Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Originally, a landmark album in underground rap and a standout collaboration has since become a cornerstone of the genre. The album's chaotic, sample-driven production and intricate, stream-of-consciousness rhymes create a unique album that has grown in accolades as the years have gone on. The beats, blend jazz, experimental hip-hop and underground sensibilities, making tracks like 'Sickfit' and 'Do Not Fire!' stand out. DOOM's lyricism shines through, with brilliant flows and rhymes that elevate tracks like 'Money Folder' and 'Figaro' into hip-hop classics. The album's vibe is defiantly playful, with weed references and quirky samples, but it's the chemistry between Madlib's unconventional beats and DOOM's meticulous wordplay that sets this album apart. Despite leaks and delays, this record remains one of the genre's most influential works, showcasing both artists at their peak.

Review: Roc Marciano's latest release, Marciology, marks a bold evolution in his career, pushing the boundaries of his already legendary wordplay and production skills. Since his 2018 masterpiece KAOS with DJ Muggs, Marciano has steadily explored new creative directions, and Marciology sees him refining that approach. While albums like Marcielago and Mt. Marci showed flashes of brilliance, Marciology feels like the natural next step for an artist deeply in tune with his own craft. What sets Marciology apart is Marciano's emphasis on lyrical precision. He has always been a poet in hip-hop, but here, his verses feel like they've reached a new level of intricacy. Almost entirely self-produced, with a bit of help from The Alchemist and Animoss, the beats reflect Marciano's distinctive style, serving as the perfect canvas for his lyrical explorations. The tracks aren't just songs; they're layered poems, rich in imagery and wordplay. Tracks like 'Marciology', 'Goyard God', and 'Gold Crossbow' shine with their raw energy and tight rhymes. On 'Gold Crossbow', Marciano drops one of the album's most memorable lines: "ain't gon' even hold you / There's no room on the scrotum, you gotta keep it mobile." It's these kinds of quotable moments that remind listeners of Marciano's unmatched lyrical prowess. While some might find the album's second half slower, this pacing allows the listener to fully absorb the depth of Marciano's wordplay. Every line is carefully crafted, offering new layers of meaning on each listen. It's not just about hooks or catchy choruses; Marciology is a deeper journey into Roc Marciano's mind, a celebration of his unique ability to blend street narratives with poetic flair. This album cements Marciano's status as a hip-hop innovator, one who continues to inspire and influence the genre. Marciology may not be a straightforward collection of bangers, but it's an album that rewards repeated listening and showcases an artist still pushing his craft forward.

Review: Method Man's debut studio album dropped back in November 1994 on the cult Def Jam Recordings. It marked his first solo effort following Wu-Tang Clan's iconic Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut. The record introduced Method Man's gritty style and lyrical prowess to a wider audience. and Tical (The Bonus Joints) now comes on limited gatefold silver vinyl and complements the original release featuring B-sides and rare tracks from the deluxe edition's second disc. It's a deeper insight into his early artistry for fans old and new and underscores Method Man's influential role in shaping the Wu-Tang legacy and solidifying his own status as a standout solo artist.

Review: With a superhero like Spiderman being recognised the world over by those who've legitimately never even held a comic book, it makes sense that any film adaption should rely on the current sounds of the modern era to deliver an entertaining and reliably engaging soundtrack. Where 2002's game-changing Sam Raimi adaptation boasted a retrospectively cheesy bevvy of nu-metal adjacent radio rock with the film's lead single even being penned by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, the music selection on this latest experimental animated series of films; Across The Spider Verse, turns to the current realms of radio dominating pop-rap. Overseen by acclaimed trap producer Metro Boomin and enlisting a who's who of modern artists such as Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, Nas and A$AP Rocky to name just a small handful, the collection serves equally as an of the time and on the pulse soundtrack, but also as a banging collaborative compilation of some of the best hip-hop acts in the scene today.

Review: This second posthumous album from the late Mac Miller dropped in 2018 after being recorded but never released back in 2014. In some ways, it joins the dots between his early career style - an earnest rapper with plenty of attitude - and the more thoughtful songwriter he became in later life. There is still plenty of sadness and melancholy hidden between the beats and amongst the lines of these tunes which are built on keys, drums and bass with only the subtlest of production tweaks. 'Do You Have A Destination?' is a richly layered sound with fragment vocals, 'Stoned' is woozy and deep with gorgeous guitar licks, 'Funny Papers' showcases Mac's unique vocal stylings over more trad beats and 'Manakins' is another smudged late night sound with a heartfelt undertone.

Review: Swimming by the late Mac Miller, released in 2018, stands as a poignant testament to the rapper's artistic evolution and introspective depth. The album is a sonic exploration of self-discovery and resilience, addressing themes of mental health and personal growth. Miller's introspective lyricism, coupled with lush production and jazzy instrumentation, creates a soulful and immersive soundscape with tracks like 'Self Care' and 'Ladders' showing his lyrical vulnerability and musical versatility. Swimming not only received critical acclaim but also serves as a bittersweet reflection on Miller's artistic prowess and leaving an indelible mark on fans in the process.

Review: To celebrate 30 years since their band first formed in 1991, Japan's pioneering Mondo Grosso has assembled a greatest hits collection that comes across two compilations, each on four sides of vinyl. Included are many of the biggest moments as well as new remixes and new mixes of key tunes, with a fresh remaster by the bands main man Shinichi Osawa himself. He was responsible for deciding which of the band's many tracks made the cut too so you can be sure it is as authentic as they come.