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'. 

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'. 

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'. 

REVIEW: NEIL YOUNG - BEFORE AND AFTER

4/5

Young and Old.

Digging through crates to make his catalogue heavier than Sears, for years Neil Young has been officially releasing previously bootlegged albums, and reissuing some of his finest work. Now, in the same week The Killers turn in some 'Rebel Diamonds' for a new greatest hits package to unwrap this Christmas, Neil Young gives us another best of...with a twist. 'Before and After', the 45th studio album from the Canadian-American, singer-songwriter and Reprise records, is exactly that. An acoustic re-take and recording of some of his past songs. 13 to be exact. Lucky for us. Scrawling chalk on the sidewalk for this artwork, Young paves the way like He Who Remains to a new one. Mere months after taking us to London, England and Tokyo, Japan with his 'Odeon Budokan' via the Hammersmith and Nippon. The trilogy of 'I'm The Ocean'/'Homefires'/'Burned' keeps those ones as such, singling this retrospective re-recording out in promotion. 

Conceived by Young and producer Lou Alder, this here and now from way back when is a "trip into musical history" with a tour guide who uses his great Canadian-American songbook as a road map. Epic and eclectic, it gives lesser known relics from the vault a new craft and curation worthy of their own gallery as he repaints his masterpiece. After the big-three EP, this album intended to be listened to in its entirety in a single setting is actually just one track, 48-minutes long without interruption. "A music montage with no beginnings or endings" says the man himself. The same could be said for the everlasting harvest of Neil Young's career we hope never meets the moon.

Harvesting some of his most wonderful work over the last couple of years that has kept me company and from being lonely in this Japanese journey, Young makes us feel forever that with the Gibson, even in our older years. After he keeps the 'Homefires', 'Burned', Neil finds himself 'On The Way Home' like the 'Last Time Around'. But it's 'If You Got Love' that really resonates. "When you walk in a room/You hold your head up high/You talk to people eye to eye/There's nothing to hide/You're feeling so complete inside/Your heart feels so complete inside/Because you got love", he sings beautifully in his trademark register like the Cat Stevens words of wisdom from a father to a son, for not only the most legendary lyrics of these lines, but his legacy as a whole. 

This is how he 'Sleeps With Angels' on 'A Dream That Can Last', riding to the glory on a Crazy Horse, singing, "All the lights were turned down low/And no one wondered or had to go/Out on the corner the angels say/There is a better life for me someday/I feel like I died and went to heaven/The cupboards are bare, but the streets are paved with gold." This and 'My Heart' of the 'Angels' is all for the 'Birds' like following the 'Gold Rush'. But we ask 'Are You Passionate', 'When I Hold You In My Arms'? This Young man certainly is, brooding like a shopfront to let, "New buildings going up, old buildings going down/New signs going up, old signs coming down/You got to hold on to something in this life." Times and hands may change, but when it comes to the one you hold closest, the heart of matters never does.

"Oh, freedom land, can you let this go?/Down to the streets where the numbers grow/Respect Mother Earth and Her giving ways/Or trade away our children's days/Or trade away our children's days", once more with feeling, Neil Young sings for 'Mother Earth', like a deeper and darker 'Earth Song' from Michael Jackson. We didn't way back then, but will we heed the re-recorded warning called out now? On this classically curated collection, 'Mr. Soul' rides with Buffalo Springfield again. Yet it 'Comes A Time' that this album title-track needs to be heard again in a whole new, calming acoustic light. Capturing it all in the words of, "You and I, we were captured/We took our souls, and we flew away/We were right, we were giving/That's how we kept what we gave away/Oh, this old world keeps spinnin' 'round/It's a wonder tall trees ain't layin' down/There comes a time", before an inspired instrumental break. 

And before this one comes to an end in the after, here we have, 'Don't Forget Love' to remember in parting. The Crazy Horse dragging an unbridled heart away as best it could like a Rolling Stone wild one. Steed singing, again and again, "don't forget love" like, "When you're angry, and you're lashing out, don't forget love/You don't know what you're talking about, don't forget love/When the wind blows through the crime scene and the TV man starts talking fast, don't forget love." We may argue, but our hearts our the glue that keeps all this together. Tying together his hits and the lesser known gems from his jewel cases, before this, Neil was a legend, after this, Young's legacy will only get greater. There's a rich body of work here that's fully fleshed out as he drops the needle. This reissue is his freshest take yet. You've never heard these afterthoughts like this before. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'If You Got Love', 'When I Hold You In My Arms', 'Mother Earth'. 

REVIEW: THE KILLERS - REBEL DIAMONDS

5/5

Diamonds Are Forever.

The Killer like Fassbender and Fincher this fall, after making one, Brandon Flowers and his Las Vegas band are on a victory lap on the Sin City strip. Winning this in-season tournament like the new NBA Cup with 'Rebel Diamonds'. Their second best of collection after taking 'Direct Hits' on the first half of their career and giving us another one with their 'Shot At The Night' gamble that paid off. This 20 strong set of hindsight vision closes with the new single 'Spirit' that will leave yours in a stunning trance. "Wiped out, sucking on the fumes of a long-gone flame/Can you leverage love?/Can you process pain?/It grabs you by the night/My dreams are big and bathing in light, so/Come on, touch me, I'm a live wire/Wait, don't cover my eyes/When darkness dampens my sight/My dreams are big and bathing in light", Flowers blooms on this lasting fire that's as ever as the Holy Spirit they channel in a sinful land of high rollers. Spinning the roulette wheel once more on a retrospective, Vegas' finest like the two-time WNBA back-to-back champ comes up aces. 

These diamonds mine more to mark the 20th anniversary of their definitive debut that's opening half played like a greatest hits in itself. Four of those formidable fussing tracks begin this celebration for your heat check. The soul soldiers arming up with 'Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine', 'Mr. Brightside', 'All These Things That I've Done' and 'Somebody Told Me' (that you had a girlfriend) for their catalogue battalion. Most best acts today would finish their greatest hits there, and be lucky to have that many over the span of their career. Let alone to begin a damn debut LP. Yet this band went hard out the gate like the King against the Kings. 'When You Were Young', or should I say, "we"? This was the soundtrack to 'Read My Mind' like nostalgia ("The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds/Cut out of the sun/Can you read my mind?"). From 'Sam's Town' to Tokyo, Japan. The next stage of The Killers turned them dancer and a Ziggy Stardust Bowie for this 'Spaceman' with a 'Human' touch like Springsteen. Storming the gates of Graceland like a Boss reaching for Elvis, they follow these 'Dustland Fairytale(s)', with what up against the wall was one of their best albums, 'Battle Born'. Now, 'The Man' may answer, "I don't give a damn" to that question of why that song from the soundtrack that saw Christian Bale put a 'Vice' grip of Donald Cheney with Adam McKay is the only 'Wonderful, Wonderful' diamond here. But we would have liked to have been able to 'Run For Cover' too. Never mind, this album has hits in spades like the vivid videos of holdovers 'Boy' and the across the tracks 'Your Side Of Town'. 

'Caution', 'Imploding The Mirage' there's even more in store from their latter albums, featuring the incredible 'My Own Soul's Warning' that tells us, "If you could see through the banner of the sun/Into eternity's eyes, like a vision reaching down to you/Would you turn away?/What if it knew you by your name?/What kind of words would cut through the clutter of the whirlwind of these days?" Lifting us out of the planet pandemic of 2020, questioning us to adjust to a new normal, or our own unique path. A year later, still in uncertain times, they gave us their last album and the 'Pressure Machine' of some Springsteen idol like social commentary. The title track put in blue collar work, and the words from a 'Quiet Town' will subtly echo for eternity through the reverberations. "A couple of kids got hit by a Union Pacific train/Carrying sheet metal and household appliances through the pouring rain/They were planning on getting married after graduation/Had a little baby girl, trouble came and shut it down/Things like that ain't supposed to happen", a forlorn Flowers forewarns with this history lesson an animated video that amazes. Brandon branding his American open road dream lyrics with the lace of what happens if you give up the chase. There's hope in the heart of these Killers, bringing new life to the heartland of Americana. We hope the roulette keeps turning for these rebels with a cause, and it doesn't fade to black in a snake's eyes. Seeing red, these diamonds shine with their greatest cuts. Time to give these records another spin. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Spirit', 'Boy', 'Your Side Of Town'.

REVIEW: NICKI MINAJ - PINK FRIDAY 2

4/5

Pink Friday Night Lights

Here's your eagerly anticipated, long-awaited, New Music Pink Friday. It may have been delayed more times than flights at Christmas, but superstar rapper Nicki Minaj is back this festive season to unwrap the sequel. 'Pink Friday 2' strives to be better than the original, over shocking streets and teddy bear riding subway beats above her own created city. Roman returns b#####s! Just like Young Money after Drake gave us 'For All The Dogs'. But this one is for the queens with the crown. You know whose holding it again now. The one with all eyes on her and her incredible body of work. Reloaded for the first time in a half decade since 'Queen', the descendant of Missy Elliott's ('Beep Beep' like the Roadrunner), Lil Kim's and Salt...with a little bit of Pepa reunites with October's Very Own this December to 'Needle' us. Following the money of Drake's latest and Lil' Wayne's own 'Welcome 2 Collegrove' collaboration album with 2 Chainz, with the Weezy F feature 'RNB', alongside Tate Kobang. Lourdiz rides 'Cowgirl' and Lil Uzi Vert also features on a monster 22 track album like the latest Rhymes 'Blockbusta' that brings 'Everybody' to the party. Skillibeng and Skeng keep it moving 'Forward From Trini' for this worldwide rapped up release. Whilst beautiful 'Blessings' come from Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Yet the most formidable features come from the man whose albums don't come with them, on the J. Cole assisted 'Let Me Calm Down' and the Future 'Nicki Hendrix' number which might just rack up its own collaboration album in the future like 'What A Time To Be Alive'.

Life is good this Friday, spearheaded by the successful singles 'Super Freaky Girl' that really gets its f#####g freak on, and 'Last Time I Saw You' that delves even deeper still. Freaking straight to the number one spot on the Billboard 100. The first female rapper to do so since 'That Thing' that the great Lauryn Hill did with her 'Miseducation' 'Doo Wop'. Just like the inspired into 'Are You Gone Already' that like Billie Eilish's 'What Was I Made For' asks the most vulnerable of questions from the jump. "In three days, you'd meet Papa (Like it like that, mm)/The waiting, the gazing/The painting, the raging/The ravin', the pacing/The praying, the shaking/I must admit, I was breaking/I must admit, I was taking/I must admit, my heart was racing/Telephone ring, he didn't make it/I just believed you wakin'/A memory in the makin'/Call me/Won't you call me? (Call)/No, you gone." This is quite possibly the most meaningful and best work Minaj has ever done...oh, and a sampled Eilish is on the track too. Right before darling Nicki gets 'Barbie Dangerous' and back to the raps in the year of that monster Mattel Margot Robbie movie from Greta Gerwig. A 'Barbie World' that Minaj also entered via the Aqua sampling soundtrack. Who else, but the one that holds the keys to that kingdom...not to mention all the toys?

"Fierce, fun and unapologetic" like this 'Megatron' transforming told Jimmy Fallon, this late night affair will leave you reeling and reacting to this host like the time she dedicated her award win speech and dress to Michael B. Jordan in acceptance. Shout out to the G.O.A.T. The creed of this sequel that with 'Roman Reloaded' makes an unofficial trilogy clears some of the sweetest samples you've ever heard in the rap game. Nicki waxes lyrical over Eilish's 'When's The Party Over', the 'Notorious Thugs' of B.I.G. and Bones (on the harmony of 'Barbie Dangerous'), like a precursor to 'Nicki Hendrix', and Wacka Flocka Fame's 'F### The Club Up' on the more commercially viable 'FTCU'. Travis Scott's 'Pornography' presents 'Pink Birthday', whilst Junior Senior 'Move(s) Your Feet' for everybody. The Trinadadian rapper brings Dave Kelly's 'Stink' and 'Showtime' riddims to this 'Forward From Trini'. But the best samples belong with Lumidee's iconic "uh oooh's" of 'Never Leave You' on 'Red Ruby da Sleeze', Blondie's 'Heart Of Glass' on 'My Life', and Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' game changer on 'Pink Friday Girls'. Not to mention the 'Super Freak' of Rick James b#### for this 'Super Freaky Girl'. But in closing with the beautiful, brooding 'Just The Memories' (which itself samples Beenie Man's 'Stop Live in a de Pass'), Nicki says it all as memories don't leave like people do. "I 'member when I was the girl that everybody doubted/When every label turned me down, and then they laughed about it/I 'member goin' home and writin' fifty more raps." Now they will always remember her, as there's never been another. With her fifth album and first in five, Minaj mesmerizes. Even the Empire State Building turned pink like an exclamation point this Friday for the Queen's regal return. No King has got s### on this. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Super Freaky Girl', 'Are You Gone Already', 'Just The Memories'. 

REVIEW: MIKE SHINODA - THE CRIMSON CHAPTER EP

4/5

Crimson Peak. 

Through death, depression and despair, even without the dearly departed, late, great Chester Bennington, Linkin Park remain one of the greatest acts of our generation. Their 'Hybrid Theory' of mixing rock and rap for the MTV generation even went on a 'Collision Course' with hip-hop GOAT, Jay-Z. With their seventh seal in 2017, Linkin Park gave us 'One More Light' with their last LP, shining creatively and differently in its own one. Since then LP co-founder and Fort Minor bandsman, Mike Shinoda has continued his stirring solo work that has worked with everyone from Lupe Fiasco, to Styles Of Beyond. In 2018, he became 'Post Traumatic' and since then has been working on volume after volume of his work, like the 'Dropped Frames' trilogy. It's been a minute like midnight since the pandemic, when his last record dropped, but now the needle hits a new song that's 'Already Over' and a new extended play for Mike Kenji Shinoda titled 'The Crimson Chapter'.

Crimson and clover, over and over, there are many mixes of the lead, strong single here, including a major Fort Minor one. The crimson tide of this king sings as Mike Shinoda on 'Already Over' tells us, "Bruises, broken in pieces/Spread out 'til they didn't exist/Losing sight of what's decent/And too righteous to know what you did/Maybe it's just survival/Optimistic, but blind/Maybe it's just denial/Out of sight, out of mind." Many still wonder on the fate of his band and whether Linkin Park is now already over after losing a man we all miss and simply can't replace like Michael Hutchence of INXS ( although the great Terence Trent Darby did more than a decent job live on stage for one night only). But remember this park's garden was sown by five famous members and one co-headliner as Shinoda sings, "Floating in between places/Somewhere that the signal won't work/Hoping you could be nameless/Washed off of the edge of the earth/Maybe you're just entitled/Unaware of your crime/Maybe it's just denial/Out of sight, out of mind," for maybe the most personal and profound songwriting of his cohesive and collective career.

Reorganizing this to a second part, Mike also drops a Finer mix of 'Fine' that's exactly that. On this track he spits, "Fingers stretching out from nowhere/Reaching for my throat, they're/Hungry for my skin/Teeth wide smiling that they found me/Circling around me/Slowly closing in while you sing", bringing new order to his 'Post Traumatic' hit. Then, 'In My Head' he delves even deeper. The 'Scream VI' soundtrack stab featuring Kailee Morgue cutting with lines like, "Coming around/Thoughts are intruding, I'm pushing them down/Stopping it now/Blocking out, in fact I'm blocking it out/Holding too tight/Kidding myself, turn a wrong into right/Thief in the night/I've been the one putting gas in the lights." This ghostface is a killer, and like Wu-Tang nothing to f### with on an EP whose crimson artwork takes you back to the days when Jared Leto's fellow nu-metal band Thirty Seconds To Mars was just a beautiful lie. The artist, whose canvas work can be found in the Japanese American National Museum, paints a perfect picture. This Los Angeles star like Shohei, referencing Ichiro as an angel watches over him, knocks it out the park. The verses in this chapter keep the blood running in this hereafter. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Already Over', 'fine (Finer Mix)', 'In My Head (Feat. Kailee Morgue)'.