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Friday 15 March 2024

MOVIE REVIEW: TAYLOR SWIFT - THE ERAS TOUR (TAYLOR'S VERSION)


4/5

The Americana Dream.

211 Mins. Starring: Taylor Swift. Director: Sam Wrench. On: Disney +.

Tokyo, Japan. The middle of February means Valentine's Day (fun fact, in Japan, February the 14th is the day when women attempt to woo men like a leap year. Whereas, one month later on 'White Day', the men reply with a gift. Talk about getting left on read). Football fans know different, though. On any given Sunday in February, it's Super Bowl time. And as Taylor Swift played almost a week's worth of shows in the Rising Sun's capital, many 'Lovers' wondered whether she would make it back in time for the Sunday showcase featuring her partner, Kansas City Chief tight-end Travis Kelce. Especially with the last show on Saturday night. But the superstar, hero and biggest star on the planet did like only she could...and of course time zones would allow. But I wouldn't put it past Swift being able to go back in time as she brings all her eras back, like re-recording her albums so she could own it all in a master move. The same way the "Swiftenomics" of the biggest tour of all-time has stimulated the American economy (we need that here in Japan too). Prior to all this, the Japanese government had even issued a Taylor made official deceleration on paper that the Super Bowl would not get in the way of the singer performing the entirety of her Tokyo leg, day-by-day. An album announcement as big as best baseball player Shohei Ohtani (check out his Disney doc 'Beyond A Dream') revealing his wife to be Fujitsu Red Wave basketball star Mamiko Tanaka (expect a Kelce wave of fame now) also came in Japan for 'The Tortured Poets Department' (best Wes Anderson movie name ever). This is just how big Miss Americana is. She's an international incident. You could just tell from the legions of fans queueing up like only the Japanese could in a merch line that would equate to most major groups gig lines for the first day of sales of the actual tickets. And for those who couldn't cop a last minute one (hands up), for reasons we won't get into, they congregated and sang together outside, making new friends and memories in beautiful moments that showed how much Swift really does break down barriers, even in a socially shy land like Japan.

The Swifties were out in full force in the Far East like only a BTS Army could match for the biggest act in pop, whose still a little bit country, like a diamond Shania Twain, and one of the best folks in the biz. If you missed out on 'The Eras Tour' in any arena (it's just wrapped up a spot in Singapore), and even the cinemas that became concert halls for the sold out shows of the movie, you can now catch it with Mickey Mouse in the comfort of your own home and laptop speakers that can still bring the full force of all the power she had to bear on the jumbotrons of football stadiums she touched down in all around the world before she embraced her beau after his big win. Disney + is now the home for the three and a half hour epic 'Eras' show, making sure no one will miss this one of a kind event. To watch crimson and clover until your heart's content. Following 'Folklore' behind the scenes tales on Disney, and the Netflix 'Americana' standing next to Beyoncé's and a 'Five Foot Two' Gaga, this is the best concert film available to stream since BTS gave you 'Permission To Dance'. Directed by Sam Wrench, this AMC and Cinemark Theatres landmark hit is as cinematic as the biggest blockbuster of last year ('Barbenheimer' we're looking in your direction). And when Taylor makes her epic 'Eras' entrance underneath some Las Vegas like showwomanship, it's like a superhero entered the picture as she really sticks the landing. Mining heartbreak into gold.

And this Elvis will never leave the building, as she makes planet earth her residency like a Hollywood star in the 90s when we were more concerned about what was on the big screen than what was reflected on our "smart" ones. Those major film studios that passed on this distribution might want to order a plate of humble pie the next time they book a table at Planet Hollywood. They needn't have had reservations. Outside of 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie's' world, this has done the popcorn business. It would have been the biggest Marvel movie of the year from the star who is rumoured to play Lady Deadpool in the forthcoming 'Deadpool and Wolverine' film starring her friend Blake Lively's husband. Another friend joked with Swift about all the albums she didn't tour, making some of her best, folky work during our socially isolated pandemic. "What are you going to do, tour them all and do three-hour shows?" Responding like Nashville's Man In Black Johnny Cash when told it looks like he was going to a funeral, "exactly". Swift got her Springsteen at sixty on and brought each and every house down, night after night, after night. And you can see the California love of the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood here for your inspiration. I mean, this is a major player who even has a banner in the Lakers arena, presented to her by the late, great Kobe Bryant, even before one of his two jerseys made it up to those rafters he raised 'chips in. This cinematic rendering like a BeyoncĂ© 'Renaissance' is a revelation that even impressed Oscar winning director Christopher Nolan who had the best film of the year. And now, like 'Oppenheimer' showing in Japan this month after the controversy and sensitivity, you can finally see what we missed. Classic choreography of all the Taylor made hits and star power of pop and perhaps now movie's biggest star. The trend these days may be to call everything an era (even your fashion choices and life decisions), but none is quite like Taylor's version. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Taylor Swift-Miss Americana', 'Taylor Swift: Folklore (The Long Pond Studio Sessions)', 'BTS: Permission To Dance- On Stage LA'.

Friday 8 March 2024

REVIEW: NORAH JONES - VISIONS

 


4/5

Norahvisions.

Ahead of the release of yesterday's ninth wonder of a Norah Jones album ('Visions'), the Los Angeles Times ran a piece to celebrate this album coming out a day after International Women's Day (let's hear it for them, always). They called the legendary Jones, one of the last "success stories of the CD era". And the diamond 'Come Away With Me' released an amazing twenty years ago when Norah was just 23 shows. It went platinum four times in its first 12 months of release and resulted in an armful of Grammys and an iconic portrait from that event for the smoky and smouldering vocal singer and songwriter. Since then, from the 'Sunrise' of 'Feels Like Home', to the personal favourite for deeper meaning that Norah says is for each individual fan, 'Rosie's Lullaby' of 'Not Too Late', she's released classics by the millions. 'Chasing Pirates' and switching it up for 'The Fall', before taking 'Happy Pills' on a whole new style that killed it like 'Miriam'. When it came time to 'Begin Again', the amazing artist who has made albums with everyone from Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi ('Rome' with Jack White) to Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong ('Foreverly' for The Everly Brothers), not to mention formed supergroups like Puss N Boots, or The Little Willies (for Nelson, not your appendage), considered releasing playlists instead of albums. Thankfully, she brought it back to the basics of the 'Day Breaks' jazzy beginnings. All before 2020's pandemic, 'Pick Me Up Off The Floor' did the very same thing to us amidst our collective struggles.

It's been a long time, but Miss Jones has been busy since then. Touring (seeing her in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Nippon Budokan in with someone I loved was an absolute dream) and putting festive albums under your tree. If you thought that Jones covering the Christmas classics like Beatles numbers atop the Empire State Building was cool (more like bitterly cold at that time of year), then you should hear the original Yuletide standards from this 'Jolly Jones' on a bicycle in Brooklyn. Now, New York's finest, and one of the America greats who deserves her place next to the Springsteens and Dylans like the ever underrated Ben Harper, takes another left turn for the bolder and better. Giving us one of the first marquee albums of the year, like her friends in Green Day. In what looks like a new Maggie Rogers treat of a first quarter. 'Running' with it like her stellar first single that brings those same 'Sunrise' sing-a-long harmonies back, this Blue Note beauty saves the best for last like the 'That's Life' outstanding original that could stand next to the Sinatra song of the same name. On the powerhouse penultimate, 'Alone With My Thoughts', Jones muses, "Let's try a test/Through space and through time/I'll whisper your name/It'll bounce down the line/Slowly explode into showers of shine/Ooh, ooh." And this album of rough but ready demos with the El Michels Affair Dap King Leon Michels does exactly that in the staples of its psychedelic seventies soul ready to surf.

'Paradise' perfect like the video filmed on a Super Bowl stranded Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles, looking like Coney Island, 'Visions' sees an even greater path at the end of Route 66. 'Staring At The Wall' like the studio session released in YouTube anticipation like a Tiny Desk Concert for your NPR. Norah's been doing this since the pandemic, and her title track cuts even deeper in these times. Telling us, "We met under the willow tree/You stood in front of me/Now I don't like surprises/But the look in your eyes/Is coming at me wise like a freight train." From the inspired intro 'All This Time', as iconic as the 'Good Morning' of those with 'Little Broken Hearts', this 'Queen Of The Sea' swims on a Bruce boardwalk. Born to ride the waves of change as the refrains of the revelatory 'I Just Wanna Dance' cuts the rug and all your troubles away. 'Swept Up In The Night' like the lyrics of, "Wings of God before my eyes/I stare but never act surprised/I need you so." Then in the morning after, "I'm finally awake/There were times when I lost my mind/But now I'm fine/I'm finally awake/Stuck in your sadness, swallowed me away/But I'm finally awake/The thumping in the walls is the beat of my own heart/But I'm finally awake" ('I'm Awake'). Whether it be the unreleased 'Until My Heart Is Found', or the "stop and stare/Breathe the air/No one cares what you have to say/Solitude makes me rude/But in time, we all laugh and play" of 'On My Way', Norah Jones has released another classic for her catalogue. Critics will call it like they see it, and over the decades of her great age, they'll cherry-pick and choose which albums they deem the best with their trends of what's in and what's out. What's clear to hear, however, is there has hardly been an amazing artist as consistent. They're all compelling chapters in her own great American songbook, but run with this spin off of sorts and all the trajectories her style might take her with substance. Like a tour t-shirt we'll always have a Jones for Norah. But this wonder of innervisions takes you even higher, breaking new ground. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Running', 'Alone With My Thoughts', 'That's Life'.

Saturday 24 February 2024

REVIEW: MGMT - LOSS OF LIFE


4/5

Love and Loss.

It's no longer time to pretend. The fifth album from psychedelic synth pop act MGMT is here. And with a 'Loss Of Life', it's all change for the 'Oracular Spectacular' legend's first release since the smartphone checking live album '11.11.11' of 2022. For one, the French icon of Christine and the Queens appears on the delightful 'Dancing In Babylon', marking the first guest appearance featuring on an album from collaborators Andrew VanWyngarden and Benjamin Goldwasser. 'Congratulations', Chris. Their first album on the new Mom + Pop label is also their first studio one in six years since the 'Little Dark Age' of 2018 and what a return it is. Marked by the sweet singles (like the latest with the Queens), 'Mother Nature', 'Bubblegum Dog' and 'Nothing To Declare', across the airport in a music video starring YouTube inspiration Inga Petry. 

Rocking on the horse of a classic album cover, it's actually the 'Love and Loss' title-track(s) in both their parts (the second starting and setting everything off) that really hit home now the duo are back where they belong. Channelling indie rock and even Britpop in an Oasis of a Blur, MGMT still know how to push the envelope, even though, in this post Empire Of The Sun age, where they now seem like a throwback akin to The Strokes, they aren't dressing up like they're about to drop all sorts at Woodstock. The test pressing of this "elf of soils" with a Warhol like banana on top is art, just when you thought these two were going to split and part. "LOL", this anagram really does cook for the fans on Insta who know what we're talking about. The pair, proud of what they dub a, "relatively painless birth after a lengthy gestation period", are pregnant with pure sounds for an immaculate conception. 'People In The Streets' can see and hear the highlight that graffities lyrics like, "Life keeps on going/Showing you things that you can't unsee/In the sense of unknowing why/Anything happens to be/And just as the sun comes out again/Something is blocking the light/But it's alright/The inside's still glowing/Telling the heart what it wants to hear/But what if it's only lies/Twisted apart by fear?" What if indeed, in this perplexed day and age in need of the natural high, Goldwasser and VanWyngarden bring in the gold of their Eden.

Nothing to declare? Well, 'Nothing Changes' they say in words that may actually do that to you if you haven't experienced loss and life's wounds yet. "This is what the birds must have been squawking about/Right before the dream was ending/And maybe you'd have heard if you'd stopped f###### around/When it was time to stop pretending." We told 'The Youth', the time for pretending was over. Well kids, here you have it. It's been a long time since that Patrick Wimberly produced 'Electric Feel', but it's still in there somewhere, and he is too, manning the boards for that sonic studio sound. From 'Phradie's Song' to the title track classic closer that bookends this second-career breakthrough as successful as the 2022 comeback album from the similar sounding, same vein The Mars Volta. Attacking sounds in space and time, 'I Wish I Was Joking' when I said these lines will stay with you down your own one. But when you hear "Half of love is still love/You beg the dawn to ease you in/Pass the time a thousand ways/In the dump, you'll find love/Half the time, I feel sad/And any kind of love will do/But it’s a job, don't know if that's the dream/In a style that’s insincere" you may not look at life the same way again. As we treat love like a ghost that slow fades out like a track on your old CDs, and life like something to swipe past on to the next. But in the same track that references 'Disney On Ice' (who saw that coming?), they tell us, "Here's the thing about drugs/They'll sink your mind and steal your friends," this is the loss the partnership were referring to. The purple haze may have gone to a sombre black tone, but this album is seriously good. Just like life, if you treat it as such. In all its beauty and brutality. For at the end of this dark night, an electric day will rise again. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Dancing In Babylon (Feat. Christine and the Queens)', 'People In The Streets', 'Nothing Changes'.

Friday 9 February 2024

REVIEW: USHER - COMING HOME


3.5/5

Homecoming King.

Usher is about to touchdown like Taylor in Tokyo for this weekend's Superbowl Halftime Show, with Travis watching. But first he had a bombshell to drop with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe, whose show is the new place to go if you want to quarterback some controversy. Diddy. Pharrell. Jay-Z. Usher was on the phone with this big-three like Miami, trying to Voltron form a supergroup for the ages. Now, how epic would have that been? Almost as epic as the Hail Mary he's going to throw this weekend with the likes of 'Boo' Alicia Keys, fellow former child-star turned superstar singer Justin Bieber and Lil Jon (YEAH!) amongst others set to perform with the rightful king of R&B ushering in the best collaboration since Bruno brought out the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Our money's also on Jungkook of BTS. His smash single 'Standing Next To You' is remixed for a beautiful bonus on Usher Raymond's new album 'Coming Home'. The perfect precursor to this weekend's festivities.

It's almost been a decade since the '8701' legend's, who can recreate 'My Way' like it was yesterday, last album was 'Hard II Love'. In that time we've met some seriously good singles, like 'Good Kisser' and 'Don't Waste My Time' that over time have sadly now met the cutting room floor. We're still waiting on more of his 'Confessions' too with super producer Jermaine Dupri for one seriously sought after sequel on the 20th anniversary of a diamond album that did a million and change in one week (that never happens now, unless you're Adele).. Although we did get the 'A' of a Zaytoven collabo album a few years back that snapped. Now for Atlanta, and something else as he eats, the Raymond that everybody loves is holding a peach behind his back to tease his new muscled up album. There are strong singles like the Summer Walker and 21 Savage assisted 'Good Good'. And the lyrical play on themes for the devoted 'Ruin', or the long goodbye with intermissions of the latest 'Kissing Strangers'. If that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, the "peace up, A-town down" singer also drops a crazy sample Nicki Minaj would be proud of in the 'Uptown Girl' riffing 'A-Town' girl with Latto. Genius loves interpolating company.

But super size me this. If you've ever wondered what Usher orders when he's shown his seat in McDonald's (they don't do that?), worry no more. As the Tom Hanks hero shouting out 'Big' answers all that with a play on words. Spoiler alert, it's not a small, and those sandwiches he's talking about might require a few more napkins when he's finished at the table. Tongue in cheek aside, Usher runs for yards on his new album that is about to set up a showstopper. His first album in eight years is his ninth wonder like the producer and his best since he played versus with himself...because face it, few others could go toe-to-toe. Ain't that right Trousersnake? Burna Boy features on the opening album title-track that sings, "Just put me on the right road/Make I run like Usain Bolt/Feel like I'm not even close, ooh,/I'm lost (Ooh-ooh)/Lost in the world (Ooh-ooh)/Like I been searchin', searchin' 'til the kingdom come (Ooh-ooh)". Whilst The-Dream makes a 'Cold Blooded' appearance like Pheelz ('Ruin)'. But standing next to 'Standing Next To You', 'Risk It All' from the soundtrack to 'The Color Purple' with star H.E.R. bolsters this project with even more to help it reign for the one-time prince of this ish. 

'I Am The Party', Usher declares, however when he goes at it alone with choice cuts like 'Luckiest Man' and the penultimate 'One Of Them Ones'. 'Margiela', 'Bop', 'Stone Kold Freak', there's enough new bangers to turn this halftime show into a full concert before Usher Raymond brings out his classics (and how they remind you), let alone the special guests. But on tracks like 'I Love U' ("Why you lookin' so surprised?/Girl, you know you got me/See it in my eyes/How could you doubt me?/It's only in your mind, it's more than a night thing/And you got me high/Catch me, I'm falling") and 'Please U' he knows how to bring the albums back in this Spotify streaming age that snaps quicker than a smartphone chat. Nothing is just 'On The Side' in this 'Room In A Room', like the legend and ATL icon like his symbol chain says as he 'Keep(s) On Dancin'', "I admit breaking up is easier than commitment/But I don't want that for us/Our love is strong enough to never have an ending." Dearly devoted, you ain't seen nothing yet. The party is only getting started. Just wait until the weekend. Here comes the boom of the A-town stomp. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Good Good (Feat. Summer Walker & 21 Savage)', 'A-Town Girl (Feat. Latto)', 'Big'.

Tuesday 23 January 2024

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: BTS - MONUMENTS: BEYOND THE STAR


4/5

Monumental. 

8 Episodes. Starring: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V & Jung Kook. On: Disney +.

Beyond the stars themselves, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, BTS are an ARMY. Like the biggest voice of their fans, telling you to 'Love Yourself', in unison with these idols like you don't need permission. Ones that have already been truly monumental. And even in their 'Hiatus', Disney + is following several of their concert films (most recently, 'Permission To Dance-Live In LA') with a new docuseries 'Monuments: Beyond The Star', that they released episode-by-episode over the Christmas and New Year period. Catching up, this intimate and influential last dance is inspired, with hopes that the best is yet to come in the lives of this South Korean K-Pop phenomenon and the most loyal fanbase in perhaps all of entertainment. Movies, sports, the lot. From the ARMY fangirl and boy with love beginnings, to the mandatory military service that many of the members are going to enlist in, it's been a long and winding road for the biggest band since The Beatles. And even now, their one direction's see them on several solo acts, but you know these big hitters will always return home.

Just like the beginning of a brand new 'Spring Day', a personal favourite that plays out over the closing credits of the final episode in these eight wonders taking fans closer than those clappers that were the only way to communicate in concert during COVID. You can feel the devastation, especially in favourites J-Hope and Jimin, moving in perfect time, like they were still dancing, to this imperfect time, when they are given the news that corona has cancelled their concert. They truly love their fans who have been behind them since day one, before the Billboard 100s, American awards and Grammy invites. This Disney doc that maps the path of these souls and their individual personas. The HYBE hype is real, with co-signs to these singers from chairman Bang Si-Hyuk and 'BEYOND THE STORY : 10-YEAR RECORD OF BTS' author Kang Myeongseok. Compelling and captivating, from the 'Danger' debuts, to speaking out at the United Nations. Or attending high-school graduations, or the ceremonial shaving of the head before South Korean military enlistment. This movie show about these showstoppers of music really strikes the deepest chord. Even when quarantined in their lovely, but lonely apartments, or out fishing a million miles away from the world, you'll catch on to the message and its deeper meaning.

There's plenty of celebrity co-signs here, but you know who the biggest stars are. And they shine so bright. Still, one 'Mic Drop' from super DJ Steve Aoki shows just how far they came. Before the pandemic, a double dose of 'Idol' and 'Boy With Luv' took their worldwide fame to a whole new stratosphere. But then what came after they reached out after social distance, behind the mask, really made monuments and moments that reached out and touched everybody. Including the top of the charts. The big-three of 'Dynamite', 'Butter' and 'Permission To Dance' sealed this seven as the greatest group on the globe. And then, it all stopped again. Or at least took a break. What comes up, must come down...but it always comes back up again like bubbles to the boil. Even if they all go their separate ways. RM's 'Indigo', J-Hope's 'Jack In The Box', Suga AKA Agust-D's 'D-Day' (and his and Hope's own respective making of Disney documentaries), Jimin's 'Face', V's 'Layover', a 'Golden' Jung Kook with the 'Dreamers' of his official World Cup anthem, and what's to come with Jin when he returns from service, after dropping the first solo single since the break ('The Astronaut'). Proof that these Bangtan boys have still got it. No matter how many Blackpink and Seventeen supergroups come after them. They paved the road like Psy. What's beyond this, we don't know. All we can do is wish upon a star for more monuments. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'BTS: Permission To Dance-Live In LA', 'Suga: Road To D-Day', 'J-Hope In The Box'. 

Friday 19 January 2024

REVIEW: GREEN DAY - SAVIORS


4/5

Save The Day. 

We've barely got by the last part of January where it's acceptable to wish people a Happy New Year (we see you Larry David and the last ever season of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', right around the corner), and we're already facing a Green Day. The 'Saviors' are here for one of the first marquee albums of 2024 already following an 'Insano' Kid Cudi last week. And the legendary punk act who are about to go on tour with support from The Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid to celebrate their respective 30th and 20th anniversaries of their legendary and landmark albums 'Dookie' and 'American Idiot' (set to both be performed in their entirety), have been starting the year off right by performing in New York City Subway stations with Jimmy Fallon (and to think we were just there last week). But how many Septembers has it been after we asked to be woken up? Because now Green Day like the Pumpkins, Chilli's and Foo Fighters are considered "Dad rock" pushing 50?! That's crazy. We remember when they were just singing about being stoners and masturbating. Now with their fourteenth(!?) album and their first since 2020s 'Father Of All Motherf#####s' critics are calling 'Saviors' the best album since these Green guys were 'Idiots'.

Spearheaded by a terrific title track as a compelling album cut and four formidable singles, following their 'BBC Sessions' release, the band recorded this Reprise record in London (RAK) and at times even sound like they could have recorded it crossing the zebra to Abbey Road. There's a Sex Pistols feel to the pink and black and white, youthful artwork celebrating burning behind. One taken from the Troubles in Belfast by photographer Chris Steele-Perkins with an altered smile on a young boys face that kind of looks like Billie. 'The American Dream Is Killing Me' Billie Joe Armstrong says in the opening track and single which is their best statement since their last one about a green gunge and grunge American flag, draped in black and white. Hands up for the genius, 'Look Ma, No Brains' follow-up, and the best 'Dilemma' since Kelly Rowland got mad that Nelly wouldn't respond to her Microsoft Excel message. Then there's the 'One Eyed B#####' that really looks into more, promising, "I'm making an offer that you cannot deny/You won't be laughing when I'm making you cry/'Cause, ayy-oh! I hear the pleas get louder/You son of a b####, you're gonna beg and cower/Vendetta is a friend of mine/Revenge is sweeter than wine." Dial V for a Vendetta that's never been better, save Portman and a Guy Fawkes mask. The 'Bobby Sox' of this big-hitting retrain to form knocks it out the park. This album was originally meant to be called '1972' after the year Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool we're born, but the 'Savior' track '1981' reveals even more. Just like 'Living In The' 20s', old sport.

'Goodnight Adeline' and the Cat Stevens rivalling 'Father To A Son' are among the most beautiful work Billie Joe is done since her paid tribute to The Everly Brothers forever ('Foreverly') with the iconic Norah Jones (who is 'Running' with some new 'Visions' coming soon after dominating the last few Christmases). But it's 'Coma City' that will really wake you up in this cold and dry January. Much like the born to run, warm engines that we are revving, already looking forward to a 'Corvette Summer' with the top down. A broken heart of "Will I ever see your face again?/Not just photos from an Instagram/Will you say hello from across the street?/From a place and time we used to meet/Sometimes everything just grows apart/Broken pieces from a busted heart," is applied to 'Suzie Chapsick', before we all admit singing along that 'Strange Days Are Here To Stay' since the pandemic. "Strange days are here to stay/Ever since Bowie died/It hasn't been the same/All the madmen going mental/Grandma's on the fentanyl now/Strange days are here to stay", open the doors to so much more on the same New Music Friday where we get the volume one release of a classic David Bowie live album from the 'Montreux Jazz Festival'. Before the 'Fever' of a bonus track, we also get some 'Fancy Sauce' to drizzle in closing. "Everybody's crazy/Getting stoned and lazy/As we all die young someday/We all die young someday." It's the s### like 'Dookie'. An anthem in these strange days, to save our day and way. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'The American Dream Is Killing Me', '1981', 'Father To A Son'. 

Friday 12 January 2024

REVIEW: KID CUDI - INSANO


3.5/5

Insano In The Membrane. Insano In The Rage.

If you believe the 'Man On The Moon' could stare at the 'Man In The Mirror', then take a look at this. There's a massive silver statue of Kid Cudi right now making the rounds in Los Angeles. Kind of reminding us of the 'History' Michael Jackson made when his own monolith was pulled around London's River Thames to promote his greatest hits package in the mid 90s. Or, better yet, the massive robot he turned into with piercing eyes in MJ's 'Moonwalker' movie (and you thought a werewolf was thrilling). Following his own Netflix movie ('Entergalactic') and soundtrack, Mr. Rager gives us his latest in 'Insano', delivered by DJ Drama like a Tyler creation. It may sound like Cartmen from 'South Park's' robotic alter-ego, but this awesome album is crazy good...and loaded with features. As we still wait for the ray of Lana like SZA, the first big New Music Friday of 2024 gives us a new album from Cudda, 21 Savage (who has just teased the stranger things of his new biopic 'American Dream' starring Caleb McLaughlin and the 'This Is America' of Donald Glover's Childish Gambino) and The LOX across the pond outfit of D-Block Europe. In ALL-CAPS, this Wicked Awesome record starts the calendar off correct. Don't neglect it like movie studios who drop duds in dry January that otherwise would be box office bombs. This ninth wonder is also the Kid's last album with Republic records, who he's been with since 'The End Of Day'.

Painted in amazing artwork, the visual artist, who's just coming off a TV special award win, is riding around in a 'Porsche Topless' (and not just on his alternative album artwork takes). Getting this party started with that single and the second 'At The Party', bound to keep you moving to the 808 sounds of his heartbroken vocals that feel like their own instrument to this inspired pursuit of happiness. Even after what Drake said, this Kid is still legit. And even without Kanye, Cudi still makes goo...no G.R.E.A.T. music, as others just court controversy. If they weren't enough promotional singles for your Gangster Grillz to get your teeth into, then Cudi also hit the streets in black and red with the menacing 'Most Ain't Dennis', and the mesmerizing letting of 'Ill What I Bleed' as sick as Ne-Yo when he let the one that got away walk. Soon, Scott Mescudi could leave the Kid Cudi alter-ego behind for good, but until then he's giving you "pure superhero music." Assembling more capes for his crusade to marvel at, too. Aside from the Drama ('Often I Have These Dreamz' and more), there's Travis Scott on 'Get Off Me' (getting Savage this week with two guest features). A 'Wow' ASAP Rocky. A 'Too Damn High' Lil Yatchy. XXXTentacion on 'X and Cud'. Young Thug on 'Rager Boyz'. And the great Lil' Wayne delivering a classic on the 'Seven' seal. Not to mention Pharrell Williams himself, 'At The Party' with Travis again. A deluxe edition promises even more guest feature spots, like the anti J. Cole album. 'Keep Bouncin'' like A Tribe Called Quest indeed.

Maraurdering around some real mood music, no Drake diss on Joe Budden, Cudi rides this 'ElectroWaveBaby' in this 'Tale Of A Knight' that is the 'Cud Life', rapping, "Superstar (Yeah), how'd I let you wave? (Wave, wave)/Let it high (High), ain't we on our wave? (On our, on our)/Ask me where, I point the sky, just take me closer, I/Come with me, let's fly, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm." Instrumental again in his musical musings in making his harmonies hallmark sounds. Ones that will 'Getcha Gone' like when Jermaine Dupri told you he had to 'Gotcha Getcha'. 'Mr. Coola' is so cold and the cool glass of Kool-Aid you need in a January that needs a little "yeah" to the start of your year. 'Freshie' is that fresh for your 'Tortured' souls as Mescudi reminds us, "My demons there to haunt me, keepin' focused, s###, it sucks, man/I don't give two f#####s what they say about me, own me (Yeah)/I'ma stay so focused, do my dirt up on my lonely." The pain is never top far away from the pleasure, but joy still comes in the new morning and year. This 'Funky Wizard Smoke' will tote-ally put a spell on you like Pottermore, forever more. All the way to the greeting of Mr. 'Blue Sky' that takes you high like, "The sky is blue, oh finally, been dreamin' of this for a while (Yeah)/The sun is shining, blinding, swimmin' in this place of mine (Let's go)/Help me out, pass that blunt, my guy/We're all on a quest to climb, and we're on our way (Hmm, hmm-hmm)." The chorus and the reign the new victory like MJ as you 'Hit The Street In My Nikes' to walk off with this mic drop moment. Just in rose gold, this man may have walked on the moon three times to complete the trilogy, but he's not wearing out his soul. The giant step comes next. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Porsche Topless', 'ElectroWaveBaby', 'Hit The Streets In My Nikes'.