Mary's Blood have a new album
Confessions. It's a let down compared to the group's past work. It sounds a little dull and many of the songs are pretty boring for Power Metal. There is an edge on albums like Fate that is not present here. "Hello" is a different track for the album, kind of a bass pumping keyboardy dance Rock song. I feel this album is overall uninspired and doesn't compare the rawness and energy of their previous releases. That said it sort of kicks the life on near the end with "HIGH-5" which is a very enjoyable and fun tune. "GO AHEAD & LAUGH" is good also with a cool verse. Them it goes right back where it was with the following two songs. Not much here, overall a forgettable release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhyVdCnGxpQ Andrew Bird's
My Finest Work Yet is a pretty solid album. Some really good songs like "Fallorun", "Manifest" and "Cracking Codes" which is a simple but beautiful love song with a big pick-up in the second verse that makes the song sail. It's a pretty solid late career album.
Post Malone's
Hollywood's Bleeding was pretty safe and listenable Trap Pop whatever album. I enjoyed it but certainly didn't find it memorable, that said it had some fine songs like "Circles" and "Myself".
Tyler, The Creator's
IGOR is pretty interesting. I don't think it's anything I intend on listening to again but the songs follow pretty unusual structures and it has it's moments.
EARFQUAKE is pretty much irresistable and I liked
A BOY IS A GUN*,
PUPPET and
WHAT'S GOOD.
the peggies new single "Stand By Me" and "Dive To Love" is damn good. Both great songs from a group who really stood out this year. Love the guitars in "Stand By Me" and the melody. "Dive To Love" is a really nice song also. the peggies absolutely crept up on me with
Hell Like Heaven, which given how enduring the songs have been for me, might well be by top album of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrmhmP42zcU&list=OLAK5uy_lmstCFQfn-WPynCpvfMZ-hthANLNPpNj8December will have two massive for myself releases with BAND-MAID's
CONQUEROR and Maison Book Girl's
Umitouchunokodomotachi. BAND-MAID have been spotty recently. I liked "Start Over" but it won't be on the album and while "Glory" was good "Bubble" and especially "endless story" fell short for me. So I feel their best work is behind them. I mean you don't beat an album as intensely good as WORLD DOMINATION. "anemone" will forever be their greatest song.
Maison Book Girl on the other hand have had two absolutely fantastic singles this year so I have pretty solid expectations for their album given how remarkable their output is in general and how much I like "Kujira Koujou", "Yami Shoku no Asa" and "Silhouette". Their previous album "Yume" was also top notch. I suppose Seiko Oomori won't be continuing her yearly streak, likely for the better. However I do like "JUSTadICE" and "Re:Re:Love" a lot. That said her idol group ZOC's second single "Dansyari Kareshi" I'm not so into.