Sorry, I Missed That; Second Quarter
By: Brandan Verrastro
Tags: Hip Hop, Rnb, Album Review, Music, Pop

This installment of “Sorry, I Missed That" has me very much apologizing for missing some of these albums. Pop singers, potential stars in the making & up-and-coming killers swarm my ears through these listens. I might predict it’s the greatest slate of projects this series will see, and it was all released during a time that I could have easily listened to them as I had nothing but time couped up in my room. Nevertheless, I covered 12 albums here and some of these will definitely be entering the top 50 discussion by the end of December for sure.

12) Fivio Foreign - 800 BC

The New York drill sound happens to keep my attention rather well throughout the year. A multitude of people scene have made some incredible music, example “Tip Toe" by Sheff G and Sleepy Hollow. It seems very hard for me to dislike anyone from here. But Fivio figured out a way to do it. Half the time on this album, I get this notion that Fivio just doesn’t care to get hype or emotional throughout the music making process. “Wetty" he just sleep-walks his way through the track. Even his hit single “Big Drip" I couldn’t find much interest in. In the future he has to showcase more than just the ability to fit in, because even Meek Mill on “Demons & Goblins” found a pocket, and was possibly the best part of this project.

5/10

11) KSI - Dissimulation

Look, for what it’s worth the UK YouTuber isn’t horrible. By no means does it come across trying to fit in with the cool crowd like Jake Paul’s God-forsaken music. But outside of a pretty impressive feature list and some moments of making a catchy track, the positives end there. A dance hall track like “Houdini" happened to come together nicely. “Down Like That" features Rick Ross and Lil Baby which is impressive, but it’s obvious who is great and who… isn’t.

But then you have moments where the lyrics are downright hilarious (in a bad way) and the vocals are just nonsense. “Wake Up Call” had KSI sounding more nonsensical than even Trippie Redd could muster. But some of trap sounds are decent, overall though why am I listening to YouTube rappers. Jesus.

5/10

10) City Girls - City On Lock

JT and Yung Miami are talking cash shit like they never left. They set one goal in mind, make shaking ass music and let the world know how great their pussies are. Love it, got no problem with it. However, there are some things that are left to be desired. For one, some of the production is so minimal it’s almost disrespectful for the Girls of the City. It’s a lot of inconsistencies with them throughout this. Sometimes their voices are magnetic or piercing to the ear. Their verses can either go hard like “Double CC’s” or numbing to the mind like “Jobs". Also the features, while great, can outshine the duo. Lil Baby on “Flewed Out" might as well be his song. Doja Cat had the most entertaining verse on “Pussy Talk". So while I enjoy some of the music hear, it feels like nothing more than a collection of songs rather than a whole project.

5.5/10

9) Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters

Okay, so hear me out I get the love for this album. She is very emotional and personal on so many tracks about situations from her past and current day life. It contains a lot of experimentation that I can totally applaud. Yet, a few things with this album for me that just didn’t end up sticking out to me. For one some of these songs were ruined by the run time. Best example is “Newspaper" which describes her being in love with this guy who was in love with another girl on top of Fiona and he was sabotaging a friendship that could have happened. It was great, but then it dragged on to the point where I couldn’t the story got dry. The very next track “Ladies" while having such a soothing production behind it, the feeling was like I couldn’t get out of this state of mind. Like I was on cruise control and I broke the shift.

Now with that being said, so many great songs came from this. The intro “I Want You to Love Me" has this charming piano centric sound that Fiona was able to flex her vocal chords all over this album. The climatic progression in “Under the Table” has this inspiring moment of telling whoever is trying to kick her down that she won’t shut up and stay down. “Relay" shows Fiona starting to get aggressive in her voice and it’s grabbing my attention that I tend to have a deficit in. However, with some of the tracks just dragging and maybe has some forgettable ones along the way. Also, seeing someone get a 10 on Pitchfork was wild so good for Fiona there.

6.5/10

8) Drakeo the Ruler & JoogSzn- Thank You For Using GTL

Damn, like that Joog? It’s kind’ve crazy how this is 8 considering how much I actually like this. Drakeo was clearly still in jail at this point, and the connection between him and Joog happened to work wonders. Drakeo is rapping over the phone, which explains why the quality is grainy. It’s a very dope concept that I haven’t heard before from a rapper, so to do it for 20 songs is insanity. This contains so of Drakeo’s most focused rapping with stories about being in the cell. And yet, he is still able to floss on everyone behind bars like nothing is wrong. Some of his hilarity in the one liners show up here as well, but can also be found in some of the outro moments to each song like “Quit Rappin". And while I do enjoy this album for different conceptually it is, I can’t help but admit I probably won’t go back and listen to this album many more times like his previous album I covered.

7.5/10

7) Charli XCX - how I’m feeling now

I’m starting to realize how much I love the genre of pop for how many different sub-genre’s there are within this realm. The experimental music that is entering each track has me feeling like I’m in a time machine going to the year of 3001, where cars fly and everything is painted a shiny silver color. How she incorporates these robotic sounds into talking about love and lust is truly crazy. “7 years" could have been great with or without the inflections that make her sound like she has a battery in her back. The fluttery sounds of “detonate" puts you at a sense of peace and happiness.

“c2.0" has the repetition in the background that sounds like Wall-E came and joined the party and Charli is harmonizing gorgeously throughout this soft tune. The soft tunes really put me on cloud-9 like “forever". I would play this while floating down the lazy river and it was just bring me so much peace. There are some moments on this album that the experimentation can be too much. The intro “Pink Diamonds" remind me too much of the stuff that made me hate Yeezus. Nevertheless, a really really good album Charli gave us.

8/10

6) Tha God Fahim - After Every Dark Day Comes Sunshine

Despite the horrific long titles of the tracks, Tha God Fahim has a great album on his hands. He speaks from a positive mindset about getting the most out of life, realizing your use and spreading knowledge to those who need it. The music is silky smooth to the ear, and his voice just puts you in euphoria while still bringing up that dusty vibe that Mach Hommy carries at an elite level. “Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch" has this lowkey classic New York sound that is so cinematic. Although, I can’t help but think he could’ve picked a shorter title.

The title track has this classic 1970 sitcom soundtrack with Fahim flowing with his usual slick mantra. These old-school production reminds me of shows my dad used to watch when he was a youngin’. A few times throughout this experience Fahim tends to be too casual with his cadences. The auto-pilot definitely can be shifted from time to time. Yet, the inspiring message along with the wonderful peace within his music makes this such a enjoyable listen.

8/10

5) Brionne - Playa Shit Only

Now I interviewed Brionne this year, the Dallas MC who is vastly making a name for herself. Her southern roots are exploited all over this EP, and shows how intense she can be. The first track “Good Morning” should envision an easy going, relaxed vibe but Brionne has something to prove. She is intense, pressing her enemies to get on her level. “Gospel" portrays her grimy aura, the grind is every single day. No one is working harder than her, and everything she preaches on this track should be taken as something that is as holy as the bible. Brionne is cruising in her dream car of her choice on “The Next Day", flexing her accomplishments and begging the question “WHY THESE HOES STILL PLAYING WITH ME?” The outro might be her hardest sounding track. “Out The Way" is Brionne in the trenches here, pulling all the haters cards. The hood poetry rapped here is pure gold. She is one of the best to come up very soon. And yes I covered this in the interview, but it’s nice to remind y’all that she is up next.

8/10

4) Chloe x Halle - Ungodly Hour

The R&B group is singing their hearts out here. Chloe and Halle are showcasing just how much they’ve grown up. From being winners of a Disney Radio contest, to relating relationship issues with their age group of mid-20 year olds is huge for their growth. “Forgive Me” has a tint of Beyonce sound in there to start the album off right. Throughout this album, they encapsulate just what it means to be a 20 year old figuring out what love is and what comes with those issues. It’s gracious, fun and ungodly all in one. “Baby Girl" is heavenly by the sister duo, with the grande production. The catchy R&B sounds only grow larger with tracks like “Tipsy", incorporating some rapping into their skillset.

The only feature in Swae Lee appears on “Catch Up" in this by the numbers pop sounding smash, but the dynamic of the duo’s voices and great chorus makes this song worth it. Chloe and Halle really test their voices on the track “Don’t Make it Harder On Me", and the duo nail it on the head with how angelic the two can be. It’s a super fun album that brings a young adult fever back where relationships were the only worry in this world. How I miss that.

8.5/10

3) Rahli - Still Big Rallo From Lorna

Yes, this is another guy I interviewed not too long ago actually for my debut on Passionweiss. Again, I listened to this album 700 times. But there is a reason for that, because Rahli is really elite. His aggressiveness and hunger on each track resemble a few sides of Rahli that people need to understand. “Lorna Lane" paints the picture of where he’s from and the upbringing he had. It’s softer in comparison to “Perc 30 Remix" which is an absolute banger. Rahli is foaming at the mouth, just barely getting out the words of excitement to make someone snooze. Meanwhile Duke Deuce makes an appearance to somewhat balance it out with more of a whisper in his voice. He pulls off big features like Quando Rondo on “Solidified” where the two harmonize about their position in the rap game and life. Then there is Mozzy on “U Never Knew" where the two are spitting real life situations. The guy makes bangers, and can get real sentimental on a track about the streets he grew up on in St. Louis. Go listen to him if I haven’t made that clear at this point.

8.5/10

2) Yves Tumor - Heaven to a Tortured Mind

I have to give a massive shoutout to Caleb Catlin for making me stay up and listen to this album from front to back and describe exactly what I was listening to. The way in which Yves Tumor’s music makes me feel is unlike anything I’ve experienced. That’s weird to say when you consider he’s second but give me a few to explain. The music is infectious, it can be played anywhere and all parties can enjoy this electronic genius. The trance that “Medicine Burn" puts you in is downright dangerous, but I want to be in it. The spiraling production brings out the trippiness that we all love to hear. “Kerosene!” is fighting it’s hardest to take the best song of the year award from me. The five minute track is jam-packed with beautiful singing, soothing, yet grande production and a killer vibe. The duo of Yves and the female act just click so well.

The transition from “Romanticist” to “Dream Palette" is maybe one of the best I have ever heard. It’s somewhat indescribable how this album and Yves Tumor makes me feel. The funky sounds along with the exciting voice and versatility that is embedded in him is unlike anything I have heard. It’s an album I can show my homies, and send to my dad to say “wow, this is actually not horrible". Excuse the unprofessionalism here, but holy shit this album is fantastic.

9/10

1) Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA

Based on my previous reaction, I didn’t think anything would top that album. Then Rina came in and said, nope you will respect my god damn name! Pop for the win today boys and girls. Rina Sawayama officially recaptured my love for the genre and has taken a commanding lead here. Her singing is magnificent and damn near flawless, her flexibility is crystal clear and production is top notch. The intro “Dynasty" is something you’d hear from Evanescence, but actually amazing singing. It’s dark and climactic is something you can find in any movie with a feel-good ending. “XS" is god damn bop, I refuse to even describe it as anything more than that. Then boom, a punk-rock song that once again forces me to make the LeBron James mean-mug in “STFU!”. It makes me wish she’d tell me the shut the fuck up, yes I’m going there.

Rina is just experimenting with every sound she can find, and making incredible music out of it. “Akasaka Sad” has this robotic chorus that just catches my itch. Then Rina reassures the listener to love her for who she is on “Love Me 4 Me". It’s about having self-confidence baby, and she is not going to let that get lost in translation. “Fuck This World (Interlude)” is a very familiar feeling I have had many times in life, and it’s impact to me alone is profound. Being sick of the fake people that keep coming in and out is frustrating. Rina hits every emotion, every characteristic, you name it this girl is sung about it here. I didn’t think it could get better, and then it did. This is a brilliant album. Shit.

9.5/10