~ Reviews 💿 ~

Reviews: The Musical Hype

Ah, welcome to the reviews on The Musical Hype! Albums, EPs, and songs [singles + tracks] of various styles are evaluated here – we don’t discriminate! All reviews are also available on the home page. Both album and song reviews are assigned 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.

5 out of 5 stars = Masterpiece 🤩

4.5 out of 5 stars = Near Masterpiece 🤩

4 out of 5 stars = Excellent 😀

3.5 out of 5 stars = Very Good 😀

3 out of 5 stars = Average / Good 🙂 👌

2.5 out of 5 stars = Below Average… it’s giving sus  😏 😑 🫤

2 out of 5 stars = Mediocre 👎 😡

1.5 out of 5 stars, 1 out of 5 stars, 0.5 out of 5 stars, 0 out of 5 stars = BAD… 🤬


~ Album Reviews 💿 ~

Album reviews 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. It should not come as a surprise to see the analysis run > 1000 words.


~ Check out the most recent posts ⬇️ in this hyperlinked gallery 😎 🤘 ~


~ Get your fix of album reviews in all their glory, starting from most recent to oldest 😎 🤘 ~

Rex Orange County, Pony | Album Review 💿

After a two-year hiatus, British singer/songwriter Rex Orange County (Alex O’Connor) delivers an enjoyable, if imperfect third studio LP, Pony.

Kanye West, JESUS IS KING | Album Review 💿

After several delays, Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West drops his clean, Christian-themed rap-gospel album, JESUS IS KING. It has its moments.

G-Eazy, Scary Nights | Album Review 💿

Following the release of an EP of ‘B-Sides’ in September 2019, G-Eazy returns with a moderately enjoyable eight-track EP, ‘Scary Nights,’ in October.

Fantasia, Sketchbook | Album Review 💿

After releasing a so-so 5th studio LP, and an underrated holiday effort, Grammy-winning R&B artist Fantasia makes a strong return with Sketchbook.

SuperM, SuperM – The 1st Mini Album | Album Review 💿

K-pop supergroup SuperM, comprised of seven members from Shinee, Exo, and NCT, shine on their debut EP, SuperM – The 1st Mini Album.

Summer Walker, Over It | Album Review 💿

Up and coming R&B artist Summer Walker shines on her highly anticipated debut album, OVER IT, which is dominated by matters of the heart.

Carlos Vara, Have You Ever Seen a Boy Break Down? | Album Review 💿

After dropping some dynamic singles, up and coming LGBTQ pop musician Carlos Vara shines on his debut EP, Have You Ever Seen a Boy Break Down.

Brittany Howard, Jaime | Album Review 💿

Brittany Howard, best known as the front woman of Alabama Shakes, impresses on her eclectic, reflective debut solo album, JAIME.

Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Lee | Album Analysis 💿

After penning a review for The Urban Music Scene, Brent Faulkner provides deeper analysis into JIMMY LEE, the superb fifth studio album by Raphael Saadiq.

Sam Fender, Hypersonic Missiles | Album Review 💿

On his debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles,’ British singer/songwriter Sam Fender shows off mature musicianship with creative songwriting and capable vocals.

~ Song Reviews 🎵 ~

Song Reviews on the site tend to follow a format that includes an intro paragraph with background information, a body, comprised of at least one paragraph of analysis, and a concluding paragraph (older reviews) or statement (more recent reviews) that ‘put a cap’ on things. Song reviews generally run a minimum of 250 words with many running > 300 words.


~ Check out the most recent posts ⬇️ in this hyperlinked gallery 😎 🤘 ~


~ Get your fix of song reviews in all their glory, starting from most recent to oldest 😎 🤘 ~

Cardi B, Outside | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B drops her first single of 2025, the entertaining, hard-nosed, and malicious-sounding banger, “Outside.”

Jay Kurdy, You Gave Me Music | Song Review 🎵

Jay Kurdy has been building something interesting with his releases, and "You Gave Me Music" featuring Rachel Chambers confirms he's hitting his stride.

Gunna Won’t Stop | Song Review 🎵

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½ Grammy-nominated rapper Gunna makes it clear that he is in it for the long haul on his unstoppable single, “Won’t Stop.”

Kane Brown, 2 Pair | Song Review 🎵

Kane Brown doesn’t just buy one pair: he needs two pairs of everything on his brief but entertaining single, “2 Pair.”

Kevin Abstract & Dominic Fike, Geezer | Song Review 🎵

Kevin Abstract and Dominic Fike collaborate on “Geezer,” an intriguing promo single from Abstract’s 2025 album, Blush.

Chris Brown, Holy Blindfold | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning R&B superstar Chris Brown offers a welcome change of pace on his kinder, gentler single, “Holy Blindfold.”

Kehlani, Folded | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Kehlani brings her A Game on “Folded,” among the best songs of her fabulous career.

J.M.Dee, Bittersweet Vacancy | Song Review 🎵

J.M.Dee has never been one to color inside the lines, and his latest offering, "Bittersweet Vacancy," proves he's doubling down on that philosophy.

GloRilla, Typa | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated Memphis rapper GloRilla is aggressive regarding love on “Typa,” a single that prominently samples a beloved 2000s Keyshia Cole song.

Oliver Anthony Music, Scornful Woman | Song Review 🎵

After prejudging “Scornful Woman,” I repent: Oliver Anthony Music delivers a song featuring epic vocals, thrilling music, and heartfelt, sincere songwriting.

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