Chesstown King's Reviews and Thoughts

 I recently beat Astro Bot for PS5 and oh my god was it a blast to play! The game is a literal love letter to the Sony Playstation brand. Astro Bot is cute little protagonist. He has the ability to punch enemies and objects.  He also has a booster jump which can also be used to beat certain enemies too. In addition you get certain devices that help you such as a rocket boosting dog....or a monkey with extending arms. There's a whole lot more too. As with the PS5 tech demo the game has incredible haptic feedback for all your actions. That PS5 controller is awesome! The game has so many incredible stages. It kinda of reminds me of Kirby and the Forgotten Land in that you are looking for your lost crew mate robots on each stage. You'll go through a stage and find (sometimes very cleverly) hidden crew mates and also these puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces unlock new building on your crash site home planet. Unlike Kirby tho you must find a certain number of robot buddies to take on ...

 I've got the new Kehlani album but I need to review this one first as its from 2024. Crash is kinda like a new look for Kehlani....you could argue her 2020 and 2022 albums were really similar.(but really great too). "Next 2 U" is a frantic record but it works. "After Hours" is the big smash. I really love that song with its Caribbean  feel. "What I Want" is a great song too. The song "Sucia" is interesting but I wasn't feeling it all that much. "8" was simple but effective.Kehlani is again great here. The production is pretty solid too. Overall tho it doesn't seem to match some of her earlier works. Kehlani is really one of the better R&B divas of this era in my opinion. No debate there. Lyrics 22 Beats 22 Depth 23 Tilt 22 Verdict 89

 I happened to beat this game recently for the first time in I was just in awe at how epic this game is. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake (which I played on the ps4). This game was a ps5 exclusive however. I know I needed a ps5 if I was gonna play it. And last year I made that happen. This is a continuation of the story of Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Barrett as they fight against the Shinra Corporation and the evil Sephiroth. I'll try not spoil much. When the game starts you play as Zack who is a solider like Cloud. You saw Zack at the end of Remake. Basically story wise there is another dimension in this game and you play as Zach in it here and there. There is a relationship meter that the main character Cloud has with every party member….answering certain questions one way or another will change the relationship. I found this to be a cool touch that the first game barely had any resemblance of. The game's graphics are outstanding and characters look ...

 Another review that I meant to do earlier. This was Usher's album that came out with his Super Bowl performance. The album gets off to a good start with the title track and single "Good Good". Both Summer Walker and 21 Savage do very well on that track. "A-Town Girl" featuring Latto really works well too. Overall the album is pretty well rounded. I did feel it had one or too many tracks that didn't stand out in the latter half of the album. The song "BIG" is kinda comical as Usher sings he always gets the big combo at fast food places. Overall though its a solid album from Usher. The production is good. Unfortunately there just aren't really any amazing songs like Usher usually has on his albums. Lyrics 22 Beats 22 Depth 21 Tilt 22 Verdict 87

 I meant to review this album way back in 2024. For some reason I always associated it with when I got it....I had Corona Virus when I copped this smh lol. It was awful. However I listened to the album a little bit since then. Dua does a great job here. Lead single "Houdini" is absolutely a banger! The beat is infectious and I love the chorus. "Training Season" features her in her element as well. "These Walls' is a pretty ok song but it seems kinda cookie cutter in my opinion. I really liked "Whatcha Doing" with its uptempo beat. "Illusion" was another hot song. Overall most of these songs are good, but the replay value (tilt) I didn't find to be the album's strong suit....maybe it's because this is what we got after the phenomenal Future Nostalgia (which I reviewed). Overall tho, great album miss Dua Lipa.  Lyrics 23 Beats 22 Depth 23 Tilt 21 Verdict 89

 I gotta admit I delayed getting this album but it was on sale. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. There’s some good tracks here… “Bomb” has Kanye’s daughters rap/talking. It’s part cute but also kinda corny. “Fried” and “530” I liked. Kanye says “you don’t love me, listen to Drake bitch”. lol. There are some really bad songs like “Husband”. God it’s awful. Overall the album features pretty basic lyrics. Like with Vultures 1 he's just not talking about much of nothing.  The production is decent tho across the album. "Sky City" was another highlight. Ultimately its not a horrible album but very disapoininting cause there were glimpses of good there....in the midst of a lot of mediocre tracks. Lyrics 17 Beats 20 Depth 17 Tilt 18 Verdict 72

 I gotta admit this album took a while to grow on me. At its worst it kinda sounds like a rehash of some of his older work. Some of these songs are really catchy tho, like "Fuckin Up the Disco" and "Flame". The song "Technicolor" is entirely too long and drags on. "Love & War" was a really smooth highlight. The album isn't bad, in fact I prefer it to the very underwhelming Man of the Woods album which I also reviewed. The production is good but a step down from what I'm used to on a JT record. So yeah most of these songs were good....if you're a fan of his give this a spin....if not start with some of his older albums.  Lyrics 22 Beats 21 Depth 22 Tilt 21 Verdict 86

 I've got to admit this album really really impressed me. I really found myself liking most of these songs. It reminded me of Glorilla's album which I reviewed earlier but this one is better. The album gets off to a good start with "Big Mama" and Blick Sum". Latto has a lot of bravado on the mic and she sounds great over these dirty south beats. The album does kinda slow down a bit when it gets to the R&B themed songs, but they're not bad. There's a huge guest list: Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, Coco Jones, Mariah the Scientist, Cardi B and more. I really enjoyed "Put it on da Floor Again" and "Brokey". The latter is a major hit imo. I can only hope Cardi B's album later this year will be this good...cause Latto definitely did her thing! Lyrics 22 Beats 24 Depth 23 Tilt 22 Verdict 91

 I really really enjoyed this album. I didn't like the self titled all that much that came out in 2021, but this is fire. "Black & Blue" the first song is so damn smooth. Things get a lot darker with "Government Cheese". Lyrically Vince is great, and I love the cohesive production too. "Nothing Matters" was another highlight. I found the Liars skit and the final track to be pretty intersting."Étouffée" might be the best song. I don't have a lot to say about the album. I liked every song but I've got to admit he's made better albums in the past. Still tho Vince's discography is looking very impressive man. Lyrics 23 Beats 23 Depth 25 Tilt 22 Verdict 93

 Ok I am a big Schoolboy Q fan. I gotta say I love this album...but believe it or not what kept me from getting it till fall 2024 was that horrendous album artwork lol. I mean damn its gross! Schoolboy has some great flows and lyricism on this album. "Thank god 4 me" is absolute flames. "Blueslides" is another highlight. There's something about the song "first" that is just so catchy to me. "Yern" is also pretty hard man. The guest list is minimal but it works. The production is really good here too. The album isn't quite as good as Blank Face to me but its definitely a major improvement over his last album Crash Talk. Definitely check this one out. Lyrics 24 Beats 23 Depth 23 Tilt 23 Verdict 93

 Tinashe dropped another great album in 2024. This one is short like its predecessor. These songs are good, but, as a huge Tinashe fan I kinda wanted more. She's kinda playing it safe on most of these songs. The first song "No Stimulation" is really catchy. "Nasty" the lead single is fire but far a top 10 song from her imo. "No Broke Boys" is a female anthem that is guaranteed to bring the energy. The production is really cohesive....and Tinashe puts on a good performance even if the last album I felt she was a tad bit better. Ultimately its a great album, and I'm curious to see where she goes next. Lyrics 22 Beats 23 Depth 22 Tilt 23 Verdict 90

 This latest Big Sean album is honestly kinda difficult to review. Big Sean is really laid back here for the most part. He's mellow and mature here which makes this not sound like most of his discography. "Typecast" is a good song. I really like "Certified" too. There actually is quite the guest list on this album....some are good like Charlie Wilson. Some are kinda phoned in like Kodak Black. The beats are good but not amazing. The beat on "Yes" is straight fire tho. Overall I liked most of these songs but Big Sean's new artistic direction can be a bit boring at times so I can see why a lot of people didn't like this album. If you're a fan you gotta give this one a spin. Lyrics 23 Beats 21 Depth 22 Tilt 22 Verdict 88

I remember not originally wanting to get this album...but I'm glad I did. Glorilla is a good female rapper. She reps Memphis and this definitely feels like a dirty south album. The guest spots for the most part are pretty well used; like Latto on "Procedure" and Sexy Red on "What You Know About Me". "TGIF" is a certified banger. "How I Look" with Megan thee Stallion might be the best song however. I really like "Let Her Cook" too. The production on this album is pretty good. I liked most of the songs but the gospel song  "Rain Down On Me" felt out of place....but hey at least she tried something different. Some of the songs sounded kinda too similar but mostly its a good album. I look forward to her next album. Lyrics 22 Beats 22 Depth 22 Tilt 22 Verdict 88

 I gotta admit I wasn't a fan of hers at all before I heard this album. A lot of these songs are really catchy as she brings a lot of charm to them. "Taste" is a great opener.....then she hits you with the infectious "Please Please Please". I love the chorus....the un edited version is so funny. "Bed Chem" is a song that I loved after it became a radio hit. Sabrina's singing is pretty damn good....not amazing but definitely good. "Good Graces" is another banger. Of course tho...on this album, "Espresso" is as good as it gets. I don't like every song here but for the most part this is a solid album with great production. She's basically what Katy Perry was in 2010.... Lyrics 22 Beats 23 Depth 23 Tilt 23 Verdict 91

 This is an album I liked a whole lot from first listen. I just love how personal he is on this album. His mom kinda acts as an unofficial narrator here. The album gets off to a good start with its first 3 tracks. "Noid", the lead single is really creative with its African singing and dope beat. I've just got to say while Tyler as an MC is as good as ever, the beats here are phenomenal. "Sticky" is my favorite song. It features GloRilla, Sexyy Red, & Lil Wayne. "I Killed You" was another highlight. I really enjoyed "Thought I Was Dead" which featured Schoolboy Q and Santigold. Some songs like "Judge Judy" were a little odd....but all in all I liked most every song. Overall its honestly hard to say if this is Tyler's best album....at first I thought it was but then I've given older albums like Call Me If You Get Lost as spin and I don't think this eclipses that.  Lyrics 23 Beats 25 Depth 24 Tilt 23 Verdict 95

Long story short this is a great return to form for Ariana. Sure her last album Posistions wasn't bad but it was a little below her standards. This one is incredible tho...somewhere around where Thank U,Next was. The best song is "the boy is mine" a take on the classic song by Brandy and Monica. And notice how those 2 lent their talents to a radio remix of the song! "yes, and?" is another terrific song. You gotta admit "bye" is a real bop too. Ariana's lyrics and singing is terrific here. The production I found pretty damn good too....if maybe a step behind the lyrical performance. Honestly there aren't really any bad songs here. No its not her best album but its not that far behind. Lyrics 25 Beats 23 Depth 25 Tilt 24 Veridict 97

 While this is probably the most easily digestible Kendrick album yet....I didn't wanna rush my review. This is an album that got better the more I listened to it. Kendrick really spits well here. The album is mostly banger songs with few concepts. The production is really good...as good as any he's rapped on. "Wacced Out Murals" is an excellent intro....and who isn't feeling the major banger that is "Squabble Up". Kdot and SZA showcase great chemistry on the Luther Vandross sampling "Luther". "Reincarnated" is another highlight as he tackles an old 2pac beat. I didnt like every song as the title track is kinda lackluster. I love how we tells his story on "Heart Pt. 6.". The album closer, "Gloria", is strong too. Ultimately I feel this is a weaker album in his discography but its still a terrific album.  Lyrics 24 Beats 24 Depth 23 Tilt 23 Verdict 94

 This review is pretty late but hey I've finally got to it. I've got to admit this is one of Logic's best album's to date. It's technically a sequel to The Incredible True Story ; which was a great album in its own right. The album follows the space adventures of Thomas and Kai. I love the skits here just like on the predecessor. From the skits tho, the narrative tells a story before the events of TITS. Logic is just in top form on this album lyrically. The album opens with "Paul Rodriguez" which is a long lyrical assault. "Mission Control" is where Logic flips the beat on Gucci Mane's "Lemonade". In fact this album is just full of call backs to TITS. The production is pretty damn good too. I liked every song but some more than others obviously. Overall yeah Logic imo has nothing left to prove after this incredible 3 album run of  Vinyl Days, College Park, and now Ultra 85.  Lyrics 24 Beats 23 Depth 25 Tilt 25 Verdict 97

 I gotta admit I didn't like this album that much when I first heard it over half a year ago. I've heard that Kid Cudi doesn't exactly play to his strengths....that's partly true. I do like his rapping here tho. Honestly most songs here kinda blend together....."Keep Bouncin'" is really hype....and it gets the album off to a good start. "At The Party" with Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott may be my favorite song. "Wow" with A$AP Rocky is another highlight. Overall tho I feel this album tries too hard to be trendy. Cudi needed to put more of his pain into it. I mean a happy Cudi album isn't a bad thing but it really seems odd to me. You're not getting alot of singing or hums here know what I mean? However the production I found to be very good. Cudi is one of my favorite rappers like top 20 and I guess this will do for 2024. Lyrics 20 Beats 23 Depth 21 Tilt 21 Verdict 85

 The latest Eminem album is pretty good, but perhaps a little disappointing overall. The theme is Eminem is killing off his infamous Slimshady persona. There are so many funny lines and disses on this album. Notably against the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Megan Thee Stallion, Diddy, and Candace Owens.Lyrically Eminem is near top form. Some of his bars and flows are just amazing here like on "Fuel" with JID. The lead single, "Houdini" is the usual party track like songs he's done in the past like "The Real Slimshady" or "Without Me". It really grew on me. The album's production is nothing special but not bad. I liked most of these songs but songs like "Head Honcho" and "Road Rage" were kinda average. The back to back songs "Lucifer" and "Antichrist" are really good tho. "Brand New Dance" is a fun song. Sounds straight from his Encore era cause well it was."Temporary" is a great song ...