May 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM

248. Philip Glass - Koyaanisqatsi (1983) [May 19th, 2025]

"Pruitt Igoe" was on the GTA IV soundtrack (which I'm currently replaying) so I decided to put this one on. I started reading Don Delillo's White Noise while listening to this, but I enjoyed it a lot. I haven't watched the film it's named after, but the soundtrack to Koyaanisqatsi is very grand, and honestly pretty overwhelming (in a good way) at some points. Pretty good time, even if "The Grid" goes on for WAYYYY too long

 

May 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM

The record I was referring to was the leaked version of Kanye's CUCK, but considering that it will (sadly) probably end up releasing officially at some point, it wouldn't be a good idea to log in an unofficial release (plus, I'm not giving a record like CUCK the honor of being reviewed twice lmao)

 

May 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM

249. Calle 13 - Calle 13 (2005) [May 20th, 2025]

"Atrevete-te-te" is undeniably a classic track, but this is my first full Calle 13 and fully Reggaeton album (Pretty sure that Motomami doesn't count).

I f---ing LOVED this record. Residente's raps are so playful, and raunchy as h---. The whole record is a perfect example of what I love about 2000's Reggaeton. It was definitely a trip to see Residente diss Diddy 20 years ago on "Pi-Di-Di-Di". Songs like "Cabe-c-o", "Suave" and "La Aguacatona" are so f---ing nasty, that I can't help but love it. I do think the record loses a bit of steam near the end (the beat to "La Madre de los Enanos" is terrible lmao), but still, Calle 13 is a d--- good time.

 

May 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM

250. OutKast - Stankonia (2000) [May 22nd, 2025]

The log slowed down a bit, but we're finally at album 250!!!! Stankonia is a pretty divisive album for a lot of people. Most people (rightfully) agree that it's a great record, but many people debate over where it ranks amongst OutKast's discog. Although I admit that I'm more of an Aquemini guy, I can't deny that Stankonia is a close second.

Although the "Nation of Stankonia" concept really isn't explored too deeply on this record, "Gasoline Dreams" is an incredible opener, and it sets up the album's energy straight off the bat. Andre and Big Boi are at their absolute peak on this record, I swear. Songs like "So Fresh, So Clean" and "Mrs. Jackson" have become classics for a reason, and "B.O.B." is one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever made. Some lesser known cuts that I want to call attention to include "Spaghetti Junction", "Xplosion", "Red Velvet" and "Gangsta s---". I do have to admit that the album loses a bit of steam (at least for me) around track 21, but Stankonia is still an incredible record.

 

May 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM

251. Future - Monster (2014) [May 22nd, 2025]

[For the record, I listened to the original mixtape release that includes 2 interludes and "f--- Up Some Commas" + the classic DJ Esco tags]
Is it safe to say that Monster is one of the most influential rap records of the past 15 years? One of the main things that makes Monster such a great record, is how it establishes Future's work from this point forward. The Future present on records like Pluto and Honest is completely replaced by a nihilistic, drug-fueled monster (GET IT!!!) from this point forward, and its incredible.

The original mixtape release begins with "Intro", a quick collage of newsclips, interviews etc, revolving around Future's rise to prominence and his breakup with Ciara, which is a topic that is present throughout this entire project. Songs like "Radical", "Monster", and "f--- Up Some Commas" are great examples of Future's greatness, and the beats to songs like "Gangland" are f---ing nuts.

There are two songs that I want to focus on, and if you've listened to Monster, you probably know which tracks I'm talking about. The first is the two-parter "Throw Away". The first half of the track shows Future at his most toxic, but he sounds so f---ing cool while saying it. The second half legitimately elevates the track to be one of the most emotional trap songs ever. The total shift in energy makes the whole track hit deeper, and the chorus...my God. The second track is of course, the closer "Codeine Crazy". CC is one of the best rap songs ever, without a doubt. After an entire record showcasing Future becoming increasingly toxic and nihilisitc, "Codeine Crazy" ends the record on an incredibly depressing note. Seriously, the following verse absolutely captivates me every time.

Drownin' in Actavis, suicide
When I hit the scene, it's homicide
Diamond pinky ring a lollipop
f--- the hate, I pull up in a drop
Diamonds colder than a glacier
Ballin' harder than the Pacers
I been tryin' to have some patience
Told my momma she should pray on it
Told the streets they gotta wait on it
She gonna put a n----- name on it
I just dropped a whole thang on it
I'm making USD's overseas
That's U.S. dollars that you can't achieve
f----- my white girl, she said, "n----- please"
f--- that white girl, she said, "n----- please"
Playin' poker now we're back at Strokers
I forgot her name but her p---- soakin'

So yeah, Monster is a great time, and its my personal favorite Future record. DJ ESCO, LET"S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!