September 2025 Album Review Wrap-Up

Hi all and welcome back to another album review wrap-up! It's the penultimate month before a Taylor Swift album releases, which means all other artists have to get their music out now! Here's what I listened to:

Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay

Released: 2024

I keep hearing about this album and I wanted really bad to try and like it, but this is really not my thing. I can't make it past the fourth track. It's very overproduced, overstimulating, and the singers voice is REALLY irritating. Reminds me a lot of Charli XCX's Brat album, which I also hated. Not for me.

Favorites: None

Overall Rating: 1/5 Stars

She Comes From Nowhere by Neggy Gemmy

Released: 2025

I was really drawn in to Neggy Gemmy's work by the album art, the music video for Polly Pocket, as well as her overall retro aesthetic. Unfortunately I was led astray, as I thought this would be a retro 70s-inspired soft rock album, and ended up being more on the modern electronica side of things. I personally preferred the first half of the album over the second half, which got more electronic as it went on.

Favorites: Mysterious Girl, Polly Pocket

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Bird's Eye by Ravyn Lenae

Released: 2025

I used to loveeee Ravyn's Crush EP when it first came out in 2018. I have no idea why I stopped listening beyond that, but I've been so happy watching her get her flowers for Love Me Not. Ravyn has truly crafted a beautiful pop-influenced r&b album, and I had so much fun with this one. Very warm and comfy.

Favorites: Days, Genius, Love Me Not

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun by Aly & AJ

Released: 2021

I'd heard nothing but great things about this album, and for the first four or so tracks it seemed that all I heard was true. However, by the middle of the album my enjoyment began to decrease. It took an indie rock turn towards the end of the album which I did not enjoy as much, until the final three tracks in which I was enjoying myself again. Highs are high with this one though.

Favorites: Slow Dancing, Personal Cathedrals, Break Yourself

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Emotion by Samantha Sang

Released: 1977

Went searching for more of that 70s soul sound that's been sticking with me since Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend and stumbled across this masterpiece. Particularly the title track reminds me so much of my favorite from that album Never Getting Laid. Very smooth, jazzy blend of 70s disco and soul.

Favorites: Emotion, Change of Heart, Charade

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Frenchie by Frenchie

Released: 2025

Another album I found in my search, this album blends modern r&b, soul, and jazz with a europop twist and I really enjoyed it!

Favorites: Can I Lean On You?, Werewolf, Distance

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Tchotchke by Tchotchke

Released: 2021

This one surprised me. A very 60s rock and 70s baroque pop-influenced album, and I loved every second of it. The track "Come On, Sean" was very, very reminiscent of early Kate Bush, which gives this band bonus points in my book.

Favorites: Oh Sweetheart, Dizzy, Come On Sean

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Goldie Montana by Goldie Boutilier

Released: 2025

Goldie Boutilier’s debut is categorized as an alt pop album, but I feel it would fit better with a country pop or rock label. Vocally reminds me a lot of Stevie Nicks, which I can’t tell if it’s intentional or not lol. Overall not a terrible album but the country aspects aren’t really my thing, and I don’t see myself revisiting.

Favorites: Snake Eyes, Who Are You Gonna Worship Now?

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

flora maniia by temachii

Released: 2023

I'm not really a fan of shoegaze, but the viral song "may you never forget me" captured my attention. The songs on this album that could fall into the shoegaze category were not my thing, but I really enjoyed the soft pop songs.

Favorites: leaf, lovin' lowly, moon girl

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Where the Butterflies Go In the Rain by Raveena

Released: 2024

Been hearing about Raveena for a while, especially from fellow Kali Uchis fans, so I thought in the wait for the deluxe of Sincerely I would give Raveena a listen. This album was so gorgeous and had a wonderful soundscape between interconnected tracks. This is definitely an album and artist I will be revisiting soon.

Favorites: Smile For Me, Rise, 16 Candles

THAT'S SHOWBIZ, BABY! by JADE

Released: 2025

JADE’s debut is genuinely one of the best pop albums released this year. I was a bit worried when almost half of the album was pre-released as singles, and even though I don’t think the album tracks as a whole are better than the singles as a whole, almost every track is great and extremely fun!

Angel of My Dreams took a while to grow on me but I love it now, as did Fantasy. I loved It Girl from the get go, and Midnight Cowboy is my favorite on the album from the Ncuti Gatwa feature alone. Unconditional also sounds like a 00’s Kylie song, so I really loved that one as well.

As for the album tracks, Self Saboteur, Headache, and Before You Break My Heart were kinda forgettable pop songs compared to the singles and I’ll probably need some time with them. Natural at Disaster was a pretty ballad, and I can appreciate Glitch as an electro-alt pop song. Silent Disco was probably the best of the non-singles.

The only tracks I didn’t connect with were FUFN, Plastic Box, and Lip Service. Didn’t hate them, but they’re probably the tracks I won’t be revisiting. Overall though, a really phenomenal debut from Jade. I expected no less as a former Mixer, but I’m really happy with this album.

Favorites: Midnight Cowboy, Unconditional, It Girl

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

The Dream by The Favors

Released: 2025

The Fleetwood Mac-inspired duo of Billie Eilish's brother and producer Finneas and singer-songwriter Ashe could not have arrived at a better time. Very fitting for the turn of the season, the album is a clean cut of modernized 70s pop, folk, and rock. Finneas is a legendary producer, and I love his work with Billie, so it's no surprise that I also loved the project he's decided to take on alongside his solo career.

Favorites: Times Square Jesus, Moonshine, The Little Mess You Made

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Best of the Other Sides by Kate Bush

Released: 2025

My dearest darling beloved queen of whimsy and wonder Kate Bush has rereleased her collection of B-sides into a more concise, compact selection. Are these songs I’ve heard before? Yes. Am I just excited to be getting anything from Kate right now? Also yes.

Favorites: The Man I Love, Brazil, Walk Straight Down The Middle

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Vie by Doja Cat

Released: 2025

After "Scarlet" and Doja Cat's claim that she was never going back to pop, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be listening to or enjoying any future projects of hers. But something (👀) changed, and now Doja is back to being a main pop girlie and serving us some nostalgic 80s beats. I really loved this, particularly the production- I definitely hear some of her earlier works in here, specifically Amala and Hot Pink, intermingled with this new 80s sound for her. I've really been into 70s & 80s music and music inspired by those eras, and this certainly fits that niche. Though I will say that Doja's formula of chorus, singing verse, chorus, rap verse, chorus has gotten a bit old. But overall, definitely a good comeback album from Doja Cat.

Favorites: Jealous Type, Gorgeous, All Mine

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Perrie by Perrie

Released: 2025

When Perrie announced that she had essentially scrapped the initial plans she had for her debut album in favor of putting out a "different sound," as well as the exclusion of Tears and Rollercoaster from the track list, I had a feeling that I was not going to enjoy this album. Those two singles were my favorites of the songs she had already released, so I was already pretty disappointed and had low expectations. Upon listening to this album, I feel I was proven right- every song feels like a generic 2010's pop song or a slow, boring ballad (but with really, really great vocals). The only song I considered to be worthy of more than a 3.5 was You Go Your Way, and even then, I prefer the Chill Mix over the album version. Safe to say I'm highly disappointed.

Favorites: You Go Your Way

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

See you next month!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2024 Reading Wrap-Up

Image
Happy end of year everyone! This one has been absolutely crazy for me, dealing with some of the uppiest ups and the downiest downs. I would summarize this year in one word: a rollercoaster. But throughout this year, one thing has been pretty consistent for me, and that would be reading. Through all of the crazy events of my life this year, it was rare when I was without a book (or e-reader) in hand. I actually read so much, that... I read 110 books this year! Go me! I'm very proud of myself for achieving this goal, as I've never read 100 books before, much less 110. My previous record was 79 books in 2021, and my original goal for this year was 80. I credit my ability to read so much more due to two things: one, the Kindle Fire HD 8 I received for Christmas in 2023, and two, my job allowing me ample reading time (while the kiddos sleep, of course). And with so many books comes many feelings, particularly of like and dislike, some of which I felt stronger for than others. Listed...
Read more

The Disappearance of Mekayla Bali

Image
Every person interested in true crime has that one case that sticks with them. The one case that keeps them awake at three in the morning, the one case that boggles the mind. For me, that case is the disappearance of Canadian teen Mekayla Bali. Why? Well, there’s so much coverage of her last movements before her disappearance, and yet no one knows where she is- or if she’s still alive. So, who is Mekayla Bali? Mekayla Margaret Kim Bali (formerly Niebergall) is a Canadian teenager from Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She lived with her mother, Paula, her two siblings, Joshua and Eliyora, and aunt, Rhonda. She had interests such as The Hunger Games and video games like League of Legends. She enjoyed playing the violin and accordion, and nature photography. She wanted to go into a career working with children or animals. She was just a normal teenage girl… However, there may have been something darker going on behind the scenes. Bali had multiple Facebook and Instagram accounts, including an Inst...
Read more

From The Vault: Speculation On the Upcoming Vault Tracks from Reputation (Taylor's Version) and Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version)

Image
With the Tortured Poets Department era seemingly coming to a close soon, considering the speculated upcoming announcement for Reputation (Taylor's Version) , my mind has been on the vault tracks lately. In particular, the countless possibilities for the Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version ) vault tracks. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of interest in the Reputation vault tracks, but we don't have much knowledge on what those might be. Beyond possible re-recorded versions of "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" with ZAYN, Taylor-penned Rihanna hit "This Is What You Came For," as well as scrapped Lover track "Need," we only have one other known song from this time: "Family," a song registered by Taylor in May of 2018 on GEMA and mentioned in an interview with Scott Swift, is the only unreleased song from the Reputation era that the public is aware of. Other than that, we're in the dark as to what Taylor may release from her sixth album...
Read more