REVIEW: HAIM - I QUIT

4/5

Don't Quit Your Day Job

Never quitting whilst they're ahead, the sisterhood of Haim is back! Recently, I was talking to a bassist friend about the bands and albums that got us through COVID. Mine was definitely Haim's magnum California opus, 'Women In Music Pt. III', which was locked down for almost as long as we were. Ever since hearing the iconic, Lou Reed-esque, "Du-du, du-du-du-du/Du-du-du-du, du-du-du-du-du's" of 'Summer Girl' and its Paul Thomas Anderson video for The Valley Girls, I knew we had a classic on our hands, even if that does make me sound a little like LeBron James. Helping me through the isolation of social distance, halfway across the world, just one month after starting a new job in Tokyo, I needed 'WIMPIII'. Now, after Alana Haim starred in PTA's 'Licorice Pizza', award favourite movie, not to mention a bonus 'Lost Track', we get 'I Quit' from the sisters. Dealing with Danielle's break-up, and Este's, before she got engaged and broke my heart. Not to mention, all those men from the magazine who refuse to acclaim them as the rock goddesses that they are. C###s!

Haim keep it Hollywood like only they can with Anderson's fresh, dry-clean store took photo album artwork, and neon sign. Not to mention the La La Land paparazzi promotional photos for their singles, like the latest 'All Over Me' (featuring Will Poulter and co for the sexiest video since Maggie Rogers 'In The Living Room'), or the 'Relationships' first single, inspired by Nicole Kidman walking away from divorce court, with more relief than when we left our homes after quarantine. That vivid video of the summer girls features 'Queer' actor Drew Starkey. And if that wasn't enough, the second single video, and best of the set, 'Down To Be Wrong', features Percy Jackson himself, Logan Lerman, being haunted in his hotel by three ghosts that make those of Christmas past look like humbug. Bah! This is just a great slew of singles. Like the grungy, 90s take of 'Everybody's Trying To Figure Me Out' (co-written by Justin Vernon after Danielle appeared on Bon Iver's 'If Only I Could Wait'), that is just classic Haim. Or the Weezer like 'Memories' of 'Take Me Back', featuring a photo album music video that will take a s### in the back of your truck. No coke, or Molly!

A subtle, soft rock classic, that is as undeniable as it is understated, you'll hear it as soon as you're 'Gone' like the opener, that like the saxophone of 'Los Angeles' hits differently in its opening act. Sampling some of George Michael's 'Freedom'. This Colombia and Polydor album, and first in five years, is well worth the wait. Released exactly one month before my 40th (I'm just saying) and the beginnings of their tour that will see them play the Fuji Rock festival, here in Japan, alongside the likes of The Hives and headliner Vampire Weekend. Not only have they upped the ante of their definitive 'Days Are Gone' debut, and sweet spot follow-up 'Something To Tell You', they're also pushing the envelope of their signature sound that's now legacy in Cali' for all you Mamas and Papas, or Chili Peppers. The fact that they haven't played 'Everybody's Live (In LA) With John Mulaney' is a crime. 'The Farm' details these sisters having each other's backs during dark days. 'Million Years' sounds like nothing they've ever done before. Hollywood's own Alana takes the lead on '...Spinning'. Whilst the closing of 'Now It's Time' features a sick sample for your Shazams!

Remember when Haim solved a murder mystery with Este (how could anybody?) on Taylor Swift's 'No Body, No Crime', before Swiftie became the fourth sister on a deluxe edition remix of 'Gasoline'? Well, 'Blood On The Streets' has country tracks too, with its storytelling roots. Meanwhile, 'Cry' is epic and emotional. Whilst, 'Try To Feel My Pain' takes the church organs of Norah Jones' 'I Just Wanna Dance' up a notch for even more spirit. Another highlight is 'Lucky Stars', which counts on lyrics like, "I was on my own and finally/Trying to heal myself with all the/Roaring trains of change and doubt that/Pulled in the station/Your inner light beamed blue and green/Something 'bout it made you seem like/You could fill the seat next to me/Without complication." "I would take off the chain/But you wouldn't stop the rain/And now it's coming down/Flooding out this whole house", Danielle sings on 'Love You Right' as all three siblings found themselves single before making this cathartic, therapeutic album that has them ready to party now they're back in it. Quit?! Are you kidding me?! I will never quit on my best band. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Down To Be Wrong', 'The Farm', 'Lucky Stars'.

Spin This: Haim - 'Women In Music Pt. III'

REVIEW: SLICK RICK - VICTORY

4/5

Rick Flair

Ready for 'Another Great Adventure' of the one and only, Slick Rick? Because The Ruler's well and truly back behind these bars, for the first time in 26 years and 1999's, 'The Art Of Storytelling'. Call it a comeback, like LL Cool J's 'The Force', or MC Lyte's '1 Of 1', with more legends to come for this great day, no, year in hip-hop. A few calendars following its half-century celebration. As a matter of fact, call it a 'Victory' in black and white as the eye patch is back to reclaim his crown, like all those jewels that run with him. The greatest British rapper of all-time, who found a home in New York, brings it all back together with the likes of Giggs ('Stress'), Nas ('Documents') and actor/musician Idris Elba providing the visual album. From Mandy Aragones' spoken-word intro, to the 'I Did That dedication, and interludes dedicated to 'Mother Teresa' and the 'Matrix', Morpheus, Ricky D is still fresh like Doug E. A Slick Rick era begins again.

Y'all tucked in? Heeere we go! On 'Angelic', Rick raps, "Ladidadi, quick, daddy, come shipment/Another rumble in this b####, daddy, once hit chords/Do you want another hit, papi? Quick to stitch/Who told me I should quick, daddy? Bore me broad/Body starts to dip, daddy, holy s###, kid/Big time in this b####, daddy, hold the force/Who's sexier than a b####, daddy? Blast a bar/Angelic type of hit, daddy, crash me car" with a formidable flow over beautiful beats. And it goes on and on, on 'Foreign', as the British/Jamaican/American is no stranger to these shores, reworking his grandpa's old favourite to something you'll love...even if grandaddy don't. But hey, 'Come On Let's Go' and rock with rhymes like, "Sеxiness a crime, kid, what time is it?/Flying, Richard, I guеss 'bout/Gets next round 'fore we gets out/Steps out, cab route, gets 'bout/Now back to insult to intelli'/Yelling, any see the felon, shelling, killing run and tell him/What!/But there isn't, square isn't/Ya nerd!"

As real and raw as it gets, but the freshest since he got 'Irresistible Delicious' with Missy Elliott (thank you, Missy!), it gets even slicker on the "Well, it's the first of the month, my, where the time went? (Ding-dong)/Hello, you wanna give my rent? (Give me my rent)/You're three months behind, chick, I'm highly disappointed/Tired of huntin' you down like America's most wanted/Now hurry up, my car's in traffic/Oh, great, another excuse not to have it/"My poor kid's short, Rick," your excuses sure get sadder/But, chick, you're not paying my mortgage (My rent)" rhymes collected for 'Landlord' and the greatest storyteller hip-hop has ever had. It gets even deeper on 'Spirit To Cry' and down on 'So You're Having My Baby', which references Shyne, J-Lo and you know who. Hip-hop may have taken some hits lately (namely the evils of Diddy), but the best of the best still reign. 'Cux I'm Here', Ricky says with "So kid Slick Rick, here we go!/Walkin', sportin', New York, son!/Spot two chicks hop skip, ice blinging!" Victory is his! And 'We're No Losing' as "Champion еxcelsiors/Or dismantle myself is/Any opportunity/Sеnd me out to ruin these/End you, all are soon to see/Anyway, I'm bothering/Acting like a snob like something I can offer them/While on the flip side" attests. Crown it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Stress (Feat. Giggs)', 'Documents (Feat. NaS)', 'Spirit To Cry'

Spin This: Slick Rick - 'The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick'.

 

REVIEW: NEIL YOUNG AND THE CHROME HEARTS -TALKIN TO THE TREES

3.5/5

The Tree Of Life

Like a 1959 Cadillac sticking out the sand, 'On The Beach', Neil Young is back with some Chrome Hearts for you crazy horses, with power. But this time, you can find them planted in the forest for 'Talkin To The Trees', Young's 48th album on The Other Shoe and Reprise Records. Recorded in the legendary Shangri La studios of Malibu and produced by the legendary Lou Adler (The Mamas and the Papas, Carole King), a regular courtside fixture at Laker games, like Jack Nicholson. Opening with 'Family Life' in dedication, and 'Thankful' in tribute closing, this album like it's pencilled in, guitar holding cover is as real as it gets, taking it to "fascists" in "Teslas", coiling around the chords. Fearful of the 'Dark Mirage' in this upside down world, singing "Well I lost my little girl/To the darkness inside/Her mama's gone now/And there's nowhere to hide." Hoping to make it to the warmth of the 'First Fire Of Winter', where it's "time to gather wood and feeling/It's time to walk among the love."

"Time's ripe now for changin'" he laments like a lost Dylan. Flying on the same 'Silver Eagle' he ran to, through the title-track. Rocking in this world until it's free as 'Let's Roll Again' strums that notion into a devotion. "The climate is changing, why aren't you" a banner asks as Young beds peace in the sediment of the mother earth that really laid our roots. Calling Ford, GM, Chrysler and of course, America to "get in the race". Adding "China's way ahead, they're buildin' clean cars", as he lights a fire under the hood of those who need to know we can't take this same road forever. 'Big Change' is coming, like the ultimate protest song that sings, "Might be a politician/Tryna say something new/Might be your decision/Now you've got to see it through/Looks like a collision/Ain't the worst that you could do/Might be bad, might be good/Big change is coming to you." The man who took on Spotify isn't afraid of the President, as this Canadian knows you can't take his land, like Mike Myers on SNL with "elbows up!"

'Movin' Ahead', the man with almost as many bands as he has albums, keeps on trucking on chrome wheels and steel hearts. "Keep movin' ahead, wherever you go, movin' ahead/That's the way home, that's the way home/On in the future where the love is found/Where the love is found, where the love is found/Yeah, movin' ahead where the love is all 'round/That's the word, the word is good/Good for the soul to sing like it should/Movin' ahead, movin' ahead", he sings to anyone who feels they can believe again. Or wants too. Rolled up for a message in a 'Bottle Of Love'. "Open fields of heaven waiting/For that little girl, still in her eyes/Years of love we were creating/Taking the time to fly/All your tears are being saved/In a bottle of love. The man married to Darryl Hannah makes a beautiful splash as the trees sway. Musk, Trump. They can all get it, as they're falling out on Young's big and bold new album of chrome. But really, among all this mess, what he's looking for best, is peace and prosperity of this land, and the earth that makes it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Family Life', 'Big Change', 'Thankful'.

Spin This: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - 'Early Daze'.

REVIEW: CYNTHIA ERIVO - I FORGIVE YOU

4/5

Wicked Wisdom 

Forgive me not, but Cynthia Erivo is wicked good. In the same week that the terrific trailer for her highly-anticipated sequel to her smash hit movie, with fellow pop princess Ariana Grande ('Wicked For Good'), comes out, we get a brand-new studio album from Stockwell, London's finest. All on the same New Music Friday that fellow actor Finn Wolfhard, of 'Stranger Things' fame, tries his hand at making an indie album ('Happy Birthday'). You'd be forgiven for forgetting all about Lil' Wayne's sequel to his own series, 'Tha Carter VI', when there's so much movie-making going on. Only a few months after she was off to duet with The Wizard of Oz himself, Jeff Goldblum, like Grande, on the jazzy Mildrid Snitzer Orchestra, 'Still Blooming'. Erivo's epic is her first solo set since 2021's 'Ch. 1 Vs. 1', which peaked at number Luka Dončić (77) on the Billboard Hot 100. Figure this one to do even better numbers after the 'Wicked' soundtrack became a number one hit like the movie it underscored.

Defying gravity, once again, Cynthia is as compelling as she was in playing everything from the real as it gets Harriet Tubman (sorry, Julia Roberts' publicist), to 'Pinocchio's' Blue Fairy. The 'Widows', 'Bad Times At The El Royale' and 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' star has always had a voice. And as soon as the atmospheric and classic 'More Than Twice' comes into play, you won't think twice, like the great Celine Dion's voice. Cynthia Erivo is just that much of a powerhouse singer on 'I Forgive You' as pop continues to be in the pure place of pride that recent albums from Miley Cyrus and fellow actress Selena Gomez (with production partner and hubby to be, Benny Blanco) have proven. Spreading her black swan wings, like her gorgeous and glamorous nails and baring all in black and white, the angelic, shaven head singer gives us songwriting at its most stripped down and beautiful in this script.

Singles that 'Replay' like 'The Worst Of Me' (or 'Best Of Me' beginning), take the lead on the Verve of this 20-track Republic record, all the way to the 'Grace' notes that call it a day. Inspired interludes, akin to what the likes of Carl Thomas used to do, punctuate this collection (Annie Lennox's 'Why', 'Until You Saw Me' and the title-track), feeling like songs themselves, like the cover of Marin Gaye's 'I Want You', done with yearning decadence. Building 'Brick By Brick' in the chamber of the heart, Cynthia asks, "I'll apologise, I swear I will/But you first/I'll bring back your smile, your joy to fill/But you first/I'll turn a blind eye while with your beauty you beguile/But you first/But you." Honed for two years with songwriter and producer Will Wells, this sensual and sexual album takes cues off everybody from Toni Braxton to Prince as it unbreaks your heart like the beautiful ones. Smashing any picture, that 'Wicked' would be her green day, typecast success, Erivo previewed the likes of 'She Said', 'Why' and 'I Choose Love' at a London listening event to rave reviews.

Embracing and expressing everything about herself, not to mention the grand genres of pop, R&B, folk and gospel music, this album of the week may also be the most personal and profound part of Cynthia's career. The 'Push And Pull' comes with the likes of 'Save Me From You' ("I saw how you saw me when I looked in your eyes/The hurt that you buried in the grave of your heart/And I still remember the tears that you left/They live like a scar on my mind") and 'Play The Woman' ("Do you wanna start a game where I guess where you are?/I'll close my eyes, hold my arms out and try to close the space between us/I could run these hands of mine down the map of your spine/Feel how your heat against my fingertips could make the blood in me rush"). Outstandingly operatic. Agonisingly atmospheric. This is 'What You Want' in all the devoted dedications that make pop more mature and not just a global genre. It's a 'Holy Refrain' that reaches for the Holy Ghost to tell you that you'll 'Be Okay'. We all have dark days and low points. On 'How Could I Fall', Cynthia is with us, singing in solidarity "Laughter, you feel like laughter/Rolling around in this rapture/You're a singular delight, and I'm captured." Sometimes when we fall again, it's because we fall in love...and that's when we soar. What's gravity when the wings of an angel sweep us away? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'More Than Twice', 'I Want You (Interlude)', 'Grace'.

Spin This: 'Wicked: The Soundtrack'.

REVIEW: FINN WOLFHARD - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

3.5/5

Birthday Boy

Different things are happening with 'Stranger Things' star Finn Wolfhard. It's a new day for the 'Ghostbusters' franchise face in this chapter two. In the same week that Eleven's Mike appeared on Netflix's Tudum promoting the fifth and final season of 'Stranger Things' coming this fall, rocking a buzz cut, the former floppy haired kid follows in the footsteps of Scoops Ahoy co-stars Maya Hawke and Joe Kerry in releasing a solo album. 'Happy Birthday' comes after his work with The Aubreys ('Karaoke Alone' and the EP, 'Soda & Pie') and features the singles 'Crown', 'Trailers After Dark' (with a beautifully created video), 'Choose The Latter' (with two videos to choose from, pre- and post-cut) and the outstanding 'Objection!' for his grandpa. "The snow is starting to fall, circling Waterloo/The coat that's soaked from the bar/The cursed witches' brew/The happiness of it all, set back by you", Finn sings for his geologist grandfather.

A lovely lyricist, who makes art with his studio canvas, like the amazing album cover, Finn Wolfhard's raw and ready 'Birthday' confirms him as a compelling indie darling with daring. Especially on 'Everytown There's A Darling', or the opening title-track as you blow the candles out. Think of him like a young Pete Yorn, who had a 'Break-Up' with a Black Widow, before appearing as an actor himself in Scorsese's 'Killers Of The Flower Moon'. But 'Wait', there's more on this nine-track when Wolfhard growls, "I can't sing anymore/How many more?/How many days?/Sinkin', speakin'/How many more I have to wait?/Just watch me fall into the deep/And the great beyond wraps around my feet/Ooo-ooo-oo-oo, oo-ooo-oo-oo/Ooo-ooo-oo-oo, oo-ooo-oo-oo/Ooo-ooo-oo-oo, oo-ooo-oo-oo", in closing. Lost in the woods with Bon Iver sensibilities and vivid vulnerability. In a crowded New Music Friday, from the 'Wicked' good Cynthia Erivo, to Lil' Wayne getting another 'Carter', this is one of the best. Let alone better than 90% of movie stars that turn into music ones. And that's no insult. From 'Jurassic World' star Scarlett Johansson, to 'Frankenstein's' Oscar Isaac, they all hold their own.

On 'Eat', he really knows how to as he reels us in with some beautiful bait, like, "You got me hooked, I'm a fish on a line/Steady hands, I know I roll in with the tide/You know, I know, I've waited all day/You know, I know, I've waited all day/My body's eating itself all day/My body's eating itself all day/Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh." The fan of the harmonies knows how to all make it flow together like, 3, 6, 9, as one, two, three, he gives us the eighth wonder of 'You' (and more "oohs", and we love it) and a perfectly penned dear devotion in a young songwriter that knows how to do more than just deliver a script written by somebody else. "Can't breathe when you talk to me/Loneliness says all the things that you mean/I'm not lost on you but you're staring at me/Comin' out to say the words and roll down my stream," is all his own, and it means much more as he crosses the streams to his own studio space. Sounding like a fresh breath, as he turns his career upside down before his directorial debut, Happy Birthday to you, Finn Wolfhard. Forget a mic drop, it's time to pick this up. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Crown', 'Objection!', 'Everytown There's A Darling'.

Spin This: Maya Hawke - 'Chaos Angel'

REVIEW: LIL' WAYNE - THA CARTER VI

3.5/5

Wayne's World

Get Carter. Because he's back. Lil' Tunechi. Lil' Wayne. Weezy F. Baby. Please say the "baby". And it may be the last time, for the first time since 'The Funeral' of 2020. Or 2023's collaborative album with 2 Chainz ('Welcome 2 Collegrove'). The sinister sixth instalment of 'Tha Carter' series, for the best one since Shawn, is one of the most stellar in a set which hit its peak in its trilogy, highlighted by a 'Lollipop' tour of the Las Vegas strip with the late, great Static Major (rest peacefully). Now for Dwayne Carter's fourteenth album, he brings out the big guns, as the block is hot again with skateboards and guitars for the rock star who is also not a human being. Seven years since 'Tha Carter V', this sixth sense seals the deal for one of the best rap runs for the record.

Since the reunion with Nicki Minaj and Drake and the beef with Birdman, Weezy has been busy. He gave us 'Tha Fix Before Tha VI' as he continued to make monumental mixtapes, and he also reacted to a Superbowl snub in his hometown New Orleans with a commercial for his classic home run. Recently he's been trying to clear Billie Eilish samples, and move on from this album's production partner, Kanye West, due to his own controversies. Even without two of the biggest names in the industry, another one still does the business. BigXthaPlug and Jay Jones show they are 'Hip-Hop' on a track as such. Whilst the grillz jaws of Wayne get their teeth into a monster collaboration, swimming with the 'Sharks' of Jelly Roll and Big Sean. The 'Collegrove' connection with 2 Chainz is back again on the sweet, single made 'Cotton Candy', but there's a real reunion with Hot Boy Mannie Fresh on 'Bein Myself'. Meanwhile, Lil Novi arrives on 'Mula Komin In' and Kameron Carter shows he's one on 'Rari'. Like father, like son.

There may be 'No Love' on another great Eminem collaboration (we can't wait for those two to 'Drop The World' again), however 'Alone In The Studio With My Gun', there is one with MGK and Kodack Black for your snap. Still, from taking the crown as 'King Carter', to rocking the 'Bells' like LL, Wayne shows he is still a part of 'Written History' when it comes to rap's legacy. He doesn't need any help, he can release almost 20 track albums all by himself, like Celine Dion. His response record, 'Banned From NO', helps prove that as he 'Welcome(s) (us) To Tha Carter' once again. The rest is just 'Peanuts 2 N Elephant', as the tattooed child returns for 'Illmatic' like album art, even if ears would have Dumbo on this track. The biggest blockbuster collaborations come from outside the hip-hop sphere, for some of the best records on the LP. U2's Bono is back for 'The Days' after his work on DMX's posthumous album. Whilst Andrea Bocelli gives us the operatic love of 'Maria', along with Wyclef, who did that twice with a 'Supernatural' Santana. The Fugee giving us his best Wayne's world collaboration since the priceless mixtape gem 'Operate On Me'.

"I'm lit off the stove, you ain't gotta reheat it/I been getting dough, I just had to redeem it/I just talked to Hov and he told me he seen me/Funny, heard the same thing when I talked to Stevie, damn," Wayne raps on 'Flex Up' as he pushes rhymes like Ice Cube weight. Going against anybody, whatever the weather. Drizzy or not. The villain gets his 'Loki's Theme' revenge, as the God trickster has plenty of magic up his sleeve. Although a little off-key with his 'Island In The Sun' sample, Weezer F. Baby makes light work of 'Island Holiday's' harmony refrain on a green album classic, asking "What you drinkin', baby (sip, sip)". At this point, the rap God and rock star is playing with us as he ponders, 'If I Played Guitar'. Knowing, damn well ('Rebirth'), that he does. "She be playing mind games and I'm a master minder/I'm a sucker for love, but I ain't pacifier/But I can't deny ya, I'm a man on fire/She's a man-eater and I was just an appetizer/But if s### get out of hand, I keep sanitizer/She said, "I'm too hot for your ass," and now my pants on fire". Keeping those relationship records on point. We hope this isn't the break-up, like Young Thug releasing the name change of 'Barter 6' in his honour. But if this really is it, like 'The Days' being used in the NBA Finals too, Wayne still wins. Hitting big like Tyrese Haliburton. Now, he's the real MVP, OK? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Bells', 'The Days (Feat. Bono)', 'Maria (Feat. Wyclef & Andrea Bocelli)'.

Spin This: Lil'Wayne - 'Tha Carter IV'