Brady Lasher ‘26
COLUMNIST
Geordie Greep - The New Sound
On his solo debut, Greep surpasses any and all expectations with a bold, genre-defying masterpiece that fuses experimental rock with jazzy intricacies and vivid, almost theatrical lyricism. By completely pushing the boundaries of modern rock music, the 25-year-old Greep showcases talent beyond his years. Each track’s larger-than-life composition and raw vocal delivery allow each to stand alone as the most forward-thinking and magical songs of the year, and the overall experience is not one to miss.
2. JPEGMAFIA - I LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR YOU
A measly 17 months following his collaboration album with Danny Brown, SCARING THE H**S, JPEGMAFIA returns with a complete switch up on his sounds. Melding punk vocal tendencies with loud, heavy guitar riffs, Peggy does the rap-metal combination in a way no one has previously. No matter the instrumental, Peggy flows on each track brilliantly and brings constant energy, leading to one of the most exhilarating albums of the year and his discography.
3. Quadeca - SCRAPYARD
The raw, glitchy production of SCRAPYARD is well-littered throughout the tracklist, yet Quad keeps each new track fresh and exciting. In spite of the tracklist being a collage of left over tracks from his last album cycle, the tracks all fit together seamlessly creating an engaging and complete album experience. Whether going for indie pop, experimental rap, or folk, the execution is natural and effortless, and the intimate, personal writing is the cherry on top for this mixtape.
4. Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
The way Magdelana Bay balances both avant-garde and commercial pop elements deserves immense praise. The experience is otherworldly and is a brilliant display of how well executed synth-pop can be a breath of fresh air in the plain and boring landscape of modern pop.
Mica’s vocals blend seamlessly with Matt’s production in a way that doesn’t fail to lighten the mood. All the intricacies within the instrumentation leave this album as the most impressive pop release in years.
5. Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Six months after the inescapable feud with Drake, Kendrick returned with a surprise full length release, and the tracks are simply undeniable. The soundscape, which comprises all extremes of West Coast from the 80s to modern day, feels both classic and forward thinking with its subtle use of soul samples and experimental ambition. Moreover, Lamar's unparalleled writing ability makes this album the most culturally important release of the year.
Other great albums from this year include:
6. ScHoolboy Q - BLUE LIPS
7. Yeat - 2093
8. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
9. Denzel Curry - KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH
10. Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
11. MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks
12. Mk.gee - Two Star & The Dream Police
13. Yeat - LYFESTYLE
14. Clairo - Charm
15. Freddie Gibbs - You Only Die 1nce
