Album review overview: Smino, Snoop Dogg 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.
Rahel Talts – Back and Forth
Where jazz was once largely underground under Soviet rule, the scene in the Baltic states has now matured. In Estonia, the Jazzkaar festival in Tallinn is the flagship event, running since 1990 and the largest jazz festival in the Baltics. It attracts international artists and thousands of visitors. Rahel Talts is undoubtedly a big name there, but outside Estonia she remains, in our view, an undiscovered gem. With “Back and Forth”, she demonstrates that she is one of the most remarkable young voices in contemporary European jazz. The album also highlights her versatility: emotional on “Pärnu”, rhythmically uplifting with a danceable groove on “Jungle Party”. Talts doesn’t indulge in virtuosic showmanship; her understated compositions rely on atmosphere. It is music from someone whose heart is in Estonia but whose mind explores boundaries, making “Back and Forth” a delightful, sincere and authentic record that is sometimes melancholic, but always intimate and hopeful, and occasionally outright joyful, such as the up-tempo “Time for Fun”. The contribution of guitarist Rob Luft should also be noted: the melodic dialogues between guitar and piano are an essential element of the album. North Sea next year? (Jeroen Mulder) (8/10) (Rainbow Records)
Smino – Maybe in Nirvana
Two years after the excellent “Luv 4 Rent”, Smino returns with an album that disappoints due to a lack of focus and energy. Recorded before his previous album but only released now, “Maybe in Nirvana” feels like a collection of outtakes without the lushness and experimental flair that made him distinctive. The production lingers in flat trap beats with little variation, while Smino’s vocal acrobatics are now more irritating than charming. Tracks such as “dear fren” disappoint with high, unnatural singing, and the lack of strong hooks makes most songs forgettable. Only “maybe in nirvana” and “lee” offer highlights with more interesting beat changes and vocal variation. At just twenty-nine minutes, the album is also short. Smino’s talent is undeniable but underutilised here, which is especially painful given his prior achievements. For those who enjoyed “Luv 4 Rent”, this album mainly serves as a reminder of how good Smino can be when everything aligns. (Elodie Renard) (5/10) (Zero Fatigue)
Lungtoucher – My Consort, Eternal
Lungtoucher consists of a single person, the UK-based black metal maniac Lungtoucher. “My Consort, Eternal” is a 26-minute mini-album containing five raw, atmospheric occult post-black metal tracks. Everything on this mini-album works. The music is hard to categorise. Don’t listen to this while doing the washing up – invest some energy. “My Consort, Eternal” requires multiple listens to catch all the details and nuances. The production is raw and heavy. The lyrics deal with occult themes. Brutal moments alternate with calm, almost peaceful passages, and this sonic contrast is a strength. Lungtoucher uses it cleverly. Recommended tracks include the opener “Baleful Shadows” and the fast “Cursemark”. (Ad Keepers) (7/10) (Phantom Lure)
The Old Dead Tree – London Sessions
The respected French progressive rock-metal band “The Old Dead Tree” had been inactive for a while. Their comeback was in 2023, and last year the CD “Second Thoughts” was released. This spring, they recorded the EP “London Sessions” at Abbey Road Studios. Thanks to Manuel Muñoz’s versatile vocals and the distinctive blend of musical styles, they have a unique sound. The four tracks open surprisingly gently. They are well-constructed, containing plenty of shifts in tempo, volume and style. Changes are sometimes sudden, other times gradual. In both calm and heavier sections, the layers of bass and guitar are well distributed, as are the drums. The stacked vocals are sometimes understated, occasionally lightly echoed, and at other times Manuel’s voice has a raw edge, always in harmony with the music. This is especially evident in the final track, which beautifully fades out on (bass) guitar. Because the metal is not overbearing, “London Sessions” suits a broad audience. (Esther Kessel-Tamerus) (9/10) (Season of Mist)
Snoop Dogg – Missionary
More than thirty years after “Doggystyle”, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre reunite for an album that aims to pay homage while innovating. “Missionary” demonstrates that both veterans can still leave their mark on hip-hop, though the result sounds more like mogul rap than the raw gangsta rap of their early years. Dr. Dre provides solid production with costly samples from Tom Petty and Sting, while Snoop raps surprisingly sharply and occasionally shows emotional depth. Features from Eminem, 50 Cent and Method Man add little, but tracks such as “last dance with mary jane” and “hard knocks” prove the chemistry between the two remains intact. However, the album lacks the urgency and originality that made their classics so memorable. Where “Doggystyle” pushed boundaries, “Missionary” stays safely within familiar patterns. For fans, it is a welcome reunion evoking nostalgia without real surprises; for others, it mainly confirms that both artists have left their peak behind. (Anton Dupont) (7/10) (Death Row Records)
