Because shoegaze’s bombast comes entirely from the music alone and not from the public acts of its musicians, its commercial appeal is zilch even back in its first wave during the 1990s.

15 years ago, Ed Sheeran’s ‘The A Team’ portrays the harrowing experience of poverty. We’re never getting anything like it from him again.

Positech’s flagship political simulation series sought to capture the essence of electoral politics. Instead, it oversimplifies the decisions that led to change.

Love is one of the biggest themes in music for its relatability, but its use in practice oversimplifies and reinforces obsession and codependency.

The Tennessean alt-country band’s latest record contains weird productions and rambling lyrics; its direction feels too “modern” for its own good.

Punchier, rawer, thirstier, more political, stickier, cataclysmic, better than its debut from last year in more ways than one.

In a left turn away from conventional electropop through guitar usage, the British diva eschews slick quality in favour of rocking authenticity.

Creativity compliments the fluidity of the mind so when AIs like ChatGPT are asked to generate creative works, it lacks intent and adaptiveness.

The 2020 roleplaying game based on Mike Pondsmith’s tabletop opus is a bit too cynical in its critique of capitalism and technology. To say the least.

The Texan rapper’s latest album sees the flow be in rhythm with both the beats and the queer experiences.

There are diamonds under the rough after all as the saying goes.

The de-facto anthem of England’s football culture rings on 30 years after its release even if it comes off as corny to the sports.

As promised from last month, here are 20 short-form reviews for this month’s Capsule Reviews!

One of the most influential musical collectives over the past 15 years is seeing its legacy bloom through a booming online fandom…

The Californian Americana duo’s latest album defines beauty without any substance to back it; it’s purely an aesthetic masquerade.

Regina Spektor’s ‘Us’ pushes against authoritarianism and the appropriation of the past. Decades later, it stands as an ironic mark against Israel…

With 12 short reviews, this piece covers both the most anticipated releases up to this point alongside overlooked talents.

One of Bethesda’s flagship games isn’t exactly renowned for its writing around being in love; it’s a flaw which shadows its most complex character…

The British Northwesterners' latest album is a tight sludge of psych-punk that is hard to get rid of completely.

Since the First Era, Bard Music has risen to become custom among the proudest examples of Skyrim’s culture in the entirety of Tamriel’s history.

A rising star amongst the American electropop scene, the San Franciscian’s third album might be the evolution of pop music.

The adaptational nature of covering songs lend credence towards three directions in re-recording them under new circumstances or contexts.

Known to their cult following for their more lo-fi production, the Californian band’s newest LP does feel a bit off its tape.

While the four-piece Californian band sails on their commercial apex, it is the shelved cuts by Rivers Cuomo that got longtime fans savouring.

J. McClendon’s non-glass beach project is a restrained gut-punch to the stomach in mental illness and repression.

The Chilean post-punk band’s first album in a decade is an experimental affair with its colourful array being mixed into its rhythm.

Playing with ballad clichés, the Californian concocted one of the wittiest pop tunes of the late 2000s.

Released nearly 25 years ago, avant-garde composer William Basinski’s work, done through withering tapes, stands sharply as an aural time capsule.

Bocchi the Rock, K-On!, and Girls Band Cry are among the most popular shows of their season to the point where their albums sell. How do they click?

Just before a short break, a new post to celebrate 2025 is out with some end-of-year lists!

Just before New Year's Day and the Capping Off entry, the second half of the Capsule Reviews closes nearly all of the albums that are due for a review!

Choi Yeon-soo, once an earnest K-pop aspirant called D:elta, peers through with one of the most stunning art pop works in this decade.

The Christmas classic is not only honest about the holiday season, but it also examines the American Dream as being just a dream.

The first part of this month's Capsule Reviews is filled with comments on a wide variety of albums!

The K-pop artist and ex-Wonder Girls member’s solo debut is proof that not all that glitters is gold.

Every great game gets backed with a soundtrack that fits its environment. The acclaimed isometric RPG has a standout track that defines its theme.

As a prelude to the upcoming month, this edition of Capsule Review looks into rock, pop, and rap!

Short, straightforward, and subtly showy sums the amethyst in the rough that is British singer-songwriter Arthur Elliot’s 7th self-recorded album.

25 years after their big break, Florida-based Dead Prez’s ideological drive cuts through the heart of context-relevant songwriting.

Charles Manson is one of the most notorious figures in pop culture history. His avant-psych style folk debut album is utter feces. This isn’t going to be a long retrospective album review that I would occasionally do with something like the Dismemberment Plan or Okkervil River. This is going to be more of a smaller thinkpiece that’s related to Halloween.

This month's Capsule Review will cover some of the most noteworthy releases that have yet to receive a review.

The acclaimed psychedelic music project of Australia-born Kevin Parker fully embraces his dance and electronica influence - for better or for worse.

Few albums have heralded the fall of mainstream excellence like the country/popstar’s latest disses and wangst.

One of the leading gothic rock bands in the 2000s went back to their old roots; their vision at the very least making up for overproduction.

The stalwart New Yorkers’ fifth album is immediately making headlines, its eclectic indie rock style standing firm in its sharp form.

Like the Big Bang, one of the most unique alternative genres got its start as scattered energies waiting to pop in the right conditions.

Mabe Fratti’s second album in the art pop project with her partner Hector Tosta piques artsy curiosity with restricted expressive virtuosity.

The country’s history with politically conscious music rings strong from the current government protests - one that could echo in Southeast Asia.

The country’s history with politically conscious music rings strong from the current government protests - one that could echo in Southeast Asia.

The country’s history with politically conscious music rings strong from the current government protests - one that could echo in Southeast Asia.