From Zero represents a comeback to record for Linkin Park after Chester Bennington's suicide in 2017. The band can now count on singer Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara), who, while not wearing Bennington's boots, fits in perfectly with the band's style thanks to her powerful voice. Three of the first four singles show a real return to their roots. "Heavy is the Crown" was an excellent calling card before "The Emptiness Machine" became one of the biggest rock hits of the year, an instant classic. As for "Two Faced", you can't help feeling that the band are simply copying their style from the past: there's a movement similar to "Figure 09", a riff and breakdown comparable to "One Step Closer", not to mention some scratches you've heard before. The rest of the album is far less exciting. "Over Each Other" is simply boring and doesn't fit in with the album's style, while many of the other tracks are just fillers on an album that's already too short (32 minutes). And although Emily is very solid (and original on 'IGYEIH'), she seems to be trying to imitate Bennington on several occasions, which inevitably brings back the comparison. In conclusion, From Zero leaves us wanting more. It wows us with its first two singles, which add admirably to Linkin Park's repertoire, but disappoints us thereafter, ending with a feeling of frustration. (December 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Heavy is the Crown » - « The Emptiness Machine » - « Over Each Other » - « Two Faced »

With the logical follow-up to Music of the Spheres, released 3 years ago, Coldplay continue their exploration of space. The English band is picking up where they left, and they offer us a positive, luminous album. The piano opening features superb introspection from Chris Martin, which blends perfectly into the very pleasant first single "feelslikeimfallinginlove", the album's lead track. This is followed by "WE PRAY", a mix of dramatic strings and an aggressive hip hop beat with a beautiful unifying energy, a call to action featuring UK rapper Little Simz, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, Argentinian artist Tini, and Palestinian Chilean singer-songwriter Elyanna. Acoustic "JUPITER" proves far less captivating and suggests that the second half of the album will be a mixed bag. The band lose their way with the exploratory epic indicated by the image of a rainbow (but officially entitled "Alien Hits/Alien Radio"), a six-minute journey incorporating shoegaze, new age, acoustic folk, classical piano and a sample of Maya Angelou reminding us to focus on the rainbows of life. It's a shame, because the first few moments of the record led us to believe that Moon Music could perhaps compete with the band's greatest albums. Fortunately, "GOOD FEELiNGS" (featuring singer Ayra Starr, guitarist Nile Rodgers and the Chainsmokers) recalls the instant success of "Adventure of a Lifetime". "AETERNA" has an interesting mix of electronic dance music worthy of a night in the club, but it doesn't quite fit in with the concept and mood of the record. As a companion piece to "Music of the Spheres", Moon Music sometimes feels like a collection of B-sides left over from the last album. This new album offers some good, very satisfying moments, but unfortunately proves to be uneven. And with only 10 tracks, you find yourself cutting out half of it pretty quickly. So, there are very few stand-out moments that will stay with you for long. (November 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « feelslikeimfallinginlove » - « WE PRAY »

Since Witness in 2017, Katy Perry's creative vision seems muddled. Her successes have become increasingly rare with each album, and her glory days are now a thing of the past. Since the confusing political messages and less-than-successful attempts at electronic dance music on Witness, she has struggled to maintain interest within a pop scene in constant flux. She made a good attempt with Smile in 2020, but failed to satisfy those nostalgic for the Teenage Dream era. With her seventh album, 143, her decline is officially confirmed. There is nothing but lifeless tracks, starting with the first quasi-feminist single, "Woman's World", with its generic disco production. The production by Dr. Luke (a controversial choice considering his troubled past with Kesha) makes the tracks bright and radio ready, but he also adds to the general feeling of stagnation. There's no real innovation in the attempt to embrace house sounds on the frenzied beat of "Lifetimes" or the slowness of "I'm His, He's Mine", which features Doechii and takes inspiration from Crystal Waters. "Nirvana" feels like a weaker rewrite of "Dark Horse", and "Wonder", the album's final song produced by Stargate, puts in place many elements of past successes (anthemic choruses, melodic arrangements, positive lyrics) hoping something will stick, but it doesn't. Even the help of some talented guests can't really save the album's many weak moments. Atlanta rapper JID does his best to express himself lucidly on "Artificial", but he has little to do with the song's ill-fitting electro beat and slow, featureless chorus, while 21 Savage's distracted flow on the generic pop of "Gimme Gimme" clearly fails to connect with the song. Katy seems to be behind the times in terms of new musical trends, and her songs are downright boring, making her sound outdated and uninteresting. It definitely lacks the frivolous, fun and undeniably catchy feel that "California Gurls" had to offer. (October 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Woman’s World » - « Lifetimes » - « I’m His, He’s Mine »

After flirting with country music on last year's Austin, Post Malone has gone completely down that road on F-1 Trillion, accompanied by a number of collaborators who are specialists in the genre. And he seems very comfortable in this universe, which has certainly influenced him in the past in his Texan environment. The guest list is breathtaking and helps him capture the spirit of freedom and pure pleasure of contemporary country music. Tim McGraw can be heard opening on the rousing “Wrong Ones”, Chris Stapleton on the excellent “California Sober”, Luke Combs on “Guy for That”, not forgetting Morgan Wallen on the summer hit “I Had Some Help”. Other guests include legends Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr. and Blake Shelton. As well as the moving “Nosedive” with Lainey Wilson, two solo tracks (the touching ode to his daughter, “Yours”, and the sweet romance of “What Don't Belong to Me”) showcase his emotional side, demonstrating just how much he has matured and changed the priorities in his life in recent years. 2024 is a banner year for artists turning to country (Beyoncé, Yung Gravy, Lana Del Rey) and country pop hits (Shaboozey's “A Bar Song [Tipsy]”), and Post Malone fits right in, whether it's calculated or not. Either way, the exercise is a success. It's worth noting that in addition to the 18 tracks on the album, Post Malone have surprised us by including a second disc at the last minute containing nine extra tracks. (September 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « I Had Some Help » - « Pour Me a Drink » - « Guy for That »

Eminem's success was largely due to his alter ego Slim Shady, the exaggerated character to whom he handed the microphone when it was time to unleash his most disturbing lyrics. Slim Shady returns on the concept album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), in which the two sides of the rapper's personality clash. He returns with the same jokes, references and slightly outdated points of view, spending the first half of the album spitting out as many threats as possible, aimed loosely at cancellation culture, Generation Z, pronoun usage and wokeism. Eminem once again gives an excellent demonstration of his multi-layered flow and dexterity. "Habits" has the pop sparkle that brought him from underground to radio, but "Brand New Dance" is rather questionable. Set aside in 2004, the song mocks the quadriplegic actor Christopher Reeve, who died that same year. For the most part, The Death of Slim Shady presents a general concept that is rapidly becoming outdated and is severely lacking in new ideas. Eminem does what he's done before, recycling a classic rock passage (Steve Miller Band’s "Abracadabra") for the chorus of "Houdini", an excellent track that takes us back to his best years. He also switches to a faster-than-average flow at the end of "Lucifer" and ends with an emotional ballad with "Somebody Save Me", featuring Jelly Roll. The concept of the record seems to stop six tracks from the end, becoming completely disjointed thereafter. With 19 tracks and over an hour's worth of music, Eminem stretches the sauce on a subject that's a little too thin. A few good songs are unfortunately drowned out in a rather futile whole. His wry humour fails to sink in, the transphobic and anti-woke lyrics prove rather embarrassing, and Slim Shady's shocking comments are outdated and uninspired. The Death of Slim Shady is in some ways a reflection on Eminem's age, his place in rap culture and his relationship with his own fame and art after so many years. The album started at the top, but there is little material to keep it there for long. (August 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Houdini » - « Tobey (feat. Big Sean & BabyTron) »

After a period of introspection on the double album Mercury (2022), Imagine Dragons have brought back the rhythm on their seventh album. Produced by the band in collaboration with Sweden's Mattman & Robin, Loom is a short album of less than 32 minutes, 10 songs containing everything that has made Imagine Dragons international stars. There are unforgettable melodies and frenzied pop rock rhythms, underpinned by hard-hitting percussion. The group also dabbles in hip hop, especially on the first track, “Wake Up”, which is reminiscent of Eminem. This is followed by the excellent “Nice to Meet You”, a rousing disco pop number, and the eerie dubstep hit “Eyes Closed” (which also concludes with J Balvin). The Latin “Take Me to the Beach” continues the rhythm of the record, which ultimately proves highly effective. It's a shame it's so short; we could have done with a few more tracks. The Las Vegas quartet is back in top form with Loom. (July 2024 Featured Review)

Music Video: « Eyes Closed »

Georgia-born Travis Denning is a country singer-songwriter with an appetite for hard rock and cold beer. He blends southern country folk with powerful electric guitars, while telling stories of wild nights in small towns. Denning scored his first number one hit on the Billboard Country Airplay in 2019 with “After a Few”. He then presented two EPs, Dirt Road Down (2021) and Might as Well Be Me (2022). He finally released his first full-length album with Roads That Go Nowhere. The 15-track record offers a good mix of energetic songs and softer, more emotional tracks. Denning is at his best in the more dynamic moments, notably the excellent “Strawberry Wine and a Cheap Six Pack”, as well as “Southern Rock”, featuring Hardy. The introspective passages are a little long, but the whole is still effective. A good first try for Travis Denning. (July 2024 Featured New Artist)

Music Video: « Southern Rock »

Four years after her last album, Future Nostalgia, expectations were growing for a new record by this new pop star. Especially after such huge hits as "Houdini" and "Training Season". Even "Illusion" is starting to provoke serious reactions. Dua Lipa finally arrives with Radical Optimism, her third career recording. For the occasion, the London singer enlisted the services of Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker (whom she particularly admires on the Currents album). The result is some great moments, particularly with the aforementioned hits. However, many of the songs are merely sympathetic, with an obvious lack of cohesion between them. In fact, this is the main flaw of this album, which is sorely lacking a common thread or a recurring theme. There are a few ear-pleasing songs, but these are the hits mentioned previously, and perhaps "These Walls", which you're likely to hear over and over again. The fact remains that Dua Lipa perfectly represents the new pop generation and will be heard for a long time to come. (June 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Houdini » - « Training Season » - « Illusion »

London singer-songwriter and producer Nia Archives presents her debut album, following the EPs Headz Gone West in 2021, Forbidden Feelingz in 2022, and Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against tha Wall in 2023. On Silence is Loud, she confirms that she has found the perfect balance between soul/pop and electronica. She offers 13 quality compositions, including the excellent "Forbidden Feelingz" (with its heavy bass) and "So Tell Me...", two previously released tracks that stand out as the pièce de résistance of this excellent 35-minute record. The opening title track proves particularly intense and sets the tone for the rest of the album, giving way to the highly effective "Cards on the Table". Nia Archives' blend of electronic music includes jungle and drum n' bass influences, which prove extremely pleasant accompaniments to her neo-soul sound. The album was co-written and co-produced by Ethan P. Flynn, known for his work with FKA Twigs, Jockstrap, Black Country, New Road, and many others. Silence is Loud has the advantage of presenting music that can be played just as well at a rave as on commercial radio. A very good record! (June 2024 Featured New Artist)

Music Videos: « Forbidden Feelingz » - « So Tell Me… » - « Cards on the Table »

Even before its release, this second act in the Renaissance trilogy was anticipated as a country album by this R&B icon. This was enough to make purists of the genre shudder. However, it's not, and it's more a tribute to the pioneers (and especially the female pioneers) of black country music. This nod to country music is mainly represented by contributions from legends such as Willie Nelson, Linda Martell (the first black woman to achieve country success in the 1960s) and Dolly Parton, but the pop, soul, R&B and hip hop styles of the famous singer is still recognizable, as she simply integrates the codes of country music. The hit song "Texas Hold 'Em" is probably the most country of the 27 tracks on the album. Beyoncé offers a mix of hip hop and house on "Sweet Honey Buckiin'", recalling the first act of Renaissance and at the same time thumbing her nose at purists by celebrating the African-American influence in electro. In fact, that's what the artist seems to want to demonstrate here: that country music isn't just white, and that it has been strongly influenced by African-American culture. In addition to the legends named earlier, Beyoncé surrounds herself with talented young artists such as Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Tanner Adell. She presents not only brilliant new compositions fusing genres and history, but also covers of classics: Dolly Parton's "Jolene", The Beatles' "Blackbird", as well as excerpts from Chuck Berry songs. In "Ya Ya", a mix of soul and dance pop, she manages to cover both Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and the Beach Boys. Cowboy Carter isn't a country album, it's a Beyoncé album, plain and simple! (May 2024 Featured Review)

Music Video: « Texas Hold ‘Em »

Before presenting her self-titled debut album in 2024, Fabiana Palladino had been releasing songs at a rather slow pace for over 10 years and was best known for her work accompanying artists such as Jessie Ware, Laura Groves and Jai Paul, who added the singer to his label, Paul Institute. The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer presented a handful of emotive electronic pop singles between 2017 and 2023. The most recent, "I Care", a duet with Jai, also includes her father, legendary bassist Pino Palladino. The album was largely written following a separation, and Fabiana expresses heartache, loneliness, and longing. She calls on many collaborators, including fellow producer Harry Craze, backing vocalist Jamie Woon, string arranger Rob Moose, her mother Maz, her brother Rocco, her sister Giancarla and others. This is a personal album with a unique perspective and a sound environment all her own. She quotes Prince's "Strange Relationship", and "Forever" could be presented as a lost Wendy & Lisa project from the mid-1980s. The album culminates in a stack of strings and Fabiana's vocals, almost surpassed by the seemingly defeatist ballads "I Can't Dream Anymore" and "Give Me a Sign". Two of the best rhythmic songs also flow with ease: "Stay with Me Through the Night", highlighted by excellent drummer Steve Ferrone, and another effective bass line from Pino that gives way to "Shoulda", a regret-filled rock song. Here's a creative, captivating and confident pop and R&B delight from a singer-songwriter with a beautiful style. (May 2024 Featured New Artist)

Music Video: « I Can’t Dream Anymore »

It took Ariana Grande four years to come back with a new album, her seventh. Eternal Sunshine presents the end of one relationship (ended by a divorce) and the beginning of a new one. It's a short 35-minute album, including a one-and-a-half-minute introduction. It includes the disco hit "Yes, and?", as well as the excellent "Bye", "Supernatural", "The Boy is Mine", "We Can't Be Friends" and the title track. On Eternal Sunshine, Ariana delivers top-quality R&B music. The full potential of her voice is once again revealed, even if she doesn't always push it to the limit, focusing instead on the quality of the melodies. On this new recording, the thirty-something succeeds in offering us her most cohesive album to date. (April 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « Yes, and? » - « We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for your Love) »

Tierra Whack wowed in 2018 with Whack World, a debut EP full of ideas and feelings, hard to contain in one-minute songs (there were 15 in total). The Philadelphia rapper went on to release a series of singles that cemented her expertise in short-form releases, while building anticipation for her debut album. Balancing the boldness of Whack World with the more expansive writing of pop, rap and R&B music, World Wide Whack does indeed feel like an official debut album. Like all her music, the record is packed with inventive production and dizzying wordplay. "Ms Behave" has both qualities in abundance, as she quotes Angela Bassett and OutKast over effective electro music and a powerful bass line. Although the album is more polished and straightforward than her previous work, Tierra has not sought to become more accessible at any cost, and she retains all her uniqueness. On "Chanel Pit", she is backed by a xylophone, while on "X", her worst wishes for an old flame are backed by a punk-accented rhythm. Her gift for slice-of-life songwriting still shines through, especially on the bright funk of "Shower Song", a hopeful celebration of the rejuvenating powers of music, and on "Moovies", a light, romantic R&B tune she gives us in her own way. The upbeat songs are also surrounded by darker, melancholy, almost painful pieces, including the moving "Waze" and "Sore Loser". Tierra lays her feelings bare on the bruising "Difficult" and the harrowing closing "27 Club", where she recounts her despair over a melody that flows like tears. With World Wide Whack, Tierra Whack truly establishes herself on the American East Coast rap scene, clearly defining her style and approach. (April 2024 New Artist)

Music Videos: « Chanel Pit » - « Shower Song » - « 27 Club » - « Two Night »

After Symphony #1 in 2019 and Symphonies 3 & 4 in 2023, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin (with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal) returns with Symphonies 2 & 5 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Recorded at the Maison symphonique de Montréal, these are two of Sibelius's best-loved works, composed some fifteen years apart. "Symphony #2" marks the conclusion of his first stylistic phase, characterized by national Romanticism. "Symphony #5" lays the foundations for what was to become the composer's mature language. Once again, a great performance by Nézet-Séguin and the OM, perfectly highlighting Sibelius' work. (April 2024)

With her new album, Jennifer Lopez creates a sort of sequel to This Is Me... Then, released in 2002, which paid tribute to her lover at the time, Ben Affleck, as well as containing the timeless hit "Jenny from the Block". It was certainly her reunion with Affleck in 2021, followed by their wedding in the summer of 2022, that inspired Jennifer to write This Is Me... Now. The nearly 45-minute album is accompanied by a full-length film featuring music videos for each of the 13 songs on the record, from the title track to "Greatest Love Story Never Told", including the hit "Can't Get Enough". There's also a documentary entitled The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which borrows its title from a series of love letters written to Jennifer by Affleck. Unlike the film, which contains several cameos (Jane Fonda, Post Malone, etc.), the album is much more sober, with no guests and entirely focused on the Latin singer. Few tracks stand out, but the whole remains enjoyable right to the end and is sure to please her many fans. (March 2024 Featured Review)

Music Video: « Can’t Get Enough »

Prelude to Ecstasy is the very first album from these provocative Londoners, who dabble in baroque pop and indie rock, with definite influences from Florence + the Machine, Suede, Roxy Music and David Bowie. Their rapid ascent is certainly due in large part to an opening slot with the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park before even releasing a first single. "Nothing Matters" is a perfect festival anthem, and has taken the UK charts by storm. The rest of Prelude to Ecstasy is bold, gothic alternative rock, with memorable melodies, intelligent romantic lyrics and an assertive theatrical edge. This is a very interesting debut album from a band that is likely to stand out in the next few years. (March 2024 Featured New Artist)

Music Video: « Nothing Matters »

After a 35-year career, the Californian trio are still full of energy, and are back with Saviors, four years after Father of All.... The band continues in the same slightly more adult pop punk direction, with a cleaner sound, despite the trio's characteristic aggressiveness. Their melodies remain as effective as ever, and a few quality ballads confirm their versatility. The band doesn't deny its past influences, but Green Day is still able to make their own songs, their own style. Billie Joe Armstrong's pop instincts are undeniable, making Saviors both powerful and unforgettable. Green Day may not offer an album that will make you forget the classics of the past, but enough of the 15 songs will make you want to tap your foot or sing at the top of your lungs. (February 2024 Featured Review)

Music Videos: « The American Dream Is Killing Me » - « Dilemma » - « One Eyed Bastard » - « Bobby Sox »

For Bravura, horn player Louis-Pierre Bergeron and pianist Meagan Milatz draw their inspiration from Beethoven. His "Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major, Op. 17" (1800) is the first true sonata for horn and piano in the history of music and is the central work on this album. This masterpiece is accompanied by pieces for natural horn and fortepiano by Vincenzo Righini (1756-1812), Cipriani Potter (1792-1871), Franz Xaver Süssmayr (1766-1803) and Nikolaus Freiherr Von Krufft (1779-1818). Bergeron is the fourth horn of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, having performed with the OSM, Orchestre Métropolitain and Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières. He also collaborates regularly with Les Violons du Roy. As for Milatz, she is the winner of numerous competitions and appears as soloist with orchestras across Canada, including the McGill Symphony Orchestra. (February 2024 Featured New Artist)