April 2025 Album Review Wrap-Up

Hi all and welcome back to another album review wrap-up! April was a super productive month for me, so grab a snack, sit back, and enjoy!

Tidal by Fiona Apple

Released: 1996

This was my first Fiona Apple, and what a good place to start! I really enjoyed this album, it’s very soothing. Can definitely see myself revisiting quite a few of these tracks.

Favorites: Sleep To Dream, Criminal, Carrion

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

I Love You, Honeybear by Father John Misty

Revisited

Released: 2015

Gave this a relisten before moving onto his next album and I’m still not a fan 😅. I don’t like a lot of the lyrical or instrumental choices made, and quite a few of the lyrics just give me the ick lmao. On the other hand, I still love Fear Fun and have a few of the songs in my daily rotation.

Favorites: Strange Encounter

Least Favorites: Chateau Lobby, True Affection, The Ideal Husband

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Pure Comedy by Father John Misty

Released: 2017

It’s better than Honeybear but not as good as Fear Fun. I don’t get the hype around the title track, I had to skip it a little over halfway through. I can see myself returning to the tracks I listed below though, but probably nothing else.

Favorites: Ballad of the Dying Man, A Bigger Paper Bag, Things It Would’ve Been Helpful To Know Before The Revolution

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Debut by Björk

Released: 1993

Oh wow this was good!! Can’t wait for Debut (Taylor’s Version)! 😁

(I love April fools and this was the only thing I could think of ok lol)

But actually I thought this was okay! Very eccentric and kept me on my toes, reminded me of Kate Bush’s The Dreaming quite a bit. I can see what all the hype is about. Though I will say her vocals on some of these songs are certainly uhh… unique (+ the reason for my lowered rating lol).

Favorites: Human Behavior, The Anchor Song, Crying

Least Favorites: One Day

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Untourable Album by Men I Trust

Released: 2021

I'm not gonna lie, I can tell why the album is untourable.

Favorites: Sugar, Tree Among Shrubs, Shoulders

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

The Crux by DJO

Released: 2025

I’m a fan of Djo’s psychedelic-rock debut album Twenty Twenty, but not so much his more electronic-leaning follow up DECIDE. I was worried that, with the success of End of Beginning, he would follow that with a similar style. This was kind of in between those two albums, similar to both in its own way, but definitely leaned into that rock style you can hear on his big hit. I definitely liked the more “chill” tracks over the heavier, more upbeat or rock tracks. Overall, I didn’t find this as impactful and probably won’t be returning to any of the tracks.

Favorites: Egg, Potion, Fly

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

This Is How Tomorrow Moves by beabadoobee

Released: 2024

Decided it was finally time to listen to this one after I heard Real Man when I went to pick up some stuff from Bath & Body Works earlier today. I’m not the biggest fan of Bea musically, but the songs I do like from her, I really, really like. However, I still feel like I have yet to be “swept away” by any of her projects as a whole.

Favorites: Take A Bite, One Time, Real Man

Least Favorites: Girl Song, Ever Seen, The Man Who Left Too Soon

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Frank by Amy Winehouse

Released: 2003

A lot of my favorite artists have credited Amy Winehouse as being their favorite artist, so this has been long overdue. And I can definitely see the inspiration that originates from Amy’s music. Every song is good, but this doesn’t have as many standouts as I know her next album will have (as I have already listened to the more popular songs from that album).

Favorites: In My Bed, There Is No Greater Love, I Heard Love Is Blind

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Post by Björk

Released: 1995

[Fair warning: this review is probably going to disappoint and/or piss some people off.]

I started with Debut, but I was told that Post is THE Björk album. The production on this album is amazing, very similar to Kate Bush’s experimentalism (and Kate has become one of my favorite artists of all-time as of late). However, I’m still not a fan of her vocals (I actually have the same problems with her voice that I did with early Taylor Swift, I refused to listen to OG self-titled and Fearless— especially Change— because of how bad her vocals were). I know a lot of people like how jittery, warbly and raw her voice is, but it’s very much not for me. That’s why I probably won’t be continuing with Björk’s discography for a while. May come back if I ever get the urge to, but definitely won’t be for some time.

And now I’m sad because I really wanted to understand the hype and love this album. :(

Favorites: Possibly Maybe, Army of Me, Cover Me / Headphones

Least Favorites: Modern Things, You’ve Been Flirting Again

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Nightcrawler by Scarlett

Released: 2021

Found this recommended for fans of The Marias and decided to check it out. A decent extended play, but probably won't revisit this artist again.

Favorites: Run & Hide, Lost

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Station To Station by David Bowie

Released: 1976

Four great songs sandwiched by two brilliant ones. Can’t complain.

Favorites: Wild Is The Wind, Station to Station, Golden Years

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

When The Pawn... by Fiona Apple

Released: 1999

Very good follow up to Tidal. I love the changes and improvements to the production; everything sounds a little less concise. Fiona is two for two when it comes to openers though, she really knows how to start off an album.

Favorites: On The Bound, To My Love, A Mistake

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac

Released: 1979

Unpopular opinion, but Tusk provides some of Stevie's best songs. My favorite Fleetwood Mac song is Sisters of the Moon, it's so witchy and mystical.

Favorites: Sisters of the Moon, Angel, Beautiful Child

Rating: 4/5 Stars

The Man Who Sold The World by David Bowie

Released: 1970

I can definitely see why people say this has heavy metal influences. Definitely one of my favorites thus far. Will need to revisit ASAP!

Favorites: After All, Saviour Machine, She Shook Me Cold

Mirage by Fleetwood Mac

Released: 1982

Suprise, another unpopular opinion! While I love Gypsy, Stevie's best on the album is Straight Back. It's brilliant and reminiscent of her earlier days in Mac.

Favorites: Straight Back, Gypsy, That’s Alright

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Sunday (1994) by Sunday (1994)

Released: 2024

I’m conflicted with this one. On one hand, the songs I enjoyed were good. The lead singer’s vocals reminded me of early Brie Larson in a way. However, this album felt a bit like the tip of the iceberg to something great that almost but never goes below the water’s surface. The lyricism has some good parts, but there are also lines that make me pause or take me out of the music. Softly, my least favorite track, sounds like a Disney-era Hillary Duff reject. There is definitely potential here, but it will be a long way to get there.

Favorites: Our Troubles, Blonde

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

The Red Shoes by Kate Bush

Released: 1993

Of all the works I’ve heard from Kate Bush thus far, this is what I believe to be her safest work yet. It’s not bad, there are some great songs, but the album as a whole leans more towards the generic pop and rock of the decade over the artsy pop and rock I’ve come to expect from her. Not my favorite album.

Favorites: Lily, The Song of Solomon, Rubberband Girl

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

The Hunting Party by Linkin Park

Revisited

Released: 2014

Rediscovered one of my favorite early teenhood albums today. Saw it in my previously listened to and decided to go on a nostalgia trip.

Favorites: All For Nothing, Until It’s Gone, Keys to the Kingdom

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Countdown To Extinction by Megadeth

Released: 1992

My favorite Megadeth album thus far in their discography. I really liked the change from thrash. I loved Symphony of Destruction so much that I had to stop halfway through and listen to it over and over again until I could move on. Great album!

Favorites: Symphony of Destruction, Foreclosure of a Dream, This Was My Life

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Verspertine by Björk

Released: 2001

I know I said I wouldn’t listen to another Björk album for a while, but a long story short: an irl friend verbally slapped me in the face and told me to give Björk one more chance with this album, Vespertine. And God, am I glad that I listened.

Vespertine is what I wanted from Björk in Debut and Post: beautiful vocals and beautiful production. However, this allowed me to spend some more time with those two albums which caused them to grow on me quite a bit. TLDR: I am a bit of a Björk fan now(…?)

Favorites: Frosti / Aurora, Hidden Place, Sun In My Mouth

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Negative Spaces by Poppy

Released: 2024

Finally gave this one a listen. I liked it about the same as Zig, but I wish Poppy would explore more outside of her nu metal and electronica-pop styles.

Favorites: have you had enough?, new way out, push go

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Work and Non-Work by Broadcast

Released: 1997

I don’t remember how I found out about Broadcast, but they’ve been on my To Listen for a while. I loved this album, from the entrancing, synthy instrumentals to the haunting but light vocals that pair so perfectly. I really, really loved this album.

Favorites: Accidentals, Message From Home, The Book Lovers

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Tango In the Night by Fleetwood Mac

Released: 1987

It's not my least favorite, but this is the Fleetwood Mac album that stands out the least to me.

Favorites: Seven Wonders, Welcome To The Room, When I See You Again

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

Strange Highways by Dio

Released: 2007

All I know to say right now is that Dio knows how to choose a title track. Damn.

Favorites: Strange Highways, Give Her The Gun, Blood From A Stone

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Behind the Mask by Fleetwood Mac

Released: 1990

Fleetwood Mac going country is actually crazy. And I'm not a fan of Lindsey Buckingham as a person, but having to hire two guitarists just to replace his skill is also crazy.

Favorites: Love Is Dangerous, Freedom, Affairs of the Heart

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Welcome Home by Hannah Cohen

Released: 2019

Of the two Hannah Cohen album's I've heard, I think I prefer Earthstar Mountain (which is a good thing, it means growth in my opinion). However, this album is good on its own anyways. I guess I can consider myself a Hannah Cohen fan now.

Favorites: This Is Your Life, Get In Line, Dissolving

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

MY WOMAN by Angel Olsen

Released: 2016

My first time listening to Angel Olsen and WOW I love her voice. This style of music is not really my thing though. :/

Favorites: Not Gonna Kill You, Sister

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Brave New World by Iron Maiden

Released: 2000

Maiden's best since Powerslave. I loved almost every track; it was hard to select a top three.

Favorites: Dream of Mirrors, The Nomad, Ghost of the Navigator

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Motörhead by Motörhead

Released: 1977

What the hell. Sure.

Favorites: Keep Us On the Road, Iron Horse, Lost Johnny

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Aerial by Kate Bush

Released: 2005

Ok. I had to relisten to the album before I could write this because this album is just so unique in the Kate Bush Cinematic Universe (though you could say that about every one of her albums tbh). This album took me by surprise by how lofi and bright it was. I mean this in the nicest way possible because I know some of you will take it the wrong way, but this album is Kate Bush’s Solar Power (and Solar Power is my favorite Lorde album). It’s very light and vibrant and unexpected. I loved it more than The Red Shoes, and I think it stands well on its own, but compared to Kate’s other works this will probably be towards the bottom of my ranking.

Favorites: How To Be Invisible, King of the Mountain, Pi

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Low by David Bowie

Released: 1977

I’m not the biggest fan of instrumentals, so this album isn’t really my thing. I did enjoy the songs Bowie did vocals on though.

Favorites: Sound and Vision

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

Dreamboat Annie by Heart

Released: 1975

More albums like this please and thanks.

In all seriousness, this album feels like the culmination of the music taste I’ve developed over the past year or so. My limited research on this album only told me that Heart was similar to Fleetwood Mac but with some heavier influences. I do prefer Heart over Fleetwood Mac in that they have one set lead singer (I only really prefer Stevie’s songs from FM). I also pick up some early Kate Bush in songs like Soul of the Sea and How Deep It Goes, both reminded me of Kate’s Symphony In Blue in one way or another. I also loved the heavier rock songs a lot. This album was just really up my alley.

Favorites: How Deep It Goes, Soul of the Sea, Dreamboat Annie

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Aaand we're finally done! See you next month!