Latest Reviews

Hayden Pedigo is an artist worth appreciating, not just as a musician, but as a character. Besides being a Gucci model and once mockingly running for city council, he has a flair for the eccentric. One of his music videos parodies those awkward old DVD guitar tutorials. And when he’s not dressed like an exaggerated cartoon cowboy, he exudes a nerdy, clumsy charm, a kind of cowboy-ish Michael Cera.

There’s nothing particularly unusual or strikingly different about Sinister Grift compared to Panda Bear’s previous releases. And yet, I’ve found myself returning to this album several times, even after I had all the notes I needed for this piece. I mention this because, despite my love for Animal Collective, Panda Bear’s solo work has always been something of a hard pill for me.

Published in 2004, Madvillainy quickly became one of the most anticipated and revered albums in underground rap history. Its legend only grew after early demos leaked ahead of the official release, igniting a wave of speculation and anxiety among fans. With two of the most iconic figures in underground hip-hop at the helm—Madlib and MF DOOM—the album’s mythos has only deepened over the years.

For years, fans—and Bruce himself—have whispered about the existence of unreleased material. Hopes ran especially high after the first installment of Tracks in 1988, which featured a staggering 66 songs: B-sides, alternate takes, and long-shelved recordings. Thirty-five years later, Tracks II has finally arrived, and it’s even bigger, boasting 82 tracks. But this time, the difference is striking—not just scattered outtakes, but entire unreleased albums finally seeing the light of day.

The group aespa has released a new track titled “Dirty Work.”

I was not so sure how to begin this review. Do It Afraid, Yaya Bey’s latest release, spans 18 tracks, and each one feels so distinct that any sweeping generalization—any tidy opener—seems bound to miss the point.

Oorutaichi remains one of the most singular, unpredictable, and joyously strange musical propositions I’ve ever encountered. He’s innovative not just as a composer, but also as a singer, producer, and sound designer. And yet, despite all that, you’d be hard-pressed to find much media coverage on him. Which is why I’m taking full advantage of this beautiful space here at Music Talkers to offer a broad overview of his discography, suggest how and why you should dive in, and share a quick update on his most recent work.

Alex G has just released a new song called “June Guitar” — a warm, breezy preview of his upcoming album Headlights, which drops in just 17 days. With only a few hours left in June and a beautiful early summer night unfolding, it feels like the perfect time to give this track a listen while it still fits the mood.

The artist Absolutely has just released a new two-track single called “I Just Don’t Know You Yet,” and I have to say—I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything quite like it. It feels like pieces from different genres have been woven together to create something truly unique and beautiful in its own right. Let’s dive in.

Most of the time, when I'm chasing down new talents or stories to write about here, I do so without a clear agenda. There’s rarely a fixed expectation—just the hope that something will unsettle me in the right way. Occasionally, the figures I bring here are being praised to the heavens by critics I respect, written up in places with a lot of reach. And yet, even when their work doesn’t quite stir me, I still feel compelled to present them. Because being a music critic, if it means anything at all, is about listening in good faith—for that elusive frequency that might vibrate someone else’s soul if heard with the correct disposition of the heart, even if that song doesn't resonate with me personally.