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, […]
Category: Music Reviews
Album and song reviews
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 […]
Soccer Mommy’s ‘Evergreen’ Is A Timeless Journey
“Evergreen” is a fitting title for Soccer Mommy‘s fourth studio album. Singer-songwriter Sophie Allison’s timeless sound powers the latest Soccer Mommy project, which was released on Oct. 25, 2024, by Loma Vista Recordings. The acoustic […]
Joy Oladokun Tells Her Honest Stories Through ‘Observations From A Crowded Room’
The beauty and honesty on Joy Oladokun’s latest album, “Observations From A Crowded Room,” are captivating. Solely written and produced by the 32-year-old from Casa Grande, Arizona, her fifth album mixes her signature singer-songwriter style […]
MJ Lenderman Lights Up the Sky with ‘Manning Fireworks’
MJ Lenderman comes on slowly. It’s partly the drawl he developed from living for 25 years in Ashville, North Carolina, and his laid-back music style. The singer-songwriter’s fourth solo album, Manning Fireworks, is emblematic of […]