Chesstown King's Reviews and Thoughts

 This new Ariana Grande album is very polarizing it seems but I really like it! The single "hate that I made you love me" is really nice. This album seems to have a different sound than her past works for the most part. It's darker for sure. "Petal" has some really interesting production. Sometimes I found Ariana's singing would be kinda drowned out by some song's production but it rarely happens. "freak" is a highlight. As is "like I do" where she flaunts she'll do her lover better than anyone else. "oh well" has a really nice flow to it too. I could see someone being a little disappointed that this album doesn't really cover anything from her personal life. But the album is really good. Not as good as her last album but it's better than Positions from 2020. I actually have the album cover that shows shoes and her legs and not the regular album cover. So I guess it's the special edition of the album. It says...

 This latest MC album is pretty good. Sure she's beginning to not be as great a singer as she's been....but she's still great. The opener "Mi" is fun and energetic. "Play This Song" features a good Anderson .Paak feature. She straight up raps on "Type Dangerous" but I think it works. I mean let Mariah brag a little bit lol. "Sugar Sweet" with Kehlani is very smooth. Ironically I matched up Mariah and Kehlani in my R&B tournament. Search for that post. Sheneseea also joins the lady on that song. The album's production is good but nothing amazing. I found myself liking most of these songs. I mean at this point Mariah is a legend for sure. The full ranking of Mariah Carey's albums is coming so look out of that. Lyrics 22 Beats 20 Depth 23 Tilt 22 Verdict 87

 This album from Nelly Furtado is like a lost gem to me as I didn't listen to it much over the years. Nelly Furtado partnered with Timbaland for this one and the production is just fantastic. The album gets off to a great start with songs like "Maneater" which is such a banger. Then there's the popular single "Promiscuous" which is a funny concept of a song but catchy as hell. Nelly sings, "Is that the truth or are you talking trash, game MVP like Steve Nash" lol ."In God's Hands" is the slower song but I like the message. "Say It Right" is probably my favorite song here. It's so smooth and unique. "Do It" and "Wait For You" are also amazing. I don't speak Spanish but the 2 Spanish songs "No Hay Iguana" and "Te Busque" weren't bad. Ultimately this is one of the definitive 2000s pop albums.  Lyrics 23 Beats 25 Depth 23 Tilt 25 Verdict 96

I gotta admit this album really grew on me. At first I didn't think too much of it. The album is short at just 9 songs. The first song "Risk It All" is really smooth and has a nice buildup. The single "I Just Might" is a major highlight. The song is really fun!  "God Was Showing Off" might be my favorite song tho. Basically you have an album of well made smooth hits. Bruno does well lyrically. The production, while a low point, isn't bad at all. I liked most of these songs. "Something Serious" is another banger. Sure maybe the album could have been a little more explosive....but Bruno is clearly taking a note of the Silk Sonic collaboration album he did.  Overall its a good album. Definitely check this one out. Lyrics 23 Beats 19 Depth 22 Tilt 21 Verdict 85

  The latest Sabrina Carpenter album is a good one. Sure there aren’t really that many stellar songs but there aren’t any songs I didn’t like that much. Lead single “Manchild” is a solid track. Some other stand outs include "We Almost Broke Up Again" and "Never Getting Laid". On the latter she wishes an ex never has sex again lol. I liked "Sugar Talking" too. "Tears" is a very sexual song...but it's very playful. On some ways Sabrina seems more effective on this album than she was on Short n Sweet.....but in other ways it could be seen as a step down. The production was solid throughout. And yeah I have the version of the album with the deluxe picture....the regular picture is atrocious.....like what was she thinking? Overall though its a win for Sabrina as this is a very well rounded album. Lyrics 22 Beats 23 Depth 23 Tilt 22 Verdict 90

I meant to review this album a long time ago. At this point i'm convinced Alessia is one of music's most underrated artists ever. The first song "Box in the Ocean" is really smooth."Lie to Me" was a great up tempo song.  On "Shapeshifter" she tackles a  lover that constantly switches things up in a negative way. "Drama Queen" is another highlight. I liked the simple execution on "Find My Boy". I found myself liking most of these songs. Alessia's singing is really good. The production is solid too.....but maybe not better than on her debut.  Ultimately I'd say this is her 2nd best album...and yes Ive heard the 4th album. I have yet to review that one.  Lyrics 22 Beats 22 Depth 24 Tilt 23 Verdict 91

 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

 Doja Cat has been one of my favorite rapper/singers of the past few years. Let's see which albums are the best from her. 5) Amala (88)- Doja’s first album is honestly pretty damn good. You can tell she was still refining her sound tho on this. The last 3 songs “Juicy”, “Tia Tamera”, and “Mooo” are so good. “Candy” is another banger. The album is really well balanced being pretty much good in all areas but not really great in any tho. Favorite Track: Mooo. 4) Scarlet (90)- Believe it or not, this was an album I was on the fence about getting. I’m glad I got it. This is a rap heavy album but there’s still plenty of singing here and there. “Demons” and “F**k the GIrls” are Doja at her roughest. “Attention” was a great single. “Agora Hills” is a nice cute track. The monster single “Paint the Town Red” is the best track however. This album wa a big departure for her, but for the most part it paid off. Fav. Track Paint the Town Red. 3) Vie (92)- This was Doja returning to her pop roots,...

 I meant to review this album sooner, but nonetheless its another terrific album from Gaga. The album gets off to a great start with songs "Disease" and "Abracadabra". Lady Gaga is in top form lyrically and vocally here. The production was really exceptional too. "Killah" and "Zombieboy" were also highlights. I really like the album closer with Bruno Mars, "Die With a Smile" too. "Garden of Eden" might be my favorite song. You're basically looking at an album with no bad songs and great replay value (tilt). I mean at this point you can't count out Gaga. This one is a tad bit better than her 2020 album Chromatica. I reviewed that too if you want to read my thoughts about it. Lyrics 25 Beats 24 Depth 25 Tilt 24 Verdict 98

  The much anticipated latest Doja Cat album! I was very curious to see where she'd go after the dark rap heavy Scarlet. The path she took was a 80s sounding pop album. It took a few listens for the album to click with me but yeah its awesome. Doja is in her zone here on this album. She sings a lot and acts as her own featured rap artist which is interesting. The first 3 songs are pretty strong. "Cards" is sultry. I love "Jealous Type" too (the lead single). "AAAH MEN!" might be my favorite song however. The production is great but maybe not the best she's ever had. I liked most every song. "Silly!Fun!" and "Come Back" are also excellent. As far as features go there's only SZA on " Take Me Dancing". So basically we have a very strong album here...but maybe not quite as good as Planet Her but it’s very close. Maybe I'll do a Doja Cat album ranking in the near future. She's been one of my favorite artists sin...

 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 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

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

1.       Justin Timberlake-Future Sex Love Sounds- To be honest I didn’t go back and forth on what was my favorite Pop album like i did R&B. To me this was a clear favorite of favorites. I remember when I got this album in 2007. Clicked immediately. I like every song except the last song. “Sexy Back” and “My Love” are classics. Did I mention the production on this album from TImbaland. Oh man is it great. “LoveStoned” and “Until the End of Time” are also classics. So even amongst my favorite albums in the genre, this one reigns supreme.  2.       Britney Spears-Blackout- Not Britney’s best album but its really one of my favorites. Songs like “Gimme More” and “Break the Ice” are terrific. “Radar” is another good one.This is just one of my favorite albums plain and simple. The production is cohesive and Britney does great on these beats.  3.       Michael Jackson-Thriller- Arguably the greatest album ...

 I really loved Doja Cat's Planet Her album so I had to give her previous work a listen. The album is really good. The sound is varied blending together varying sounds and genres. The first song "Cyber Sex" sets the tone nicely. I really like "Say So" as well. It's so damn catchy. "Bottom Bitch" is also really good. Doja  just has a masterful way of combining singing with rapping. The production is really good here too. The last song "Juicy" which features Tyga may have been on her previous album but its awesome. Ultimately this is a really solid album. I can't say its better than Planet Her but its not far behind. Lyrics 23 Beats 23 Depth 23 Tilt 23 Verdict 92

  Adele finally returned from a 5 plus year hiatus from her 25 album. I really thought 25 was masterful but this album is even better. It starts out really well with the smooth "Stranger's by Nature" and "Easy On Me". On the next track, "My Little Love" she kind of confesses that she has never hated being alone, and now she feels anxious sometimes etc. Vocally and lyrically Adele just knocks it out of the park on this album. I've got to mention that alot of these songs are really long....like 6 minutes. "Oh My God" might be my favorite song here. It doesn't really sound like a typical Adele song. If I have to knock anything on this album it might be the last 3 songs which feel like a bit much. They are all over 6 minutes and are back to back. Overall though...I really love this album. I'm pretty sure this is her best album and at this point you know an Adele album will have high expectations. Lyrics 25 Beats 25 Depth 25 Tilt 25 Ve...

Rihanna is my favorite singer by far. It’s time to take a look at her discography and rank the albums. This was actually very difficult as a lot of these albums are about as great as each other.   8)  A Girl Like Me (89)- This might be her worst album of the bunch but it’s still really good. Her singing is just as great as it was on her debut. “Unfaithful” still gives me the chills all these years later for some reason. “SOS” and “We Ride” are also great. “If It’s Lovin’ You Want” and “Break it Off” have good guest spots too.  Top Tracks: SOS, Kisses Don’t Lie, We Ride, Unfaithful, Break it Off.   7)  Music of the Sun (91 )-Rihanna’s first album is pretty solid actually. Her Caribbean roots are perhaps strongest here than on her other albums. “Pon De Replay”, her lead single may be the best song but there’s quite a few other good ones here like “Here I Go Again” and the incredible “Music of the Sun”. She shows a lot of sass on “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”....

 I can't believe I hadn't reviewed this album yet. Rihanna wanted to make a much darker and edgier album than 2007's Good Girl Gone Bad. There's terrific songs here...in fact...there are no bad songs. "Fire Bomb" is light hearted but I love it. "G4L" is the album's darkest moment as she calls her fellow women to arms. "Stupid in Love" is obviously about Chris Brown( I mean who else?). There's the excellent song "Hard" with Jeezy. "Russian roulette" is provocative but its not one of my favorites. Ultimately this may not be her best album but its one you have to hear.... Lyrics 23 Beats 22 Depth 25 Tilt 23 Verdict 93 Expect a Rihanna worst to best album ranking from me soon. It's gonna be lit.

  This is the first Doja Cat album I've ever heard and I was very surprised by how good it is. She's really talented able to sing and rap with relative ease. Despite that this is categorized as a Pop album and not R&B which I find odd. The big single "Kiss Me More" is incredible. Doja and SZA really do there thing over the lush beat. Other songs on this album rarely disapoint too like "Need to Know" and "Love to Dream". The album gets off to a strong start with "Woman" too. The production is really good here. Overall its a solid album with few average songs but there are some. This really makes me want to listen to her previous albums.  Lyrics: 23 Beats: 23 Depth: 24 Tilt: 23 Verdict 93

Ariana is back with her 3rd album in 3 years. You'd expect there to be some serious slowdown or lack in quality....maybe from a creative standpoint; but I really like this album. The album features Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and Ty Dolla $ign. From a subject matter standpoint, it just doesnt have as much versatility as her previous 2 albums. Her singing is on point tho, and the beats are great. There are some highlights here like "34+35", "motive", "nasty" and the title track. I really do like this album but when I listen to it I feel like I'd rather listen to her previous albums instead. I do still feel Ariana is a force in Pop....maybe the biggest Pop diva besides Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa. Lyrics 24 Beats 23 Depth 23 Tilt 21 Verdict 91