Album review overview: Gabi Hartmann, Stray Kids and more
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are way too many to listen to them all, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why today we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.
Alexis French – Classical Soul, Vol. 1
Neoclassical with soul as a hidden ingredient requires a musical alchemist. This collection of 18 compositions reveals a pianist whose technical refinement and emotional depth form a rare symbiosis. French’s touch is a study in controlled expression – restrained where necessary, but always with an undercurrent of tension that allows the music to breathe. This tension, especially in the silences and pauses, creates spaces in which the listener can get lost in contemplation. The production deserves special attention – crystal clear and spatial, with each note falling like a droplet in a pond of silence. One hears not only the piano but also the room in which it comes to life. Although “Classical Soul” is situated in neoclassical territory, an unmistakable soul pulses through these compositions. French, with his background in both classical conservatories and church improvisation, weaves cultural threads into a tapestry of sound that feels both familiar and innovative. For lovers of emotionally charged piano music that unites technical brilliance with soulful expression, this album is a revelation – a sonic bridge between worlds that are rarely connected so convincingly. (Jan Vranken) (8/10) (Sony Classical)
Gabi Hartmann – La Femme Aux Yeux De Sel
Gabi Hartmann cannot be confined to a single musical category. On her second album “La Femme Aux Yeux De Sel,” she effortlessly blends pop, folk, jazz, and soul into a personal sound that is immediately recognizable. The album opens with a poetic story about Salinda, a woman with eyes of salt who melts with every tear. This character reflects Hartmann’s search for identity and her view of the world around her. Her 2023 debut was already a great success in France, where it became the best-selling record in the Jazz/World category with more than twenty million streams. With this new work, she builds on that foundation while also exploring new territories. Hartmann collaborates with well-known names such as Oan Kim, Jesse Harris, and Syrian musician Naïssam Jalal. A highlight is the song “Mélancolie,” with beautiful string arrangements by Brazilian composer Maycon Ananias. Her soft, melancholic voice tells stories in different languages, capturing both joy and sadness, fear and beauty in her music. A versatile album that shows a new side of Hartmann. Well worth it. (Elodie Renard) (8/10) (Sony Music)
Stray Kids – Mixtape Dominate
Following their successful album “Hop,” Stray Kids now presents “Mixtape Dominate,” a short but powerful EP of five tracks. This South Korean boy band, known for their mix of solid electronic beats and rap technique, delivers an interlude that has a surprisingly significant impact. The production is impressively polished – each track sounds big and full of energy. “Burnin’ Tyres” stands out as the highlight, where the group blends rock elements with upbeat dance. The result is both catchy and refreshing within the K-pop landscape. Stray Kids distinguishes itself from other Korean boy bands through their rougher edges and less polished approach. The eight members (including Korean-Australians Bang Chan and Felix) bring influences from Drake and Big Bang together into their recognizable sound. This EP may be short, but it shows that Stray Kids isn’t standing still and continues experimenting with their sound. For fans, it’s a tasty snack while waiting for their next full-length album. (Felix Young) (7/10) (JYP Entertainment)
Spiritworld – Helldorado
With “Helldorado,” Spiritworld drags you into a dark Western world where the burning desert sun shows no mercy. This third album from the rhinestone-adorned metal outfit from Las Vegas is a relentless ride through an apocalyptic America – rough music, where Slayer-like riffs merge with the unyielding energy of hardcore punk. From the honky-tonk opening sounds of “Abilene Grime” to the demonic intensity of “No Vacancy In Heaven,” frontman Stu Folsom and his Stetson-clad metal companions stomp your skull in with tomahawk riffs that are both brutal and surprisingly melodious. The band doesn’t take itself too seriously – their rhinestone-decorated outfits hilariously contrast with their neck-breaking brutality – but the musical execution is deadly precise. “Oblivion,” featuring guest contributions from Black Braid and Rise Against members, is a highlight that makes your brain boil like an egg on the hot desert sand. This energetic cocktail of metalcore, outlaw country, and spaghetti western influences provides a unique listening experience that burns through your throat like flaming whiskey. Prepare yourself for a hellish ride through the Wild West that even the devil would fear – “Helldorado” is a bloodthirsty, Mojave-born metal triumph. Delicious! (Jan Vranken) (8/10) (Century Media Records)
Ghost Mountain – October Country
The abandoned forests on the edge of the trap scene have a resident again. Ghost Mountain returns from his self-imposed exile with “October Country” and drags us into a world where dark beats and misty synths reign supreme. That sombre undertone drips like morning mist from every track. “Kismet” and “By The Flame” are rare bright spots, where his ethereal voice hovers like an apparition above the production. Here you hear the best of what he and his old companion Sematary have to offer – a chemistry that can be felt in every crackling beat. The reunion with the Haunted Mound collective gives the album an emotional charge that simmers beneath the surface. It’s not easy listening; the constant darkness requires a specific mood that not everyone will be able (or willing) to summon. With a sound somewhere between haunted house beats and seasoned emo-rap, “October Country” deserves a solid 7/10. An album for the nighttime hours, when you’re willing to surrender to Ghost Mountain’s shadowy universe. The only question remains: are you always in the mood for that? (Elodie Renard) (7/10) (Haunted Moud)
