Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop Albums of August 2021
The ten best hip-hop albums of August 2021 reveal truths about our strange, alarming but often exciting contemporary socio-cultural landscape.
trap
K-Pop’s CRAVITY Goes Bossa Nova in “GO GO”
K-pop’s CRAVITY talk with PopMatters about trying bossa nova for the first time and how “GO GO” fits the message of their first full-length album.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best New Hip-Hop Albums of June 2021
Summer is the best time of year to listen to hip-hop. From the upbeat and bouncy to the weird and paranoid, hip-hop just sounds better in the sunshine. That makes now the perfect time for the first edition of “Hip-Hop Matters” – PopMatters’ new monthly hip-hop roundup.
Playboi Carti Creates a Whole Lotta Music on ’Whole Lotta Red’
Whole Lotta Red demonstrates Playboi Carti's commitment to dynamic growth and experimentation. However, it's painfully apparent that Carti needs more features.
Flo Milli Bottles Pure “Bad Bitch” Energy on ‘Ho, Why Is You Here?’
The idea that a female rap project is a failure for being one-note -- especially when that note is confident and sexy -- ruins what a project like Flo Milli's Ho, Why Is You Here? has to offer: fun in its purest form.
Swoll Reveals Subtle Power via “Shudder to Think” (premiere)
Electronic rockers Swoll craft a powerful song in "Shudder to Think" that moves beyond boundaries.
Young Thug Gets Forthright on ‘So Much Fun’
The world's most inscrutable rapper, Young Thug makes clear what he's saying and where he stands on his most forthright release yet.
‘Ascend’ Is Illenium’s Most Emo Album Yet
On his third album, Ascend, EDM's Illenium heads for the big time with his integrity pretty much intact.
Brits in Hot Weather #16
Brits in Hot Weather features five of the best new British songs. In this edition, we have trap-infused indie from 13XL, the compelling electronics of Le Module, anthemic indie from the Polarity, barrelling post-hardcore from Cagework, and sunshine filled house from Disciples.
Overloaded and Undercooked: Juice WRLD’s ‘Death Race for Love’
The type of personality drawn in by a hyperviolent fantasy demolition derby headed up by a killer clown is likely very similar to that which most closely identifies with Juice WRLD's unfocused emotional ramblings.
Silk Road Assassins Create a Wholly Original Genre-Defying Electronic Album with ‘State of Ruin’
Silk Road Assassins use sci-fi sound design as a means of exploring the minimalist structures of trap and grime on the magnificent State of Ruin.
Nixxon Brings Pop Touches to His Trap Sound on “Bizerk” (premiere)
Nixxon's latest album Black Velvet continues in the tradition of heavy, booming trap beats and smoky atmospherics. Hear new single "Bizerk" now.
