Republic 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Only a year after concluding his ambitious 'Man On The Moon' trilogy, Kid Cudi is already reissuing the third and final instalment in the saga, 'The Chosen', in 2xLP format. Demonstrating the artist's bold sidestep into cloud rap (as opposed to stark classics like 'Day N Nite'), this album contains slow-chugging dreamers like 'Mr. Solo Dolo III' and playful gut-bouncers a-la 'Tequila Shots', spanning collabs with Trippie Redd, Skepta, Pop Smoke and folk pop sensation Phoebe Bridgers. For those invested in Kudi's artistic progression, this is a concept album finding the rapper in an internal struggle against his evil alter-ego, Mr. Rager - whether Cudi prevails is up to the listener's interpretation.

Review: More than a decade on from the release of her second album, Nicki Minaj enjoys a stratospheric reputation as one of the queens of contemporary American pop. It is in part thanks to this album, too, as it moved her away from there sounds of her debut into something more overtly fun. The first half is all hip-hop, the seance a mix of dance-pop, all of it with a variety of collaborators taking production credits. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and went on to be certified double platinum with singles like 'Starships' defining its sound.

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: Drake's For All The Dogs album from late last year is a heartfelt tribute to loyalty, perseverance, and the bonds shared between companions. With his signature introspection and smooth delivery, the divisive Canadian rapper navigates themes of loyalty, resilience and personal growth on an album that now arrives on vinyl for the first time. The record's poignant lyrics and emotive production create a poignant reflection on life's challenges and the importance of staying true to oneself all with plenty of his usual studio trickery and signature low ends.