaluated in this section of The Musical Hype – we don’t discriminate. Album reviews are also available on the home page.
More often than not, the album reviews on the site tend to follow a track-by-track format, commencing with an intro paragraph comprised of background information, and concluding paragraph that wraps things up. Also, GEMS – the best, highly recommended tracks – are selected at the end of each review. Each album also receives a star rating, on a scale of 0 – 5 (½ stars are used as well), that is visible at the beginning and ending of the review.
= MASTERPIECE
= NEAR MASTERPIECE
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= AVERAGE / GOOD
= BELOW AVERAGE
= MEDIOCRE
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= BAD
![Joji, BALLADS 1 [Photo Credits: 88rising / 12Tone Music]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/joji-ballads-1-88rising-12tone-music.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Rising alternative R&B artist Joji showcases ample potential on his moody, full-length, debut studio album, ‘BALLADS 1.’ The vibes are real. 88rising truly is rising. Joji is on the roster of the mass media company, which is getting incredible buzz as a record label highlighting Asian artists. The alternative R&B Read more
![BROCKHAMPTON, iridescence [Photo Credit: QUESTION EVERYTHING / RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/brockhampton-iridescence-rca.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
LA-based hip-hop collective BROCKHAMPTON captivates on their major label debut album, ‘iridescence,’ their fourth album overall.
![Khalid, Suncity [Photo Credit: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/khalid-suncity-rca.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Grammy-nominated urban contemporary artist Khalid returns with a 21-minute project, ‘Suncity’ which is chocked-full of vibes if nothing else.
![Ella Mai [Photo Credit: 10 Summers / Interscope]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ella-mai-10-summers-interscope.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
British R&B singer Ella Mai delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded contemporary R&B album with her self-titled debut. It’s much more than just “Boo’d Up.”
![Quavo, QUAVO HUNCO [📷: Quality Control/Motown/Capitol]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/quavo-quavo-huncho-quality-control-motown-capitol.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Quavo releases his highly-anticipated debut album, ‘QUAVO HUNCHO.’ While the LP has its moments, the rapper also seems to run short on fresh ideas.
![T.I., DIME TRAP [Photo Credits: Epic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ti-dime-trap-epic.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Self-proclaimed ‘King of the South’ T.I. delivers plenty of worthwhile moments on his tenth studio album, ‘Dime Trap.’
![Twenty One Pilots, Trench [📷 : Fueled by Ramen]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/twenty-one-pilots-trench-fueled-by-ramen.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Following a three-year hiatus, Grammy-winning alternative duo Twenty One Pilots make a strong comeback on their fifth studio album, ‘Trench.’
![Logic, YSIV [📷: Def Jam]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/logic-ysiv-def-jam.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Grammy-nominated rapper Logic remains on autopilot throughout the course of his highly-anticipated, fourth studio album, ‘YSIV.
![Lil Wayne, Tha Carter V [Photo Credit: Young Money]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/lil-wayne-tha-carter-v-young-money.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
Despite its incredibly delayed release, Grammy-winning southern rapper Lil Wayne exceeds expectations on the highly-anticipated ‘Tha Carter V.’
![Prince, Piano & A Microphone [Photo Credit: Warner Bros.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/prince-piano-a-microphone-1983-warner-bros.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
‘Piano & a Microphone 1983’ shows Prince in a more creative, intimate, and rawer setting. His brilliance and musicianship are indisputable.
![JMSN, Velvet [Photo Credit: White Room]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jmsn-velvet-white-room.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
JMSN drops an enjoyable, well-rounded R&B album with ‘Velvet.’ “Levy,” “Talk is Cheap” & “So Bad” rank among the crème de la crème of the LP.
![Josh Groban, Bridges [📷: Reprise]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/josh-groban-bridges-reprise.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1)
One of the most consistent artists in the game, Josh Groban maintains his superb musicianship throughout the course of ‘Bridges.’