Montréal-based electronic artist and producer Marie Davidson knows how to get my attention. “City of Clowns,” her sixth studio album released Feb. 28, 2025, on DEEWEE Records, struck me with its distinctive album cover shot […]
Category: Music Reviews
Album and song reviews
Sunny War Shines Through the Apocalypse on ‘Armageddon in a Summer Dress’
It always helps to find the good in a bad situation, which is exactly what Sunny War does on her latest album, “Armageddon in a Summer Dress.” Released Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, the fifth album […]
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Raises a Ruckus on “Honeysuckle”
What’s old is new again as The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band breathes life into revivalist blues on “Honeysuckle.” Released Friday, Feb. 21, via Family Owned Records, the trio’s 11th album polishes their stripped-down sound […]
The War and Treaty Deliver a Love and Harmony on ‘Plus One’
Love is in the air when Michael and Tanya Trotter are singing through my speakers. It’s sweet and fitting to see the husband-and-wife duo, better known as The War and Treaty, release their fourth album, […]
Hip-hop’s Dream Team: The Alchemist, Larry June and 2 Chainz Shine on ‘Life is Beautiful’
I’ve always appreciated hip-hop as a team sport. From my early days as a Beastie Boys and Run-DMC fan—and even before that, when Kris Kross had me jumping—I loved the camaraderie of MCs trading verses […]
Bonnie “Prince” Billy Digs Country Roots on ‘The Purple Bird’
As a folk music enthusiast, Bonnie “Prince” Billy has been like a ghost haunting me for the past two decades. Will Oldham, who has performed as Bonnie “Prince” Billy and various forms of Palace — […]
Mac Miller’s Posthumous ‘Balloonerism’ Offers Raw Glimpse Into Artist’s Mind
I find it just a little ironic that Mac Miller‘s posthumous release “Balloonerism” would be released just days before Donald Trump, the subject of a 2011 song by the artist, would be inaugurated as president […]
Early James Serves Up Authentic Americana with ‘Medium Raw’
With the prevalence of artificial intelligence and technology in our everyday lives, artists are looking back to when things were done analogously. It doesn’t get more analog than “Medium Raw,” the third album by Early […]
Timothée Chalamet Electrifies as Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown’
“He who’s not busy livin’ is busy dyin’.” — Bob Dylan, “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” Director James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” which debuted in theaters on Christmas Day 2024, attempts to chronicle Bob […]
My 16 Favorite Albums Of 2024
As the year comes to a close, it’s time for the annual tradition at The High Note: reflecting on the standout albums that have defined 2024. This year has gifted us with a rich tapestry […]