The Diary of a Hobbyist

SCORE: 96/100 Released in the early days of November in 2019, MAGDALENE is Barnett's second full-length LP that runs for a delightful 38 minutes, pushing every boundary in the process and progression of the steady & wholeheartedly enjoyable runtime of the album that keeps itself entertaining and genuinely wonderful to listen to at every unexpected flip and turn throughout. MAGDALENE begins beautifully eerie - with a somber tone and layered vocals that form haunting melodies that cause tidal waves of sound to reverberate between the walls of the album. The sound progresses into a rough-edged electronic field of soundscapes that cut like a blunt knife, with each element coming into its own and blooming into one deeply emotional soundscape that really feels . From electronically enhanced piano ballads to the harsh vocal-only tracks that boom into dark glitch-filled electronic soundscapes at the blink of an eye, MAGDALENE is a stunning album that showcases all sides of twigs - f...

SCORE: 91/100 Arca delved more into hip-hop territory with her 'KiCk' series, with this first installment being a huge change from her first album; with the usage of vocals in the tracks and the slow & steady build of 'Nonbinary', 'KiCk' starts off on a lower note before exploding into the gorgeous and wonky production style Arca is so well known for. It manages to be even more experimental and messy compared to its debut album - but it still works incredibly well; with elements of Latin hip-hop & pop as well as Arca's signature glitch-filled production style, they brought in some star-studded helping hands for the conception of the album to make it that much more incredible on all fronts. 'KiCk i' is a delightful bundle of sounds, with each song exploring new horizons and managing to still come together into a cohesive and sometimes strange LP, it's an instantly recognizable sound that will leave you wanting even more from the Venezuelan...

SCORE: 90/100 From feeling like you're being chased to feeling like you're being nurtured - 'Xen' truly is the best of both worlds. Atmospheric and absurdly serene through glitches and synths, 'Xen' is a deeply unique album that takes some time to warm up; it isn't as ambitious as expected from a producer like Arca, but it shows a softer and more cinematic sound to electronic music that uses soft soundscapes to build off of one another. The songs range from soft & slow to wonky and full of glitches with harder edges, a mix in sounds and a wonderfully diverse sound that makes this album wildly unique and wholeheartedly unexpected with every flip and turn. It manages to be soft one minute and chaotic the next - showcasing both sides of the coin while making an album that is both stressful and serene all in one go; it's a hard one to label and an even harder one to pinpoint words for, but it does something you simply won't find done by any other pro...

SCORE: 96/100 Charli XCX and the iconic late legend SOPHIE - a unstoppable force that graced the music industry for a time that was unfortunately cut short. XCX's 'Vroom Vroom' EP showcases both her prowess and genuine love for good electropop; showing her utmost desire to put out an incredible & wild project while simultaneously showcasing her artistic excellence alongside the greatly talented SOPHIE backing the British pop diva & songstress with her eccentric production style. From an outside perspective Charli dives into messy territory with her 2016 EP - delivering an unexpected and adventurous sound that is both bold and instantly memorable; it may take some time to warm up to, but it will hit you like a car when you do finally get around to loving it. 'Vroom Vroom' makes for an incredible opener that sets the basis for the entirety of the EP while showcasing the more electronic side of Charli's music that would come out swinging even more with some...

SCORE: 95/100 From the iconic tracks to the deep cuts, 'Old Skool Masters' is a must for anyone looking to get into happy hardcore - or anyone who is already a fan of the genre. S3RL's quirky production and bouncy hits will leave you coming back for more every time, and 'Old Skool Masters' is a delightful showcase of his production talents especially.  It's a blessing that the world was graced with an actual LP by infamous DJ S3RL, because without it we wouldn't have non-mix versions of songs like 'Dealer', 'Little Kandi Raver', and of course 'Pretty Rave Girl'. S3RL's quirky and internet-based style has led to some truly iconic tracks and mixes, with this album being an absolute core component in his lengthy career.  'Old Skool Masters' manages to feel like one long party, with the songs sounding different enough from one another while keeping a generalized consistency in style and genre throughout the hour-long project. ...

This review is a bundle of all of the main studio albums currently released by Deftones. This includes all of their albums (excluding reissues, live albums, and compilations) in one post to make my dive into their discography have a more cohesive read for those who want to see it all in one package. DEFTONES ALBUM RANKING: -Saturday Night Wrist (100) -White Pony  (100) -Around the Fur  (100) -Koi No Yokan  (100) -Diamond Eyes (98) -Deftones (96) -Ohms (96) -Adrenaline (90) -Gore (89) ADRENALINE:  SCORE: 90/100 (January 21, 2023 *updated May 14, 2024) The only real issue here is the mixing, the instrumentals are so overpowering compared to the vocals. But ignoring the mixing, the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentals are all amazing. It's such a crisp and amazing style and this is one of the best nu metal albums I have heard, definitely a must listen for any metal fans, this is one of the essential nu metal albums for sure. AROUND THE FUR: SCORE: 100/100 (January 5, 2025)...

SCORE: 96/100 The final project in my Deftones studio album dive (until they release another project). This was one I meant to get to a little bit sooner but I put it off in favor of other projects - I think I had reviewed too much Deftones in too short of a time; but this album is a harsh reminder of what makes them such an incredible band with the instantaneously electrifying introduction of 'Genesis'. This album is a massive return to form when compared to their previous album 'Gore' - with a heavier sound and a sound similar to that of 'Around the Fur', 'Ohms' is an absolute triumph for a band that can prove time and time again that they've still got what it takes to be great all these years later.  It's a return to heavier form for the band - showcasing the heavier side of their music while still keeping the more cinematic elements to their songs in tact; it isn't as atmosphere-based as some of their other projects, but it makes for a ve...

SCORE: 88/100 Limp Bizkit... one of my previous favorite bands and a band that I find to be criminally underrated without any doubts about it. This album in particular has most of their best material and a handful of some of the best nu-metal tracks within the entirety of the genre. They have their established style without taking themselves too seriously in most cases - making their cooky and somewhat abrasive style come off much better than it does for some other bands that tried to go in the same direction. I'm surprised to see the bad rep that this album has on this site (AOTY) since it's been an album that I have loved for many years now - with it alongside other nu-metal albums being a driving force in the eventual change and personal nu-metal boom that my music taste went through years ago now. The songs do lack technical substance in the lyrical content in particular, but the songs are fun and so well produced that it makes the album a force of its own. Each song sounds...

SCORE: 89/100 1200 Micrograms' self-titled album is one that I am glad I stumbled across; my dad actually recommended the psytrance genre to me a while ago now, and this is the perfect example of it - it might even be the defining project for the genre. This is a project that was *really* made under the influence, with each track being named after a drug and each track being made while on the drug it is titled after, 1200 Micrograms went above and beyond for this trippy, mind-bending album. This album has a unique sound that is somewhat similar to that of Infected Mushrooms - a more "mainstream" trance group that makes similarly subgenred/categorized music. 1200 Micrograms did something wildly different and deeply interesting with the composition and conception of this album - with the sound being incredibly cohesive and exciting, this is about the best introduction to the psytrance genre you can get. The album is best heard front-to-back as the songs merge into one anoth...

SCORE: 87/100 Fefe Dobson wasn't looking to be the next popstar, so much so that she left Jive records due to them wanting to make her the next Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera. Instead, Dobson moved into the music sphere with a Lindsay Lohan, Avril Lavigne, Josie & The Pussycats-esque pop-punk flair that is much more fleshed out and exciting than one might expect. It doesn't feel juvenile, instead Dobson came out with some incredibly fun pop-punk bangers that would make bands like Sum 41 and Simple Plan blush, with her vocals suiting the fast-paced 'Stupid Little Love Song' incredibly well while she showcased her alternative style and rocker image from the very starting post of her career. Dobson does start off a little too quick, making the next track feel a bit jarring in comparison - but she does a rock ballad incredibly well. Her voice has a somewhat young tone to it still; it's clear that she was young, but she has a similar tone to that of young rock ...

This review is a review bundle , this means that it includes multiple reviews from different dates, with the deluxe edition review being from the current publish date and the others being from 2023 and 2024 respectively.  SCORE: 100/100 The deluxe reissue of Lady Gaga's 'The Fame Monster' EP is a repackaging of both the 8 track EP and the main album ('The Fame'), making it the absolute early Gaga package when it comes to showcasing both her darker, art-pop sound as well as her more mainstream sound that would pave the way for countless other artists, showcasing her depth and versatility as an artist in this deluxe collection that packs a massive punch. Both of the projects alone manage to make one huge pop bible, with many of the greatest and most recognized pop songs of all time being packed into one gorgeous deluxe package that keeps both the die-hard fans and the masses happy, making her Fame Monster EP more accessible for a generalized audience who may be coming...

The annual Grammy Awards season has graced the masses this February 2, 2025, with stars such as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan walking the famous red carpet during the pre-awards start of the show.  Starting with the hottest names in the music industry currently, Taylor Swift surprised fans by appearing on the red carpet in a glistening one-shoulder strapped red dress, a shocking colour change for the star - who would've guessed? It's a more revealing outfit than expected, and it's safe to say that she made her entrance known with an outfit that is completely non-reflective of the "era" she is currently in, could this mean something new is on the way for the popstar? Sabrina Carpenter walked the carpet in her signature baby-blue aesthetic, with a fluffy dress that highlights her figure with drapes of satin and a fabulously cut gown, miss Carpenter stunned with her shorter, curled hair and signature "old Hollywood" glamour. Chappell Ro...

SCORE: 87/100 Goreshit's 2010 LP 'ureshii!' is a lot more tame than some of his other projects, with a more regulated breakbeat soundscape that strays away from his more well-known speedcore roots. 'ureshii!' keeps the Japanese elements of his music very much in tact, and it makes for a unique breakcore LP that is both well produced and wonderfully entertaining. The LP is short & sweet and has a more clean sound than some of Goreshit's other projects, with a more sweet and bright tone to the songs alongside heavy production and thumping bass, 'ureshii!' is done exceptionally well and manages to be produced in an unexpected sound for Goreshit's standards. The usage of samples and different drumpad elements are both done excellently, and 'ureshii!' is a wonderfully put together project that isn't lacking in substance or flair. Each break on the LP is done very well - it's a project that showcases the sheer talent of Goreshit as a pr...

SCORE: 70/100 The production of 'v.i.p. - very important pony' is in the right direction; but horsegiirL suffers the vocal curse of artists just like her, with a lack of vocal substance making the sound of the EP much less enjoyable than expected - and much less enjoyable than it could've been. horsegiirL showcases her impressive production talents alongside FREE JIMI, making for an impressive EP that gives the masses some nice palatable dance music with a bit more edge than what you might be hearing on the radio. It isn't the most impressive EP overall and the vocals need some work - and I think horsegiirL's production being used with a more talented vocalist would do her wonders since it would show off her real strong suit. It's refreshing to see some experimental electronic music being released in the early months of 2025, with subgenres like gabber and future house being thrown in the mix and 'eat, sleep, slay, 🔁' being an incredible usage of the ga...

SCORE: 87/100 Sly and the Family Stone are a band with undoubtable and undeniable charm, with Sly Stone being one of the most unique frontmen to ever grace the music industry with his quirky vocal performances and pacing alongside the delightful instrumentation led by the rest of the band, 'Fresh' indeed still sounds fresh decades after its initial release. The album is delightfully funky and wonderfully fun, with the tracks coming together to make a consistent and enjoyable project that is well worth its 39 minute runtime, 'Fresh' is an absolute gem in the funk genre that is far too overlooked when compared to other similar albums. 'Fresh' works best as a all-in-one-go album, with the tracks feeling more like they work on the album than they would outside of the general context of the album. There are some obvious highs and lows throughout the album - but it stays consistent enough to be enjoyable throughout its runtime. Each vocalist does their part very well ...

SCORE: 86/100 Al Green is easily one of the most important artists that Southern Soul ever got - with his unique vocal tone and delightful musical style, Green brought something new to the table that no artists could recreate due to the simple uniqueness of his voice that brought his music to new heights. Unfortunately this album does suffer from feeling its age with the sound of the mixing being quite murky, but the album itself is incredibly well done and enjoyable - it follows the main practices of soul music to bring the album to the level it is at. Soul is a tricky genre because a lot of it sounds very similar, but there's something special about Green's music that makes him one of the artists to stick out when it comes to the huge genre of soul. His vocals are sharp and unique, with his tone being something you will not find in any other singer. He is unfortunately washed out a lot by the instrumentals in a lot of the tracks, but the overall sentiment of the album remains...