No Pretense - Music Reviews

 Harry Mcilroy Taylor Swift - Folklore 7/10 Genre - Chamber Pop, Folktronica, Indie Folk Taylor Swift is- look, is it really necessary for me to tell you who Taylor Swift is? She became world-famous at the age of 17, somehow selling over 200 million albums in a time when they are barely a respected art form. Trying to place her in a historical and genre context is quite an interesting task, as I have quite literally grown up with Taylor Swift in the background. For as long as I've been conscious, some Swift songs have been on the billboard charts. Even typing her name out sounds more like referencing a brand than a human being. That being said, Taylor has always been kind of an anomaly in the mainstream pop game. She’s always had a slight air of authenticity, yet doesn’t really elicit many strong opinions. She’s no Madonna or Britney Spears, where theatrics are key, or on the other side of the spectrum she doesn't exactly fit into the Fiona Apples or Kate Bushs, where poetic ly...

Her's - Invitation to Her's Harry Mcilroy 9/10 Genre - Jangle Pop,  Alternative Rock,  Future Funk Her's were an English indie rock band from Liverpool, England, composed of Stephen Fitzpatrick on vocals and guitar, and Audun Laading on bass guitar and backing vocals. Now, that “were” is something I didn't pay much attention to when I was first recommended this band. I brushed over it, thinking they probably broke up, and went on with my listen to Her’s debut album, 2019s An Introduction to Her’s for the first time.  On my very first listen, I knew that I had found something special. On my initial listens to an album I try not to analyze or look into it too hard, aiming to mainly feel what tone the album is going for, and if they hit that tone. And even initially, I found this record to pop really hard. I was looking forward to diving into it further, and to hear what else this band had to offer. But then, tragedy struck me on my little walk through the Pulford countrys...