𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚒𝚖𝚙 𝚊 𝚋𝚞𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚕𝚢.

Building crescendos of a repeated statement over dreamy synths start off this album, starting with music that influenced the culture of the Negro experience.In 2015, Kendrick Lamar decided to take on the black experience that has been affecting people of colour for centuries. He talks of racial segregation (Institutionalized, Hood Politics), class segregation (Wesley’s Theory, How Much a Dollar Cost) and how this all relates to the personal paradigm of self that Kendrick experiences and discovers about himself.Emotions and catharsis for Kendrick’s emotional realization can be heard throughout this album with jazz samples, scat melodies and underground poetry. Using juxtaposition and oxymoronic techniques in his lyricism, the drone and soulfulness of the instrumental can add to the political statement the album represents as a whole.The music then becomes more complex than the thoughts Kendrick is trying to convey.To Pimp a Butterfly is a timeless, fascinating and powerful political statement as well as one of the sharpest left turns in history.Kendrick raises the question of diaspora of being the American Negro. Gunnar Myrdal spoke about the racial beliefs in America, “The ordinary white man cannot be expected to be aware of such…influences as the denial of certain outlets for ambitions, social disparagement, and cultural isolation…the early conditioning of the Negro child’s mind…(Myrdal, 2009)”.Kendrick uses this album to explain this quote throughout this album. He explains that white people do not understand the black experience and make us hate ourselves. The way the world is built up for black people means we are not allowed to access certain opportunities that white people would easily attain.It then puts black people into the stigma that are given by white people have labeled for us and we end up falling into a life of crime to survive.

ₚₒₛₜ ₕᵤₘₐₙ: ₛᵤᵣᵥᵢᵥₐₗ ₕₒᵣᵣₒᵣ

During the pandemic, Bring Me The Horizon front man, Oli Sykes, found himself bored and stuck at home, and discovered the world of video games in the post-apocalyptic sense. Drawing inspiration from DOOM composer, Mike Gordon (who also helped in the development of this EP) - his influence gave the project the vibe of a big-budget video game soundtrack.This opened him up to new sounds and experiments that they had started to use on their last project, amo, which received mixed reviews from ‘too pop’ to a ‘wonderful fusion of pop and metal’. That’s still up for debate. Post Human is the inevitable ending that we don’t want. It is gritty and gory in lyrical content, but the album raises questions about real issues that normal people who didn’t play DayZ had around the time of the pandemic.“Dear Diary” starts off the EP as a heavier record, heavier than most things Bring Me had put out on previous projects. It sounds like the production of Count Your Blessings (Bring Me’s first album), which is heavy with commanding riffs and hard hitting lyrics. This song is a reflection of the grievances of the pandemic. Lyrically, Oli sets a state of panic from the onset about the pandemic feeling like the end of the world to him. As we go through the project, you realize how animated the production sounds in terms of glitches and peaks in the layering.On “Parasite Eve” and “Ludens”, it takes up a lot of ideas that were played around with on amo and making them heavier, so they send the message of confusion. On “Teardrops” there are clear Linkin Park references within the production, with nu-metal additions that elevate it further. Bring Me had a few but important features in this EP. They bridged the gap between metal and women, in both the UK but beyond that with BABYMETAL on “Kingslayer”. This song is the most important and monumental fusion in metal. Oli’s vocals and the production around him allow for him to sound distorted and extremely heavier on this song while BABYMETAL compliment, but also soften the heavier aspects of the song. It combines Suicide Season-core with BABYMETAL’s kawai-core, which allows the production to give way to the glitches and almost drum-and-bass drum patterns.With YUNGBLOOD’s vocals on “Obey”, sounding like it was used as a weapon against Oli’s growls, which is then used to challenge the ideas of power in society. “One Day The Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As You March Towards Your Death”, comes at the end as a tragic pause. It is a ballad that is sung with Amy Lee, the lead singer of Evanescence. It sounds like a tragic funeral march to future that would have been clear at the end right? Wrong. Remember, this was written during the pandemic. The future at that time was very unclear.Now, three years later, can you say the future is still unclear even after the pandemic?

ʇɥǝ ᘔ0/ᘔ0 ǝxdǝɹıǝuɔǝ

Released in 2013, "The 20/20 Experience" is a remarkable album that showcases Justin Timberlake's artistic evolution and his ability to seamlessly blend genres. This album marked Timberlake's return to the music scene after a hiatus, and it undoubtedly left a significant impact on both his career and the pop music landscape.The album kicks off with the sultry and captivating track "Pusher Love Girl," immediately setting the tone for what's to come. Timberlake's smooth vocals effortlessly glide over the lush production, which incorporates elements of R&B, soul, and funk. The song's intricate instrumentation and dynamic shifts serve as a perfect introduction to the album's sonic diversity.One of the standout tracks, "Suit & Tie" featuring Jay-Z, became an instant hit upon release. This song flawlessly blends modern R&B with a classic soulful vibe. Timberlake's falsetto vocals shine through, and the addition of Jay-Z's rap verse adds an extra layer of sophistication to the track. The song's catchy hook and infectious energy make it an unforgettable anthem.As the album unfolds, tracks like "Don't Hold the Wall" and "Strawberry Bubblegum" continue to showcase Timberlake's knack for creating immersive musical experiences. The fusion of electronic beats with soulful melodies creates a unique and captivating soundscape that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.At the heart of "The 20/20 Experience" are the longer, more experimental tracks that truly set this album apart. "Mirrors," a heartfelt and introspective ballad, stands as a testament to Timberlake's songwriting prowess. Clocking in at over eight minutes, the song takes listeners on a journey through various musical phases, building and evolving as it progresses. The emotional depth of "Mirrors" resonates deeply, and Timberlake's delivery is nothing short of captivating.The album's second part opens with "Gimme What I Don't Know (I Want)," which infuses tribal rhythms and world music influences into the mix. Timberlake's willingness to explore unconventional sounds is evident here, and the result is a mesmerising track that showcases his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.Closing with the ethereal "Blue Ocean Floor," Timberlake leaves listeners with a sense of wonder and contemplation. The dreamy production and introspective lyrics provide a fitting conclusion to a remarkable musical journey.In "The 20/20 Experience," Justin Timberlake not only delivers a collection of well-crafted songs but also demonstrates his ability to experiment with sounds and styles, resulting in an album that defies easy categorisation. The production is lush and intricate, with each track meticulously arranged to create a cohesive listening experience. Timberlake's vocal range and versatility shine throughout the album, allowing him to effortlessly switch between genres and moods.While some critics argued that the album's longer tracks could be seen as indulgent, many fans and reviewers appreciated the immersive experience that these extended compositions offered. Timberlake's decision to embrace longer song structures showcased his commitment to crafting music that's meant to be experienced as a whole, rather than just individual tracks."The 20/20 Experience" undoubtedly solidified Justin Timberlake's status as a pop icon and showcased his growth as an artist. The album's fusion of R&B, soul, funk, and electronic elements creates a rich tapestry of sound that remains engaging with each listen. In an era where singles often overshadow full-length albums, Timberlake's dedication to creating a cohesive and immersive musical journey is commendable.In conclusion, "The 20/20 Experience" is a testament to Justin Timberlake's musical artistry, creativity, and willingness to push boundaries. With its genre-blurring compositions, impeccable production, and Timberlake's charismatic vocals, the album stands as a memorable and influential entry in pop music history.