When I listen to The Weeknd’s new album, I don’t gather that he is ruminating on Death. I think he’s using the it as a literary device. I mean, what is Death if not transformation. It’s a change from being into not being. Or perhaps from living on this plane of existence to living in an afterlife. Change, symbolized as death, is the dominant theme from this record.

It’s that the time of the year again. It’s the time for End Of Year Lists. Frankly, I’m always a little mixed on these sorts of articles. Sure, they’re a great way to remind readers of noteworthy works that may have gotten lost in the fray. Many times I’ve read a “Best Films of” list and thought, “THAT’S RIGHT! I’VE BEEN MEANING TO WATCH THAT!” So, in that way, they’re nice. But there’s also certain clickbait-ness to them. “See if your favorite biopic made the cut- or the cutting room floor!” Nevertheless, Year End Lists are here to stay, and I’m (sort of) going to participate in the trend.

Injury Reserve’s By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Tirzah’s Colourgrade are both exercises in the unconventional. One sounds like it came out of left field and the other sounds like it came from outside the stadium. Both are unique creations, and their creators are standing on the shoulders of ancestors, parents, and kids that graduated a few years before you.

Kanye's life-defining relationship with his mother has me thinking more about my own life and my understanding of motherhood, both as a son and now as a new parent. Though I will examine the album from a musical standpoint, I also aim to explore my personal connection to Kanye as one of my favorite musical artists.

Tirzah’s Devotion has a strange ability (much like Frank Ocean’s whole discography) to tackle all of the messiness that comes with romance in a groovy but insightful and emotional way.