The Chainsmokers, Sick Boy | Album Review
![The Chainsmokers, Sick Boy [Photo Credits: Disruptor / Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-chainsmokers-sick-boy-album-disruptor-columbia.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
DJ/production duo The Chainsmokers – Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart – return with their second, full-length album, ‘Sick Boy.’
The Musical Hype
Sifting through all of the musical hype
The Musical Hype
Sifting through all of the musical hype
Read MoreThe Chainsmokers, Sick Boy | Album Review
AJ Mitchell, No Plans | Track Review
![AJ Mitchell, No Plans [📷: Epic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/aj-mitchell-no-plans-epic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
On his latest single, “No Plans,” rising teen-pop artist AJ Mitchell is looking to enjoy his youth while it lasts, putting aside the cares of the world.
Ariana Grande, Imagine | Track Review
![Ariana Grande, Imagine [Photo Credit: Republic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ariana-grande-imagine-republic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Continuing an impressive run in 2018, Ariana Grande delivers her second post-Sweetener single in lush, sensually-tinged slow jam, “Imagine.”
Robin Thicke, Testify | Track Review
![Robin Thicke, Testify [📷: Thicke Music / EMPIRE]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/robin-thicke-testify-thicke-music-empire.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Following a devastating, tumultuous couple of years, Robin Thicke ‘gets back on track’ with his authentic, honest, and soulful 2018 single, “Testify.”
45 Best Albums of 2018 | Year in Review List
Albums courtesy of Janelle Monáe, Arctic Monkeys, Ghost, Father John Misty, and Pusha T round out the top-five of the 45 Best Albums of 2018.
Getting to Know… Bear Witness | Interview 🎤
![Getting to Know... Bear Witness [Photo Credit: Bear Witness]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/getting-to-know-bear-witness-1.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
For Interview #16 in our ‘Getting to Know’ series, we ‘chew the phat’ with Matt Georgiou, the frontman of UK alternative band Bear Witness.
Reaction: 2019 Grammy Award Nominations
![Reaction: 2019 Grammy Nominations [Photo Credits: Republic, MCA Nashville, Bad Boy, Cash Money, Columbia, Interscope, Elektra]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/reaction-2019-grammy-nominees.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
After spending some time analyzing the 2019 Grammy Award Nominations, Brent Faulkner gives his ‘two cents’ about the good and the bad.
The 17 Worst Songs of 2018 | Year in Review Playlist
![The 17 Worst Songs of 2018 [Photo Credits: Pixabay, Scumgang, Columbia, Warner Bros., Atlantic, Filthy Fangs, Republic, RCA, B.H.A.D. Music]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-17-worst-songs-of-2018.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
“The 17 Worst Songs of 2018” features some truly questionable music courtesy of Bella Thorne, Lil Xan, Kanye West, Lil Pump, and Noah Cyrus among others.
Meek Mill, Championships | Album Review
![Meek Mill, Championships [📷: Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/meek-mill-championships-atlantic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Meek Mill makes an energetic, inspired fourth studio album with Championships, his first full-length release since being released from prison.
HRVY, ‘I Don’t Think About You’ | Track Review
![HRVY, I Don't Think About You - Single [Photo Credit: Virgin EMI]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/hrvy-i-dont-think-about-you-virgin-emi.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Rising British pop musician HRVY continues to ‘make a case for himself’ on the chill, easy-going ‘I miss my ex- anthem,’ “I Don’t Think About You.”
Badflower, ‘Heroin’ | Track Review
![Badflower, OK I'M SICK [📷: Big Machine]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/badflower-ok-im-sick-big-machine.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
LA alternative band Badflower continues a massively successful promo campaign with “Heroin,” the third advance single from ‘OK, I’M SICK.’
Stephen Puth, ‘Sexual Vibe’ | Track Review
![Stephen Puth, Sexual Vibe [📷: Arista]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/stephen-puth-sexual-vibe-arista.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Rising pop musician Stephen Puth, the younger brother of Grammy-nominated pop artist Charlie Puth, introduces himself to the world with a “Sexual Vibe.”
ZAYN, ‘Good Years’ | Track Review
![ZAYN, Icarus Falls [📷: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/zayn-icarus-falls-rca-1.jpg?fit=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Eight singles into his highly-anticipated sophomore album, ‘Icarus Falls,’ pop heartthrob ZAYN finds a much better, more engaging fit with ballad “Good Years.”
XXXTENTACION, SKINS | Album Review
![XXXTENTACION, Skins [Photo Credits: Bad Vibes Forever / EMPIRE]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/xxxtentacion-skins-bad-vibes-forever-empire.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1)
Posthumous project ‘SKINS’ should play well to the XXXTENTACION base, but as an album, it’s ‘undercooked’ as opposed to being ‘well done.’
101 Best Songs of 2018 | Playlist 🎧
Childish Gambino, Hozier, Drake, Janelle Monáe, Drake, and Shawn Mendes earn songs in the top-five of the 100 Best Songs of 2018.
Reuben Gray, ‘Till the Lights Go Out’ | Track Review
Gifted, rising 17-year old English pop musician Reuben Gray delivers an electrifying, ‘must-hear,’ debut single, “Till the Lights Go Out.”
Getting to Know…The Scared Crows | Interview
For the 15th ‘Getting to Know’ Interview, frontman Tyler Forrest gives us the lowdown on his rising Los Angeles rock band, The Scared Crows.
Jay Rock, Shit Real | Track Review 🎵
![Jay Rock, Redemption [Photo Credit: Interscope]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/jay-rock-redemption-interscope.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
West Coast rapper Jay Rock enlists Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley for his tough, ‘trill’ new addendum to Redemption, “Shit Real.”
Gucci Mane, ‘BiPolar’ | Track Review
![Gucci Mane, BiPolar [Photo Credit: Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/gucci-mane-bipolar-atlantic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Perhaps Gucci Mane, assisted by Quavo won’t change any lives with single “BiPolar,” but he definitely entertains on this banging flex-fest.
Grimes, ‘We Appreciate Power’ | Track Review
![Grimes, We Appreciate Power [Photo Credit: 4AD]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/grimes-we-appreciate-power-4ad.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
The ever-distinct Canadian singer/songwriter Grimes returns with a ‘powerful’ new single, assisted by American singer HANA, “We Appreciate Power.”
Alessia Cara, The Pains of Growing | Album Review
![Alessia Cara, The Pains of Growing [📷: Def Jam]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/alessia-cara-the-pains-of-growing-def-jam.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Following a three-year hiatus, Grammy-winning Canadian pop artist Alessia Cara comes back strong on her sophomore album, ‘The Pains of Growing.’
Kodak Black, ‘Calling My Spirit’ | Track Review
![Kodak Black, Calling My Spirit [Photo Credit: Atlantic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/kodak-black-calling-my-spirit-atlantic.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Perhaps the lethargic flow and distinct voice of rapper Kodak Black will appeal to some on “Calling My Spirit,” the record falls short by my estimation.
Arctic Monkeys, ‘Anyways’ | Track Review
![Arctic Monkeys, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - Single [Photo Credit: Domino]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/artic-monkeys-tranqulity-base-hotel-casino-single-domino.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Post-Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys return with another fantastic new single, “Anyways,” in a similar vein.
Mark Ronson, ‘Nothing Breaks Like a Heart’ | Track Review
![Mark Ronson, Nothing Breaks Like a Heart [Photo Credit: Sony]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mark-ronson-nothing-breaks-like-a-heart-sony.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
Mark Ronson, assisted by Miley Cyrus (vocals) and Jamie xx (production), delivers a stellar, retro country-pop record with “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart.”
ZAYN, ‘Rainberry’ | Track Review
With the announcement of his sophomore album, ‘Icarus Falls,’ ZAYN drops his seventh advance single, “Rainberry,” which has its moments.
Badflower, ‘x ANA x’ | Track Review
LA alternative band Badflower delivers an energetic, anxiety-driven single on “X ANA X,” the 2nd advance single from their 2019 debut album, ‘OK, I’M SICK.’
The 1975, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships | Album Review
![The 1975, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships [📷: Interscope]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/the-1975-a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships-interscope.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
The 1975 delivers an interesting LP with ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships’ that’s imperfect, but chocked-full of interesting ideas.