music
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Marina – “The Family Jewels” review
Final verdict: 9/10 ★★★★⋆˙⟡ Marina has long been one of my favorite artists – through the holy trinity that is her first few albums (the “The Family Jewels” – “Electra Heart” – “Froot” run) she has proven herself to be a greatly creative songwriter, a force to be reckoned with. Those sentiments aren’t quite in… Read more
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Street performing pandemonium
You know, it’s well past my bedtime, but just two hours ago I came back home from street performing – and on second thought, tonight’s show was utterly bonkers. So much so that I have to write about it – because there’s simply no other way of moving on with my life after all that… Read more
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Lady Gaga – “Mayhem” review
Final verdict: 8/10 ★★★★☆ Say what you will about Lady Gaga – but one thing you absolutely cannot deny is that she’s an unlikely talent. A beast of a vocalist, a more-than-merely-competent pianist, and a reasonably trustworthy songwriter, complete with mind-blowing stage pyrotechnics. She’s what a popstar ought to be, the complete package. But well, let’s not… Read more
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Yumi Arai – “Misslim” review
Final verdict: 9/10 ★★★★⋆˙⟡ The sentiments expressed on my review of Yumi Arai’s (or Matsutoya’s, or, as I will again refer to her, Yuming’s) debut LP “ひこうき雲” ring true with her follow-up record, too. And the record in question is none other than 1974’s “Misslim” – an album that has rightfully acquired its place in… Read more
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They Might Be Giants – “John Henry” review
Final verdict: 8/10 ★★★★☆ At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Although by the time I got to this album, I’d been only barely familiar with the majestic world of They Might Be Giants, I felt well acquainted with the concept of John, John, and a drum machine, as well as the rinky-dink sound… Read more
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Dua Lipa – “Radical Optimism” review
Final verdict: 5/10 ★★⋆˙⟡☆☆ Okay, so, recently, a good buddy of mine coerced me into listening to this album. Well, “coerced” is a bit of a strong word, he didn’t technically do that, however he did repeatedly pressure me to listen to it and review it, because he was curious about what I’d think of it. Eventually I caved,… Read more
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Jun Togawa – “好き好き大好き” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ A few months ago I had a manic episode. Rough times, man, I don’t even want to think about it. But to review this album, I kind of have to. So, “好き好き大好き”. This album was all I would ever listen to during my manic spell. Anything that wasn’t a song off… Read more
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Alacie Tullaugaq & Lucy Amarualik – “Katutjatut” review
Final verdict: 7/10 ★★★⋆˙⟡☆ One thing going over most of these fellow reviewers’ heads is the following; you need to go into listening to a project like this with an open mind, otherwise you’re just not going to Get It™. Most of us are familiar with music that was crafted following strictly European standards, and would be… Read more
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Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Technodelic” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ “This must be the ugliest piece of bread I’ve ever eaten” is the line that acts as an overture to this album, and honestly, it’s only fitting. Even if not the ugliest piece of bread you’ve ever eaten, “Technodelic” is still a pretty damn ugly one. I mean, picture this –… Read more
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Seiko Matsuda – “Squall” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ Here’s the thing with Seiko Matsuda – I love her beyond imagination and I am actually obsessed with her. I mean, I listen to her almost constantly (this is no phase, either, and if it is, it’s seriously overstaying its welcome – it’s been a fucking YEAR), and she is a fashion icon… Read more
