Atlas delves into music [album reviews]

[Samof94]

Grimes - Halfaxa (2010)



Country: Canada
Genre: Ethereal Wave
Subgenre: Synthpop, Art Pop, Witch House, Ambient Pop
Descriptors: ethereal, surreal, atmospheric, female vocals, fantasy, dark, lonely, nocturnal, spiritual, abstract, hypnotic, lush, mysterious, cryptic, avant-garde, medieval, rhythmic, quirky, ominous, psychedelic, lo-fi, repetitive, longing, love, sad
Favorite song: Dream Fortress

10/10

I know this album isn't as well perceived as Visions and Art Angels, but to me, it's still her best. Halfaxa sounds like a trip to a different world. It catches you, and it never let go of you. I've heard a lot of good, even exceptional good music albums in my life, and i still have a lot to discover, but i've never heard something that's similar or comes close to this experience (unfortunately). It's something really unique, that hasn't been done before and not been redone yet. I think the combination ethereal wave + electronic is even unprecenteded.

I feel like everytime i listen it again, i'm sung into high spirits. This album could approximate closest to what heaven may actually sound like, or that's how it feels to me personally. And even though while the whole album might sound ethereal (which is what you might associate with 'heaven'), it secretly might be Grimes' darkest album so far. Compare it with Art Angels, where she sounds a lot more happier while in World ♡ Princess, she sings about the passing of a good friend of her's as an example. The ethereal sound of the album, compared to the dark undertone might be a contradiction, but Grimes can give balance and shape to this album, and it's also contradictive in that Grimes uses samples of medieval phenomens, and combines it with electronic music. Grimes has called Halfaxa her medieval album, and in some way, it's electronic choral music, which explains the weird electronic + ethereal wave combination, but it gives rise to one of the most unique, underrated and unknown masterpieces of the 21st century. Not Art Angels, but Halfaxa is Grimes' creative peak. Art Angels however is the album where Grimes evolves towards a more mainstream and poppy sound while the atmosphere changes from a depressive and isolated nature to a more happy and quirkly nature.

And of course, just like basically any other album of Grimes so far, every song is very qualitative. It's hard for me to pick a favourite out of this selection. Dream Fortress is very iconic, and has created some kind of cult following on the internet. But i really like My Sister Says The Saddest Things as well. Weregild is also very good and I also think World ♡ Princess is exceptionally good, while songs like River, Favriel, Devon and Swan Song are very good as well. This is an album i've started listening four ago, and i'm still regularly listening it. It never gets old for me. Every time i listen it again, it feels like it's the first time again while i quickly get tired of other stuff. That's the main secret of this album, and i'm not sure how it's been done, but it might be because of the hypnotic and dreamy vibe. I often listen to this album when i'm stressed or feel terrified, and this album will reduce my anxiety.

Overall, this is an exceptional music album from an exceptional music artist from who her working style differs quite a lot to similar artists. She creates her own artwork, does her own production and even calls herself more a producer than an actual singer. It's hard to catagorize her or label her a music. She kinda does her own thing. IMO one of the best artists of the 2010's decade.

I love that album!!! 
I also have a soft spot for Canadians in general as a Tegan and Sara fan.

[Samof94]

So Jealous-Tegan and Sara (2004)


Country: Canada
Genre: Indie rock
Subgenre: Indie pop
Descriptors: female vocals, LGBTQ, melodramatic, upbeat, guitar-focused, quirky
9/10
Favorite song: I Know I Know I Know(T)
This album defined my taste in music quite heavily. It isn’t their best album(The Con and Sainthood to a lesser extent have this beat to name other albums from their aughts prime), but it did define this band’s trajectory, which was unusual at the time for a female musician. The fact they weren’t like Etheridge of the Indigo Girls was quite novel too, to name other lesbian musicians who came before them.

The album itself seems to start out with a lot strong, fast paced songs and then, when it hits Where Does The Good Go(T),the pace slows down considerably. It speeds up again after crossing Walking With a Ghost(S)(one of the most important songs in their catalog, alongside the 2010’s pop hit Closer and The previously mentioned song).

Quite predictably for a Tegan and Sara album, it ends with a sad song. The melancholy song I Can’t Take It(S) ends the album. It was about the end of a relationship Sara had with a woman she had been with for four years.

The only problems I can see is that it was still a bit underdeveloped writing wise compared to later albums and a few songs come off as quite weak. Still quite a solid album in my opiniom

[Samof94]

*album review*

I didn't think other people would be interested in writing album reviews, but fine. Should I rename the title of the thread? How should I rename it? Other people: you're welcome to post your reviews too, i'll enter them in the catalogue sorted by user.

F.Y.I. i use RYM as source for genres and descriptors, like: https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/tegan-and-sara/so-jealous/ for your album.

I've listened to a lot of albums. However, i feel not comfortable writing a review for them yet because I didn't listen to them enough (and if I do it's a bad sign, because it indicates i won't give them more spins and that I believe there isn't much to discover for me personally)

Let other people do so. Whether they like Led Zeppelin, Tupac, or Blackpink, they should be able to review it.