~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

D’Angelo, Black Messiah | Album Review

Grammy-winning, neo-soul standout D’Angelo reenergizes R&B on his triumphant, long-awaited comeback album, 'Black Messiah.'

Takeaways: J. Cole, ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’

J. Cole surprised everyone by dropping his third album, '2014 Forest Hills Drive' with short notice. Here are five takeaways after listening to the album.

Takeaways from Mary J. Blige’s, ‘The London Sessions’

Maybe it took Mary J. Blige “a whole damn year” to heal from heartache, but 'The London Sessions' is an album listenable beyond that short span of time.

Rick Ross Aims Shallowly On ‘Hood Billionaire’

Rick Ross' 2nd album of 2014 ('Hood Billionaire') is shallow thematically. A conceptual effort, his approach at contrasting the past is mildly successful.

Chrisette Michele, The Lyricists’ Opus (EP) | Album Review 💿

R&B diva Chrisette Michele sounds as if she was free to deliver the kind of project that she wanted to on EP 'The Lyricists’ Opus'.

Big K.R.I.T., Cadillactica | Album Review

With his major-label sophomore album, Cadillactica, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. constructs an album that goes above and beyond the expectations.

Five Takeaways from Nick Jonas’ ‘Nick Jonas’

Nick Jonas is now a grown man, and 'Nick Jonas' reflects his newfound male hood. Here are five takeaways from the album for your reading pleasure!

Aretha Franklin Is Enthusiastic, Flawed On ‘Great Diva Classics’

Aretha Franklin may be the queen, but even musical royalty falls short sometimes. 'Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics' is a perfect example.

Stevie Nicks, 24 Karat Gold – Songs from the Vault | Album Review

Consistent and enjoyable throughout, Stevie Nicks reminds everyone why she’s such a revered musician on '24 Karat Gold.'

U2 Lack Vintage Magic on ‘Songs of Innocence’ 

All in all, 'Songs of Innocence' is a good U2 album, but not a truly, great U2 album. It has its worthwhile moments nonetheless.

~ 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 😎 🤘 ~

Dolly Parton, World On Fire | Track Review 🎵

After being inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly Parton unveils the powerful “World On Fire,” the promo single from her rock album, Rockstar.

Janelle Monáe, Lipstick Lover | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe brings out the sexy vibes on her fun reggae-tinged pop/R&B single, “Lipstick Lover.”

Ervin Munir And Aeron Z Jones, Fall Apart | Track Review 🎵

On "Fall Apart," skillful, thought-provoking wordplay by Ervin Munir bring to light the struggles & tribulations that come with trying to affect change in the world.

Hemlocke springs, sever the blight | Track Review 🎵

Rising alternative pop singer/songwriter hemlocke springs show ambition and shines on her latest single, “sever the blight.”

Marshmello & Brent Faiyaz, Fell In Love | Track Review 🎵

DJ/Producer Marshmello and R&B singer/songwriter Brent Faiyaz collaborate on a short but enjoyable R&B single, “Fell In Love.”

Icona Pop & Yaeger, Sh*t We Do For Love | Track Review 🎵

Swedish electro-pop duo Icona Pop collaborates with Swedish singer/songwriter Yaeger for a fresh, fun single, “Shit We Do For Love.”

Raphael Klemm, Electrical Khamsin | Track Review 🎵

Raphael Klemm's latest single, 'Electrical Khamsin,' is a triumph of music production that showcases the artist's versatility and talent.

Niall Horan, Meltdown | Track Review 🎵

Irish pop singer/songwriter Niall Horan delivers a surefire hit with “Meltdown,” where he vows to be there “when it all melts down.”

Coi Leray, Bops | Track Review 🎵

Although it lacks transcendence, Coi Leray drops a confident, energetic, and highly entertaining rap banger with “Bops.”

Jake Shears, I Used To Be In Love | Track Review 🎵

Former Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears continues his upward trajectory as a solo artist on “I Used To Be In Love,” the third single from his sophomore LP, Last Man ...

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