Lav's Music Corner

Review by Lavender: Model/Actriz are a New York industrial outfit whose combination of intimate whispered vocals and pulsating metallic sound has garnered more than a few comparisons to Nine Inch Nails. Back in 2022, they released one of the best debut albums of this entire decade with Dogsbody , immediately capitalizing on all the hype they built up. Now, 3 years later, they've returned with a sophomore effort on the back of some truly spectacular singles. On Pirouette , they build on all of their momentum to soar even higher than before with a record whose vulnerability only heightens the tension of its propulsive, masterful instrumentation.  Speaking of those singles which I liked initially, but became even more fond of within the context of the record. "Cinderella" kicked things off as a lead single and introduced a newfound vulnerability to the band's already existent candor. They pay it off in such dramatic fashion with eerie guitar tones and intimate whispers o...

Welcome to the songs list. More than any other list I publish this is the one that is most purely about what the best work is. Many artists appear on here multiple times and none of the placements have anything to do with anyone else's reception but mine. These are MY favorite songs of the year, though please take the chance to share yours wherever you can. Enjoy <3 100. Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily - Shadow Forces Thank god for the positive critical buzz surrounding Arooj Aftab's last solo album because without it I would have never heard this strange and surprisingly dark chamber jazz album. That also means I wouldn't have heard its defining moment Shadow Forces  which uses its expansive and in the second half even oppressive composition to really surround you on all sides with its eerie mysticism.  Key Lyric: "Oh God, I love my heart, oh God, I love my heart, no one can cure my heart, oh God!" (translated) 99. Jane Remover - Backseat Girl Jane Re...