~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

Green Day, Revolution Radio | Album Review 💿

Green Day delivers a respectable, well-rounded album with ‘Revolution Radio.’ It’s no classic, but definitely satisfying all said and done.

Norah Jones, Day Breaks | Album Review 💿

Norah Jones makes a stunning return to form on ‘Day Breaks’, her first new album in four years (‘Little Broken Hearts’, 2012).

Solange, A Seat at the Table | Album Review 💿

Solange delivers a homerun on A Seat at the Table. ‘Seat’ encompasses feelings, attitudes, and reality for black men and women. A socially-conscious gem.

Bon Iver, 22, A Million | Album Review 💿

Bon Iver, led by Justin Vernon, delivers an ambitious, compelling, and enigmatic third studio effort with 22, A Million.

Ty Dolla $ign, Campaign | Album Review 💿

Ty Dolla $ign returns confidently on his latest mixtape, Campaign, which goes beyond mixtape status but doesn’t quite achieve album status.

Idina Menzel Exceeds Expectations on ‘Idina.’

Idina Menzel exceeds expectations Idina. Clearly, personal touch, authenticity, and awesome vocals go a long way to making the LP successful.

Luke Bryan Delivers More of the Same on ‘Here’s to the Farmer’

Country superstar Luke Bryan doesn’t bring much “new” to the table on 2016 EP, Farm Tour…Here’s to the Farmer.

Shawn Mendes, Illuminate | Album Review

Canadian teen-pop heartthrob Shawn Mendes goes bigger, more mature on enjoyable, respectable, sophomore album, 'Illuminate'.

Grouplove, Big Mess | Album Review 💿

Alternative, indie-pop collective Grouplove returns after a three-year hiatus with its third album, ‘Big Mess,’ with superb results. 

Usher, Hard II Love | Album Review 💿

He may be 38 years old, but Usher continues to showcase an incredible amount of swag on his eighth studio album, ‘Hard II Love’. 

~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

The Chainsmokers, Summertime Friends | Track Review 🎵

On the respectable “Summertime Friends,” The Chainsmokers – specifically Drew Taggart – recalls the night he met his girlfriend.

The Rolling Stones, Angry | Track Review 🎵

The Rolling Stones deliver and enjoyable, well-rounded rock joint with “Angry,” the lead single from their 26th studio album, Hackney Diamonds.

Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion, Bongos | Track Review 🎵

Grammy winning rappers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion join forces once more for “Bongos,” another bold, raunchy, and unapologetic banger.

Måneskin, HONEY (ARE U COMING?) | Track Review 🎵

Popular Italian rock band Måneskin drop an enjoyable, energetic, and L-O-U-D single, “HONEY (ARE U COMING?)” post-RUSH!.

Nicki Minaj, Last Time I Saw You | Track Review 🎵

Nicki Minaj, often brash and unapologetic, shows her versatility singing and rapping emotionally on her single, “Last Time I Saw You.”

Doja Cat, Demons | Track Review 🎵

Grammy winner Doja Cat comes out swinging on her hard-nosed, malicious-sounding, unapologetic rap banger, “Demons.”

Brent Faiyaz, Moment Of Your Life | Track Review 🎵

Brent Faiyaz, with the help of the lovely and talented Coco Jones, delivers a fantastic R&B duet with “Moment of Your Life.”

Selena Gomez, Single Soon | Track Review 🎵

Selena Gomez returns with her first single of 2023, “Single Soon,” which is enjoyable enough but not groundbreaking or particularly innovative.

Kirk Franklin, Try Love | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin and his anointed choir preach love on the exuberant, uplifting single, “Try Love.”

Conan Gray, Winner | Track Review 🎵

Always consistent, versatile singer/songwriter Conan Gray bring the heat, once again, on his second straight winning single of 2023, “Winner.”

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