If It's Too Loud...

Not a busy week for releases, but a number of really good ones nonetheless. Artist : Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers Album : Bought to Rot Quick Description : Solo-ish record from the Against Me! veteran. Why You Should Listen : Grace embracing the solo side is a good thing. Overall Thoughts : Laura Jane Grace has basically transcended Against Me! at this point, having become a poster image for transgender people everywhere while still maintaining punk cred. This is definitely more of an alternative rock record, but it puts aside a lot of punk trappings in favor of fun (and sometimes funny, as with the ode to Chicago midway through) music with a message. It may be easy to sleep on this one, especially if Against Me! has never been your thing, but this is definitely worth your time. Recommendation : Best record of the week, easy. Artist : Darren Hayman Album : Thankful Villages Vol. 3 Quick Description : Hefner frontman's historic project lands its third vo...

Sorry for the delay. You'd think a three day weekend would be long enough to do this... Album of the Week : Artist : cupcakKe Album : Ephorize Quick Description : Surprising, great rap music from a new face. Why You Should Listen : You wish Lizzo had more edge. Overall Thoughts : And I recognize that it's unfair to compare cupcakKe to Lizzo because, surface-level, they're both larger-than-Hollywood-standard black female rappers, but I got the vibe from it before seeing the album cover. And while the album was pretty great early on, it's when "Duck Duck Goose" hits that you realize you're hearing something special, and not just because it's one of the dirtiest songs I've heard in some time. The beats are great, cupcakKe has a great delivery, and there's not much of a flaw here except that it might feel more like a novelty in future listens. I hope not, because this has a lot of lasting power if she keeps this up. Recommendation : A ...