“HIT IT” by Vianova, reviewed by Brennan Loud
4/5 Falcons
Everyday is a party with Berlin-based Vianova’s debut album “HIT IT.” It has dance grooves, fun samples, ensemble vocals, and lyrics about how we will all eventually be nothing more than “useless bags of meat” as we gruesomely fade into obsolescence. These guys thrive in juxtaposition. The album mixes whimsical samples and classic dance beats with crunchy riffs and banshee-esque metal screams. It’s theatrical by nature, and yet somehow succeeds in avoiding corniness. My highlights of the album would be the final two tracks, “Uh Yaya” and “Obsolete.” “Uh Yaya” features one of my favorite moments in metal this year: its final scream and breakdown. “HIT IT” is unique and a total blast.
“Rocket” by Dominic Fike, reviewed by Elijah Bartholomew
3.95/5 Falcons
I checked the weather forecast today, and it’s official. It’s a “Rocket” summer. It’s also a “Rocket” fall, and you know what? It’s going to be a “Rocket” winter too. Singer, songwriter, musician, and actor Dominic Fike has done it again with another earworm-filled, alternative rock album that takes just the right amount of time to warm up to. “Rocket” is not necessarily innovative; it instead takes an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach that suits Fike’s third studio album. Some notable songs include (but are not limited to): “Sandman,” “Great Pretender,” “Quite the Opposite,” and “Aftermath.” Even though “Rocket” doesn’t showcase major musical growth for Fike, it does expand on what he knows he can do well. It is an exceptionally well-crafted album, yet “Rocket” doesn’t compare to Fike’s summer album masterpiece, 2023’s “Sunburn.”
“Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter, reviewed by Roz Patterson
3/5 Falcons
If you were online this summer, there’s no doubt you’ve heard “Manchild,” the lead single off of Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, “Man’s Best Friend.” Carpenter, working alongside Jack Antonoff, John Ryan, and Amy Allen, dabbles in a buffet of music styles in “Man’s Best Friend.” “Go Go Juice” is drizzled in 90s country, “House Tour” tastes like early Madonna, and the final track “Goodbye” has hints of ABBA’s dance pop sound. Carpenter’s witty innuendos and wordplay separate her from the rest of the modern pop world. Whether you find the lyrics empowering or demeaning, they’re all undeniably catchy. “Man’s Best Friend” isn’t revolutionary or profound; it’s fun. Sometimes that’s all an album needs to be.
“Virgin” by Lorde, reviewed by Zaida Pingitore
4/5 Falcons
Released in June, Lorde’s fourth album, “Virgin,” is reminiscent of the brutal honesty and synth pop sound she is renowned for. Lorde made a name for herself early-on in her career with global hits “Pure Heroine” and “Melodrama.” The first single off “Virgin,” “What Was That,” is clearly an homage to these albums, captivating long-time listeners. The rest of the album is similar in production, yet lyrically takes on a mature, reflective tone. Biting and transparent songs like “Broken Glass” and “If She Could Hear Me Now” are similar to her earlier works, but distinct enough to stand out. Despite not completely living up to Lorde’s legacy, I expect that “Virgin” will garner respect with time.
“Carrie & Lowell (10th Anniversary Edition)” by Sufjan Stevens, reviewed by Felix Shackelford
5/5 Falcons
If you like to spend your summer inside, in bed, and crying, “Carrie & Lowell” will always deliver. Maintaining the intimate, devastating, memoir-style feeling of the original 11 songs, the new demo tracks showcase an even more personal side to “Carrie & Lowell” 2015 releases. Two new additions, “Mystery of Love” and “Wallowa Lake Monster,” both from other projects, beautifully complement the album. The final track, a 14-minute version of the beloved “Fourth of July,” ends the heart-wrenching album perfectly, leaving listeners with tears in their eyes and the ultimate summer line: “we’re all gonna die.”
“Geezer” by Kevin Abstract, reviewed by Walter Hopwood
4/5 Falcons
Kevin Abstract really lives up to his name with “Geezer’s” culmination of different music styles. This 18-track album is riddled with features from every aspect of music, ranging from rap to country music, and get this—they’re all great. Every track is full of Abstract’s unique production and emotion-filled lyrics, displaying a wide range of moods. Some songs worth mentioning are “Maroon,” “Abandon Me,” “I Wasn’t There,” and “Post Break Up Beauty,” to name a few. This album is full of surprises, vibe shifts with smooth transitions, and catchy tunes. Overall, it’s definitely one of this summer’s notable releases.
This article also appears in our September 2025 print edition.
