No Frills Reviews

The National – Laugh Track

The National release their second album of the year, and I could probably just do a retread of my review of the first one. It runs into the same issues; too long, bit same-y, a forgettable Phoebe Bridgers feature, and largely missing those big cathartic explosions that they do did so well. It’s not in the same league as their best work.

But, it’s still The National. And they’re still the kings of gloom-rock/music for sad dads. It may not have completely won me over, but they don’t really do actual bad albums. There’s moments here which remind you how good they can be and Matt Berninger’s lyrics can still catch you off guard and suddenly hit you multiple listens down the line.

Best Tunes: Weird Goodbyes, Hornets, Tour Manager, Smoke Detector

Nikki Nair & Hudson Mohawke – Set The Roof

A relative veteran, and a relative newcomer collide on this genre-bending EP. Hip-hop, drum & bass, and pretty much every electro genre under the sun are mashed together here. It’s sounds messy, glitchy, at times euphoric; but most importantly it sounds BIG. Half of an hour of wall-to-wall wonky bangers.

Best Tunes: Set The Roof, Long Ago, Generator

NEMS – RISE OF THE SILVERBACK

Looking for some conscious rap? Well, this isn’t it. This is the opposite, you could probably describe it as toxic rap. However, if you’d like to be insulted, have your kids insulted, wanna hear how NEMS will fuck you up, or fuck your girl; then maybe this is the album for you. Other than a brief glimpse into his childhood (KEEP ON) and a bleak look at addiction (GORILLA ON YOUR BACK), there’s not much in the way of introspection here, instead it’s an onslaught of pure bravado. The juxtaposition of going from his most vulnerable on KEEP ON to his most venomous on HOLD THAT is almost comical.

This should feel dated in 2023, but it actually kind of works. NEMS may not offer up much insight, but he injects plenty of personality into every line and creates hooks through sheer force. The brags and insults can border on the juvenile, but again they mostly work through the outlandish-ness and sense of tongue being planted firmly in cheek. He’s assisted by some well placed features, including a standout cameo from Ghostface. It all feels very New York, but the production from Scram Jones still manages to offer a sense of variation as the beats morph from hardcore boom-bap into more trap-influenced territory as the album progresses.

Even if your instincts may be telling you otherwise, you can’t help but be forcibly dragged along for a good time with this one.

Best Tunes: DEMON, DON’T EVER DISRESPECT ME, NO FACE