1/6/2023 0 Comments Paramore 26 m4a![]() Though it may lack the depth and inventiveness that has characterised much of Curry’s work so far, Unlocked is an enjoyable and colourful outing that adds another hit to his increasingly consistent creative streak, while also further cementing Beats’ status as one of the most competent hip-hop producers around. Brimming with tension, tracks like the the incredibly catchy ‘Lay_Up.m4a’ reveal the the project’s quirkily cartoonish nature, which lends its way perfectly to the Adult Swim-esque animated short film that accompanies the 20-minute album. In this brief but playfully exhilarating collaborative LP, Denzel Curry broadens his musical palette beyond that of his Miami roots, while Kenny Beats once again expertly tailors his production to accommodate the Florida rapper’s gritty but impressively dynamic delivery. Despite feeling somewhat unfocused, it sets out the stage for Williams as a compelling solo artist whose dynamic range and personality can no longer be ignored. As the album progresses, chronicling Williams’ personal growth with a mix of poignancy and fervour, Petals for Armor blossoms into its own multi-faceted flower. Originally released as a three-part EP, the record affords Williams the necessary space to make a truly personal record that not only dives into but also mirrors the complexities of recovery in a way that a Paramore record couldn’t. If Paramore’s 2017 album After Laughter was playful enough to tackle Hayley Williams’ struggles with mental illness with a slight smirk and healthy dose of bright, 80s-inspired synthpop, the singer’s solo debut is more candid though still defiant in its exploration of the interminable lows that come with battling depression. ![]() Until then, though, these are the albums we’ve held onto through this tumultuous first half of 2020. Nobody knows exactly what the future holds, but what’s certain is that the music landscape is going to look a lot different in the next few months, with more artists actively reflecting on everything that’s happened during the year – be it in the form of a quarantine album following in the footsteps of Charli XCX or a protest soundtrack à la Run the Jewels. Others, meanwhile, have offered some much-needed distraction. ![]() ![]() Some of the albums released this year have felt incredibly pertinent, even those that were written and recorded before the pandemic hit. But over the past few months, music has provided not only solace, but also a sense of perspective, with plenty of artists already responding to the current state of things through their music. In the midst of an uprising and a devastating global pandemic, it can sound silly to talk about music. It feels strange – maybe even a little misguided – to associate anything to come out of the first six months of 2020 with the word “good”, let alone “best”. ![]()
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