~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

Mike Shinoda, Post Traumatic | Album Review

Mike Shinoda masterfully translates grief and pain into a terrific album with his full-length, debut solo album, ‘Post Traumatic.’

Jay Rock, Redemption | Album Review 💿

After nearly a three-year hiatus, West Coast rapper Jay Rock returns with an enjoyable, well-rounded third studio album, ‘Redemption.’

5 Seconds of Summer, Youngblood | Album Review

Aussie pop band 5 Seconds of Summer returns in compelling fashion on their third album, ‘Youngblood’ with a sleek, modern pop sound.

‘Look at Me!’: Reminiscing Briefly on the Music of XXXTentacion

Following the news of the tragic death of Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy aka XXXTentacion, I briefly reminisce on the music I covered by the rapper.

Nas, NASIR | Album Review

Following a six-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated rap icon Nas finally returns with his highly-anticipated 11th studio album, ‘NASIR.’

Beyoncé & Jay-Z (The Carters), EVERYTHING IS LOVE | Album Review

Beyoncé and Jay-Z (The Carters) have the entire world shook with their surprise collaborative studio album, ‘EVERYTHING IS LOVE.’

Big Freedia, 3rd Ward Bounce (EP) | Album Review

New Orleans bounce musician Big Freedia returns chocked-full of attitude, energy, and feistiness on her electrifying EP, ‘3rd Ward Bounce.’ 

Dave Matthews Band, Come Tomorrow | Album Review

Following a six-year hiatus, popular, eclectic rock band Dave Matthews Band, comes back in top-notch form on ‘Come Tomorrow.’

Lykke Li, so sad so sexy | Album Review

Swedish alternative pop standout Lykke Li returns following a four-year hiatus with a short-but-sweet fourth studio album, ‘so sad so sexy.’

Ne-Yo, Good Man | Album Review 💿

Grammy-winning R&B artist Ne-Yo returns following a three-year hiatus with an enjoyable, overall well-rounded seventh studio album with ‘Good Man.’

~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

Jamie xx, Dafodil | Song Review 🎵

“Dafodil” is a surefire winner from Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Jamie xx. He’s assisted by Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear.

Victoria Monét, SOS (Sex on Sight) | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winner Victoria Monét, assisted by Grammy-winner Usher, hits all the right notes on the sexy single, “SOS (Sex on Sight).”

Doechii, BOOM BAP | Song Review 🎵

Sickening Florida rapper Doechii drops a brief but potent bop in “BOOM BAP” ahead of her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal.

Central Cee, Billion Streams Freestyle | Song Review 🎵

UK rapper Central Cee has a lot to say (sort of) on the brief “Billion Streams,” the B-side of his two-song single, Bolide Noir.

Coldplay, WE PRAY | Song Review 🎵

Decorated alt-rock collective Coldplay enlists Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and TINI for the thoughtful, uplifting faith-driven single, “WE PRAY.”

Gucci Mane, Rich N****z | Song Review 🎵

Gucci Mane, fueled by ill production by Zaytoven, drops a fierce rap banger with “Rich N*ggaz,” the second track from his Greatest Of All Trappers – Gangsta Grillz Edition LP.

Isabel LaRosa, Pretty Boy | Song Review 🎵

Gen-Z Cuban American pop singer/songwriter Isabel LaRosa is obsessed with this fine boy in her brief but entertaining, engaging, and relatable single, “Pretty Boy.”

Hozier, Nobody’s Soldier | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated Irish singer/songwriter Hozier continues an awesome year with another stellar single, the anti-war-themed “Nobody’s Soldier.”

Mary J. Blige, Breathing | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige taps fellow New Yorker, rapper Fabolous for the enjoyable, amorous single, “Breathing.”

Benson Boone, Pretty Slowly | Song Review 🎵

Handsome and talented pop singer/songwriter Benson Boone strikes gold once more with his honest, breakup-fueled single, “Pretty Slowly.”

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