~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

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.

TOOL, Fear Inoculum | Album Review 💿

After a 13-year hiatus, alternative metal collective TOOL returns with their highly anticipated, well-rounded, fifth LP, Fear Inoculum.

~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

Rod Wave, Westside Connection | Song Review 🎵

Once more, melodic rapper Rod Wave wears his heart on his sleeve in his first single of 2025, “Westside Connection.” It’s solid, not groundbreaking.

Jordan Adetunji, Too Many Women (Ft. kwn) | Song Review 🎵

Belfast singer Jordan Adetunji, assisted by kwn, drops “Too Many Women,” a short but sweet single from his 2025 album, A Jaguar’s Dream.

Japanese Breakfast, Orlando in Love | Song Review 🎵

Michelle Zauner & Japanese Breakfast warm up 2025 with the classy & enigmatic “Orlando in Love,” the promo single from For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women).

Mac Miller, 5 Dollar Pony Rides | Song Review 🎵

Mac Miller sounds phenomenal on his posthumous single, “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” from his second posthumous album, Balloonerism.

Teddy Swims, Are You Even Real (Ft. Givēon) | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated pop artist Teddy Swims taps Grammy-nominated R&B artist Givēon for the assist on the soulful duet, “Are You Even Real.”

Brett Eldredge, Gorgeous | Song Review 🎵

Country singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge brings a heaping dose of authenticity and empowerment on his debut single as an independent artist, “Gorgeous.”

Rose Gray, Party People | Song Review 🎵

Rose Gray brings the ‘party’ in her electrifying dance-pop song, “Party People,” the fifth single from her debut album, Louder, Please.

Armin van Buuren, Norma Jean Martine & LAWRENT, Euphoria | Song Review 🎵

Armin van Buuren, Norma Jean Martine, and LAWRENT, with Alok, deliver a brief but potent dance gem with “Euphoria.”

Little Simz, Hello, Hi | Song Review 🎵

Confident and talented British rapper Lil Simz ‘cooks’ on her brief but potent drill-infused rap banger, “Hello, Hi.”

Zerb & Wiz Khalifa, Location | Song Review 🎵

Brazilian DJ/producer Zerb, assisted by Ty Dolla $ign, and Wiz Khalifa, warm up those frigid January 2025 temps with the piping hot dance cut, “Location.”

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