Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night by Stereolab
Since the last time I had to listen to Stereolab in this game (or the other "album below you" game, I can't remember which), I've become a much bigger fan. Dots and Loops has especially grown on me - that album's a total banger. I even caught them live at a festival a month ago, though I only managed to see 20 minutes of their set. This album is another impressive Stereolab blend of retro-futuristic styles. While it doesn't necessarily break new ground for them (it mostly recombines the pop sounds they've explored before), the real standout here is the production. The way everything glides together is so satisfying. The songwriting isn't peak Stereolab, but it's certainly no weak point either. It contains some of their best pop moments, though perhaps lacks the experimental edge of their best work. That said, the back half of the album dives deeper into their signature hypnotic jams, especially tracks Blue Milk and Caleidoscopic Gaze. Another fine addition into the "very good but not necessarily great" Stereolab collection. I do think it has a chance to become my second fave record by them, as it's a really easy listen with several strong highlights. Will give it another go later this summer.
Listen to the new Billy Woods. Almost every time he drops an album I have a feeling it's his best one yet, he's just that good. But this time it may actually be true, the only two that rival Golliwog imo are Aethiopes and Brass. Excited to hear your opinion as a hip hop fan.
Golliwog by Billy Woods _________________ Overall chart Fake overall chart
Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night by Stereolab
Since the last time I had to listen to Stereolab in this game (or the other "album below you" game, I can't remember which), I've become a much bigger fan. Dots and Loops has especially grown on me - that album's a total banger. I even caught them live at a festival a month ago, though I only managed to see 20 minutes of their set. This album is another impressive Stereolab blend of retro-futuristic styles. While it doesn't necessarily break new ground for them (it mostly recombines the pop sounds they've explored before), the real standout here is the production. The way everything glides together is so satisfying. The songwriting isn't peak Stereolab, but it's certainly no weak point either. It contains some of their best pop moments, though perhaps lacks the experimental edge of their best work. That said, the back half of the album dives deeper into their signature hypnotic jams, especially tracks Blue Milk and Caleidoscopic Gaze. Another fine addition into the "very good but not necessarily great" Stereolab collection. I do think it has a chance to become my second fave record by them, as it's a really easy listen with several strong highlights. Will give it another go later this summer.
Great write-up, Zep! Totally agree! 👏
Alrighty. I'll try to get back into this game later later this week! 🫢
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Billy Woods is a top-tier rapper and doesn't miss. As usual, on Golliwog he brings his excellent flow, lyrically dense and well-written bars, and impeccable ear for beats. I was worried at first to see a horrorcore influence tag on this, but luckily for my taste it was creepy and atmospheric horrorcore, not gruesome and gory horrorcore. The horror elements definitely add character and flavor to the album, as do the variety of guest appearances (including 3 tracks that are effectively Armand Hammer). I also love the production throughout the record. Whenever I listen to Billy Woods' work, I always really enjoy it, but it's never a personal favorite, at least not yet. That's where I'm landing with this one as well on first listen, but I definitely see potential for it to grow on me. Starting at 4/5, or 75/100 on BEA.
Let's go with another release that features Despot. This fun mixtape was their best project:
Hello, new to the thread. Quick peruse of your ratings and saw a lot of Hip Hop. Thought of maybe picking an all-time horrible album like Total Xanarchy, but I picked something probably slightly less worse.
Sorry in advance 😨
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Hello, new to the thread. Quick peruse of your ratings and saw a lot of Hip Hop. Thought of maybe picking an all-time horrible album like Total Xanarchy, but I picked something probably slightly less worse.
Sorry in advance 8-[
Welcome! To match the spirit of this game, can you please nominate something that you like and/or that you think I’ll like? _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
Moved: 09/26/2025 08:37 by albummaster From Tournaments to Music
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Okay, I cheated a bit to maintain the spirit of the game and listened to your highest-rated album that I hadn't heard. If noted Hopsin fan DommeDamian had nominated an album he loves, that would be one thing, but I don't want to hear something intended to be a hate-listen.
I can see why this album is a 95/100 to you. It's been on my wishlist for a while, so I'm glad to finally check it out. My first impression: way better than Urban Hymns. I'm a sucker for some good shoegaze, and I love how noisy and dreamy A Storm In Heaven is, perfectly matching its title and cover. Unfortunately, it's a bit frontloaded, but despite fewer highlights in the second half, it's definitely a great record overall. Starting at a light 4/5 or 75/100 on BEA, and I can see this being a grower with future listens.
It's interesting that you've rated 8 Cocteau Twins albums, but no albums yet from their most popular copyists (ish) Beach House. I love both bands, so try this:
This sounds like if Thundercat went in some adventurous new directions sonically, and didn't stick to soul/funk/electronic. And for the record, I love Thundercat. This album is great - instrumentally, vocally, and compositionally interesting throughout. It will take further listens to fully assimilate. I'm excited to hear more from Nourished By Time. Starting at a 4/5, or 75/100 on BEA.
Here's a cool album from 2025 that's not on your chart:
Sit Down, Man (2010) by Das Racist
This is nice. I wasn't aware of Das Racist before, but apparently they were a big deal in the late 2000s and early 2010s. They remind me of some 00s alt-rap acts like Deltron, Cannibal Ox, Busdriver, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, El-P, and even Jurassic 5, and they definitely paved the way for the Open Mike Eagles of the world (though I'd argue all of those artists are more interesting than Heems, Kool A.D., and Dap). Das Racist disbanded in late 2012, and some of the material here, both instrumentally and lyrically, sounds slightly dated. All of that may have contributed to them being less well known than they deserve, at least in my circles. That said, Sit Down, Man is an interesting and worthwhile mixtape that, at 1h 17min, never overstays its welcome. There are a few lowlights (People Are Strange with its Doors sample is... whatever), but generally the laid-back, funny raps with catchy choruses flow well.
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Moved: 09/26/2025 08:37 by albummaster
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