Music: 2016 Album Reviews...So Far

VIEWS / Drake

The highly hyped fifth album from Drake was released on May 6, 2016. “VIEWS” includes

Drake’s latest radio hits, “One Dance” and “Hotline Bling”. However throughout the catalog of 20 songs, a soulful biography of Drake’s latest vices and virtues flow over an arrangement of lustrous production. “Keep The Family Close”, the intro track, gracefully sets the mood for the entire album. And that mood is undoubtedly about a girl. And the wonders of why she did him wrong. “I had to let go of us to see what I could do”, sings Drake in “Feel No Ways”.

The Life of Pablo / Kanye West

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Kanye West is an oddly unique individual. His off the record antics keep him in the public eye for a wide-range of discreditable reasons, but to give credit where it is due; Kanye’s album, “The Life of Pablo” might be one of his best. TLOP is meant to be listened to from started to finish; not just one track at a time. Kanye does a great job of connecting the pieces together even though some of the lyrics seem a bit extreme.

The Colour in Anything / James Blake

To follow-up 2013’s “Overgrown”, James Blake answers with, “The Colour in Anything”. James Blake is known for his amazing producing talent mixed with mournful vocals. All are featured in “The Colour in Anything”, but the only thing missing is Blake’s experimentation. James Blake’s self-titled album released in 2011 was full of different sounds ranging from Jazz to Dubstep. This essentially put him on the map. Quite possibly he has found the sound he was looking for. “The Colour in Anything” plays like an extension of “Overgrown”. But it’s not meant to be overlooked by any means.

I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful… / The 1975

The 1975 strike again with their second LP, “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful...” I got the chance to see The 1975 play their self-titled album in a smaller venue when they were unknowns. The next time I caught the guys was in support of their latest release. This time they were playing to a sold-out crowd at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The studio version of the album sounds great, but the live version sounds amazing. You have to hear “Loving You” live. The album does not do the record justice. They have really stepped up their game from all levels of production. My official review would be; get your tickets in advance!

At Night, Alone / Mike Posner

I love and I think the general population loves a story. Mike Posner demonstrates incredible song writing talent with, “At Night, Alone.” Favorites from the album would be, “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” and “One Hell of a Song”. He opens up about his days in the music industry both past and present. “My name is just a reminder of a pop song people forgot” sings Mike in “Ibiza”. And it’s quite true.

Until next time!

Music & Lifestyle

Taj Simpson is OLE MASON JAR's Director of Music and Lifestyle and lives in Las Vegas, NV. Always dressed for the right occasion, Taj also has a keen ear for the right sound...keeping us at the forefront of the music scene, and in tune with the freshest tracks and artists you may / or may not have heard of.