Album review overview: Karol G, Van Morrison and more
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are too many to listen to, 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.
Alcàntara – Tamam Shud
Alcàntara is a progressive/psychedelic rock band from Italy. The Persian album title “Tamam Shud” means: it is finished. The lyrics are sung in both English and Italian. With no fewer than three guitarists, you hear a lot of beautiful guitar work. The bass also comes clearly to the fore at times. The drumming is balanced with the music throughout. Three of the six tracks contain keyboard/organ playing. The violin playing in “Wodwo/Vertigo” (the final track) forms a unity with the whole. There are beautiful, minimalistic and/or psychedelic parts woven into the songs. Occasionally, you hear fingers sliding over guitar strings. In a few tracks, sampled sounds have been added, which are quite soft to the music. The transition from sampling to music doesn’t flow naturally everywhere. Furthermore, the layers and details in the music are beautifully balanced and well distributed across the headphones. Occasionally, the vocals are stacked; this has been done with care. Most changes in tempo and volume progress fairly gradually. “Tamam Shud” is an album with a pleasant, fairly calm flow. (Esther Kessel-Tamerus) (7/10) (Independent Release)
Calum Hood – ORDER chaos ORDER
Calum Hood always lived somewhat in the shadow of his 5 Seconds Of Summer bandmates, but with “ORDER chaos ORDER,” he finally gets the chance to show who he is. And what turns out? That quiet bassist has much more to tell than you’d expect. The album immediately starts honestly with “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” where Hood sings about his darkest moments while cheerful guitars dance around them. It sounds contradictory, but it works perfectly. “Call Me When You Know Better” also plays with those contrasts; video game-like synths under lyrics about a complicated relationship. But Hood truly shines when he takes time for his stories. “Sunsetter” surprises with shoegaze influences you didn’t see coming, while “All My Affection” is so tender you almost forget this is the same man who used to play “She Looks So Perfect” to sold-out stadiums. Through the ten tracks, you discover an artist who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable. “ORDER chaos ORDER” feels like the diary Hood finally dares to share. Sometimes messy, but always sincere and surprisingly mature. A beautiful solo debut. (William Brown) (7/10) (EMI)
Karol G – Tropicoqueta
After her historic Grammy win and number 1 hit on the Billboard 200, Karol G shows with “Tropicoqueta” that she’s more than just reggaeton. This fifth studio album is a love letter to Latin America, with 20 tracks exploring different musical styles. From Colombian vallenato to Dominican merengue and Cuban mambo, Karol G moves effortlessly through all genres. Particularly striking is that 90% of the album was recorded with real instruments, delivering a warm, organic sound. Producer Edgar Barrera and even Pharrell Williams help her make this musical journey. Highlights are “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” a merengue that stayed at number 1 for 30 weeks, and the Pharrell-produced “Ivonny Bonita.” “Verano Rosa,” her collaboration with boyfriend Feid, shows her softer side. With tracks like “Latina Foreva”, she also honours her reggaeton roots. The album might be somewhat long at 58 minutes, and not all 20 tracks are equally strong. But “Tropicoqueta” proves that Karol G has evolved from reggaeton queen to worldwide Latin music ambassador. A successful follow-up that combines cultural authenticity with modern production. (Jan Vranken) (8/10) (Bichota Records)
Van Morrison – Remembering Now
After a couple of cover albums, Van Morrison returns with original material on “Remembering Now,” a record that contains all the familiar Morrison ingredients without surprises. The 78-year-old Irish troubadour does what he does best: blending soul, jazz and folk into his characteristic mystical sound. Opener “Down To Joy,” previously heard in Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” immediately sets the tone with its gospel-like big band arrangement. It’s classic Morrison: spiritual, uplifting and carried by that unmistakable voice. “Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder” shows his playful side, while “Once In A Lifetime Feelings” strikes the romantic chord we know from “Someone Like You.” His regular band since 2019 – Richard Dunn, Stuart McIlroy, Pete Hurley and Colin Griffin – provides the familiar groove, supplemented with strings by Fiachra Trench. Guest contributions from Don Black and Seth Lakeman add colour without disturbing the Morrison aesthetic. “Remembering Now” marks a welcome return to Morrison’s spiritual core after years of political excursions. The album has its weak moments – some tracks feel like filler, and the 63-minute runtime could have been shortened. Yet the highlights prevail, especially in the second half, where Morrison rediscovers his timeless magic. This isn’t a masterpiece, but it is Morrison at his best in years. An album that honours his legacy without being groundbreaking. (Anton Dupont) (7/10) (Exile)
Che Noir – The Color Chocolate 2
With “The Color Chocolate 2,” Che Noir from Buffalo shows why she’s one of the most interesting voices in underground hip-hop. This eight-track EP is a clear improvement over the first part, especially in terms of production and consistency. The album breathes the spirit of nineties East Coast rap, with many boom bap beats that Che Noir has largely produced herself. This shows her versatility as both a rapper and a producer. The collaborations with eLZhi on “Who’s the Greatest?” and Evidence on “Blink Twice” are absolute highlights that give the album extra depth. Lyrically, Che Noir remains true to her powerful stories about life as a young Black woman in America. Themes like Black excellence and authentic street stories get a prominent place, without ever sounding forced. Tracks like “Buy vs. Sell” perfectly showcase her storytelling qualities. “The Color Chocolate 2” is a strong showcase of artistic growth. For lovers of real underground hip-hop, this is a recommendation that shows Che Noir more than deserves her place in the genre. (Elodie Renard) (8/10) (Poetic Movement Inc)
