If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Taylor Swift Album : folklore Quick Description : Surprise folkish release from the pop megastar. Why You Should Listen : It's either good to be on the pulse of popular music, or good to hear a nice change of pace from one of the world's most famous singers. Overall Thoughts : It's difficult to listen to Taylor Swift in a vacuum. Her star power is so bright, and the weight behind everything she produces so strong, that it's hard to just take something she puts out on its own. From her shift from pop country to straight out Top 40 music, combined with her very confessional and in-your-face lyricism, it's hard to just let go, but folklore tries, in a pandemic setting, to put some distance between Taylor Swift the star and Taylor Swift the songwriter. Here's the thing: this album is the real deal, and is arguably some of the best music she's put out (with the understanding that she has produced some superlative pop and country songs in the pas...

A slightly slower new release week. Album of the Week : Artist : Liza Anne Album : Fine But Dying Quick Description : Calling this a pop record feels like it's selling it short. Why You Should Listen : Come for the apt title we can all agree with, stay for the great songs. Overall Thoughts : While the title of this album feels incredibly apt for our times, what is interesting for this is how Liza Anne deftly straddles the poppy and radio-friendly singer-songwriter angle with some interesting choices (such as the blasts of sound in “Paranoia,” a sneaky great song). I feel like if Allison Weiss found a harder edge instead of a synthesizer, it would sound like Liza Anne, but I’m finding this to be one of my favorite recent listens and is likely to battle Lucy Dacus with a lot of my listening time soon. Recommendation : Easily the favorite of the week. Artist : Smerz Album : Have fun Quick Description : An odd, lovely little indie album. Why You Should Listen : You'...