Raven's Reviews: Biggest and Best in Music

by Seraphina Dickinson Heeroo

1. “The Life of A Showgirl” - Taylor Swift

Whether you love her or hate her, Taylor Swift is one of the most influential voices in the music industry. Her new album was a quieter release compared to her previous ones, but it was still groundbreaking, becoming the most pre-saved album in Spotify history within days of its announcement. The start of a new era for Swift, the album combines elements of synth pop, soft rock, and her trademark powerful, yet subtle lyricism. Swift managed to stay true to that style of writing while adding an element of erotica and provocative remarks, drawing inspiration from her recent engagement to Travis Kelce and exposing fans to a more intimate side of their relationship, which has been received in various ways. Still, the album is ultimately on its way to providing New Heights of success to Taylor Swift.

2. “Vie” - Doja Cat

Doja Cat, as an artist, is a significant member of the rise of women in rap and hip-hop music, and this new record only amplifies her impact on the space. This album sets itself apart from her past albums by incorporating dance-pop and retro-pop elements into her signature R&B sound, blending electronic beats with genius raps that flow seamlessly. Doja Cat’s ability to stay true to the essence of rap while branching out into different genres, as well as her incredible vocal skills, just go to show what a powerful force she is in the music industry.

3. “I’m Only F**king Myself” - Lola Young

Lola Young’s latest album and her formal goodbye to the music industry showed us the dimension that her talent really contains. Listeners found themselves rocking out to certain hardcore, intense songs like “F**K EVERYONE” or “CAN WE IGNORE IT? :(,” dancing to some more energetic pop songs like “Walk All Over You” and “d£aler,” and quietly contemplating Young’s passionate and illustrative lyrics such as “who f**king cares?”. The depth and variation in style this record featured made this the perfect gift Young could give to her fans before stepping back from music, as it displays how much pressure she is feeling in her life in a sense that feels poetic and personal all at once.

4. “Play” - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is branching out in this new album, drawing from new genres like dance pop and mellow pop to turn his folk-roots sound into something entirely new but still deeply moving through his lyrics and personal touches in each song. Songs like “Sapphire” and “Azizam” showed how Sheeran has made the choice to draw inspiration from the current UK pop scene to keep this album current, while some contemporary, more dulcet songs like “Old Phone” and “The Vow” show the romanticism in his music we know and love. This album is Sheeran’s way of finding his new voice without letting go of what makes his music so special; the profoundly imaginative and Parnassian lyrics.

5. “I Barely Know Her” - sombr

sombr (Shane Boose) hit the ground running when he released “undressed” in March, a soft, alternative rock, romantic hit single that took the charts by storm. His new album featured similar hits such as “back to friends” and “12 to 12.” The album embodied the essence of indie-pop, featuring themes of romance and heartbreak alike, and, of course, Boose’s gritty and ambiguous lyrics, as well as vocals that gently carried us through each song.

6. “No Hard Feelings” - The Beaches

The Beaches took the bubblegrunge space by storm with their first album, “Blame My Ex,” and this sophomore project is reaching even higher heights of success. Bubblegrunge is trademarked by hard rock instrumentals accompanied by lighter vocals and occasional bursts of pop-inspired music. The Beaches represent this niche genre, in my opinion, as perfectly as one could. Not only are they bringing a niche genre into mainstream music, they are also representing queer women everywhere with pride anthems like “Jocelyn” and “Lesbian Of The Year.” Their music is adding a level of diversity to the world that has rarely been achieved before, as their platform continues to grow.

7. “Don’t Tap The Glass” - Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator’s music has always had this remarkable ability to transport the listener back to an era where rap and hip-hop dominated the music world. He’s considered a purist in how he chooses to create art: his sound is traditional, his lyrics are rapped at the speed of light, and the topics about which he writes rarely stray from those that define rap music. His sound and his image represent what American hip-hop stands for as a whole, with rapid, reverberating beats and sharp lyrics that make his music so beloved by rap fans around the world.

8. “Man’s Best Friend” - Sabrina Carpenter

There’s no denying that Sabrina Carpenter has taken the pop world by storm since opening for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour, garnering a cult following and dominating the pink pilates princess genre. The bubblegum pop recent release, “Man’s Best Friend,” is everything parents wish their kids weren’t listening to; Carpenter’s lyrics are raunchy and absolutely savage, with every degrading comment about her ex-boyfriends and erotic remark about her private life that can’t be classified as ‘safe for work.’ While her lyrics may be coarse and unrestrained, they’re also unforgettable, confident, and rhapsodic. Her songwriting, accompanied by her vocal acrobatics and bubbly, animated instrumentals, makes for an outstanding project.

9. MY MONTHLY PICK: “The Hard Way” - Cameron Whitcomb

Cameron Whitcomb’s music is inspired by his country roots, having grown up in rural Ontario, but with modern twists of pop and rock that make his sound unique. His songs are strongly lyric-driven with gripping storytelling skills, detailing his struggles with addiction and mental illness, complemented by his raw vocals. This modern country record keeps the listener hooked with strong riffs and intensely captivating lyrics from start to finish.

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