Versatone Reviews

🎯 We aimed for the stars… but pulled the trigger instead.

🤖 What if AI explored galaxies instead of targeting lives?

🪐 There’s still time to choose curiosity over conflict.

#AIforGood #NotForWar #FutureTech #IranUnderAttack #MurderNetanyahu #SpaceExploration

When I sit at my desk with headphones on and get really into a song, I start singing along. He would push himself into my arms, trying to comfort me because clearly I'm yowling in distress.

The above picture is one of those instances.

Made it really hard to work, but I loved it every time.

I have some reviews that I need to share here still, but 2025 keeps punching.

I just want to share a farewell for the best cat we could ever have asked for.

His name was Altair. He was 16, and he was my daughter's best friend. Also, he worried about me when I sang.

Glorious.

May 2025 Release Radar Summer is coming

I haven't got a lot of albums I'm looking at in May, but there are some heavy hitters here.

😂🤣

Sasami - "Blood On the Silver Screen" Top-notch Pop from a not-Pop artist

Sasami is not, truly, a #Pop artist, but this is a Pop album.

It's her third album, and she has yet to repeat a genre.

Sasami uses her classical training to study a genre, break it down, and reproduce it. And, in this album, it works so well.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview

Spiritbox - "Tsunami Sea" A highly-anticipated album that doesn't disappoint

One of my most anticipated albums of the year pulled through. It doesn't disappoint.

18 reviews in, and we have our first certified 8+.

#Spiritbox is a definitive act in the modern #MetalSky scene, and this is only their second album.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview #Metalcore

Rebecca Black - "Salvation" I don't know what she's saving us from, but I enjoyed it

This is the best #HyperPop I've ever heard.

Hands down.

#RebeccaBlack is really starting to find herself as an artist and songwriter. All of the songs here work really well, minus "Sugar Water Cyanide".

It just needs to be longer. And have a conceptual throughline.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview

Arion - "The Light That Burns the Sky" Symphonic Power Metal which has misplaced its symphony

Arion is a #SymphonicMetal and #PowerMetal band that had a promising start last decade, but in this album they've kinda buried the lead. Ya know, the 'Symphonic' bit. It's literally buried in the mix.

The songs here are still good for what they are, though.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Lisa - "Alter Ego" The K-Pop Invasion continues

Lisa's debut album is full of potential and production. I don't think it's much of a reach to say that #KPop is overproduced by default these days. There's so much money in that industry.

Some of the album's early songs are BANGERS. It just also dies halfway through.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview

Avantasia - "Here Be Dragons" Dragon on the cover = Power Metal

I've been physically unable to do a few things this month, but I've still gotten a few reviews out, starting with this somewhat disappointing effort from Tobias Sammet's collaborative #PowerMetal project, Avantasia.

It has its moments.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

You got funny friends.

Welp. Account name is accurate.

Who the fuck keeps feeding you?

From the popculture community on Reddit: Drag queens like Plane Jane, Tillie, and other performers have started calling out Chappell Roan, accusing her of exploiting the LGBTQIA+ community for profit ... Explore this post and more from the popculture community

I love Chappell, but this sums up pretty well my thoughts on recent comments she's made.

To be clear: being queen *SHOULD NOT* be political. That's what the fight is all about. Whether we like it or not, though, it is -- because some bigots make it so.

April 2025 Release Radar Hopefully derailing the 2025 Disappointment Train

I hope the April showers are full of good music!

Architects - "The Sky, The Earth & All Between" A review that almost didn't happen

Architects' newest album showcases an update to the band's #Metalcore sound, bringing in more Death-like harshness, and their trimmed lineup. It grew on me through a few listens, but I also still don't enjoy it as much as their last two albums.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Tate McRae - "So Close to What" Tate McRae is one of those ‘next big stars’ you hear about.

Tate McRae's dance pop is incredibly boppy. So boppy that you might find yourself bopping along even if you don't enjoy the song. But "So Close to What" is overproduced and grossly inconsistent.

On the bright side, the best tracks all have a familiar name as co-writer.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview

Lacuna Coil - "Sleepless Empire" Sleepless because the future holds no hope of a good LC album

Lacuna Coil has always been a favorite, but Sleepless Empire feels like a final confirmation that they just aren't the same band anymore. They're still #GothicMetal, but that approach is firmly in the backseat.

It's great if you want something heavy, but that's it.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Marko Hietala - "Roses From the Deep" Marko Hietala is very highly-regarded in the Metal world — arguably in contention for “Legend” status, depending who you talk to.

Marko Hietala's second-ever solo album is one that I picked up out of respect for his legacy. It beat my expectations, though, and is currently one of my favorite listens of the year.

If you like classic #HeavyMetal or #PowerMetal, give this a listen.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Jinjer - "Duel" Slava Ukraini

Ukrainian #Metalcore and #GrooveMetal stars, #Jinjer, are as wildly aggressive as ever in their newest album.

If you're looking for something upbeat and angry, this might do.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Dream Theater - "Parasomnia" Beware the shadow men in the dark

#DreamTheater is a goddamn titan in the world of #ProgMetal. There's no getting around it. And while their formula has grown stale, the return of one of their founding members has brought fresh vivacity to their newest album.

#MusicSky #MetalSky #AlbumReview

Ethel Cain - "Perverts" It's happening to everybody

Ethel Cain's "Perverts" is nothing like her main album trilogy-in-progress. It's a unique sort of beautiful torment. If you like #Slowcore and ambient droning, you might love this, but don't pick it up expecting "American Teenager".

It's a dismal as its cover suggests.

#MusicSky #AlbumReview

This is what makes rap battles so fucking cool.

I had thought he was positioning for a run at President soon. Looks like he's ready to swap parties, though.

Oh THAT'S what that was.

I just broke my desk with my face.

March 2025 Release Radar At least there are no tariffs on music

Can't believe February is over already. Time MARCHes on...

No, wait, don't leave! I cope with reality through bad jokes and good music!

Speaking of music, here are the albums I'm looking forward to this month (plus a special reveal of Versatone's first ever advance copy!).

I felt like I walked into a room as an argument got heated this morning, then watched as you murdered this bastard (in self defense) while slowly backing away.

Like... this ain't my business. Lol

Also, this review came out more stream-of-consciousness than intended. Lol

There are still some good #R&B and #SynthPop moments here though.

I want to underscore that my review is a definite negative outlier. It just didn't work for me on any level.

I wanted to like it and spent way too much time trying.

This will still be one of the biggest albums of the year.