Eminem performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2022. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images. It was an Aftermath reunion, as legends from the ’90s and 2000s took to the stage at the Super Bowl LVI half-time show at…

Renforshort, courtesy. This week we feature the self-assurance of Jalen Santoy, contemplative self-criticism of Carly Cosgrove, apocalyptic anxiety of The Rumjacks, post-panic clarity of Caroline Romano, experimental distortions of WHY NOT and the jaded cynicism of Renforshort. Jalen Santoy, “5am Conduct” — The light percussion and acoustic guitar pairing…

Big Boss Vette, courtesy. This week we feature the bars of Big Boss Vette, the harmonized and vocoded vocals of Arctic Lake, the heavy metal throwback of Annihilator, the soft acoustics of Sun June, garage-burnout of Interesting Hobbies Club and funk-rock of White Lies. Big Boss Vette, “Heavy” —…

It’s time for Earl Sweatshirt to get off the pavement and brush the dirt off of his psyche, as the Odd Future alum returns with his contribution to the pandemic-fuel genre. The aptly titled Sick! is the rapper’s fourth studio album. It maintains the short length of his preceding releases from 2018…

As we close one chapter and open another in the wake of the new year, The Weeknd delivered his fifth studio album Dawn FM. It comes following the success of 2020’s After Hours and the milestone of headlining the Super Bowl halftime show. The album delivers dreamy and dreary electronic…

Slatt Zy, courtesy. This week we feature the somber prose of Slatt Zy and Scorey, the ambitious energy of YSB Tril, Kid Quill’s contemplative credences, Kasien’s cinematic influences and Rozei’s pop-punk outing. Kid Quill, “Greener” — Kid Quill ponders the covetous nature of people, especially in difficult circumstances. Referencing…

While Live Life Fast, the second album by Roddy Ricch, has a promising premise—how living to excess can be tempting but isn’t sustainable—Roddy struggles to deliver on this thematic structure. Live Life Fast Roddy Ricch Atlantic, Dec. 17 6/10 Live Life Fast features a series of excellent instrumentals, but Roddy Ricch…

Our list of the 20 best hip-hop albums of 2021 includes (L to R): Row 1: Lil Nas X, Polo G, Tyler, the Creator, J. Cole, Nas. Row 2: Little Simz, Meek Mill, Isaiah Rashad, Czarface & MF DOOM, Backxwash. Row 3: Vince Staples, Wale, Your Old Droog, BROCKHAMPTON,…

Just after the two-year anniversary of the passing of emo-rap’s patron saint, Juice WRLD, we received the second posthumous album from the rapper, aptly titled Fighting Demons. With a lengthy catalog of songs still in the archives, we’ll be hearing from Juice for quite some time. This new release coincides…

Lupe Fiasco performs at The Warfield in San Francisco on Nov. 19, 2021. Derek Tobias/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Lupe Fiasco made a triumphant return to the Bay Area on Friday in a show that celebrated his iconic debut album, Food & Liquor. Lupe Fiasco. Taking the stage with his backing…