Albums

The essence of 'Piñata' is found beyond Freddie Gibbs' seemingly endless tales of cocaine-slanging and gangbanging.

There’s omnipresent chaos that ebbs and flows throughout 'My Krazy Life.'

Maxo’s vocals are clear, incisive stabs of reflective clairvoyance.

‘Psychodrama’ is a collected tome, weighty and secure in the hand.

The great misfire of ‘Death Race’ is not that the album is too emotional, but rather that Juice WRLD has no idea how to pace his emotions.

'Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik' is the perfect example of what happens when building community within and alongside the music takes precedence.

On 'When I Get Home,' Solange is saying that blackness is not and should not be for everyone.

The story of “Therapy” is crucial for the listener.

'Rap or Go to the League' is 2 Chainz displaying his greatest gift as a rapper: eclecticism.

'FATHER OF 4' is an album of great intentions but is unable to manifest its ideas into great songs.

Twenty years later, we examine Eminem's tragic fate following the release of his major label debut album, 'The Slim Shady LP.'

The community of forgettable albums adds another member.

Let's celebrate the 30th anniversary of De La Soul classic, '3 Feet High and Rising.'

With ‘Forever & A Few,’ Choker crafts a three-track EP boasting some of his most impactful music to date.

'2009' is an elaborate 10-year challenge in the form of an album.

‘Still Swervin’ may appear to be B-sides, but the album plays like a terror-filled rap clinic.

‘CLEAR’ features Summer Walker trudging through the muck of feeling to get to the alkaline truth of heartbreak and pining.

Boogie's words live in a valley of truth.

Let the church of Nayvadius say amen.

The ultimate problem of ‘We All Shine’ is not that YNW Melly is out of things to say, but rather that he is struggling to say them.

'Outer Peace,' is a fun, brisk project that finds the silver linings threading the analog and digital worlds.

James Blake tells a compelling tale of loneliness and isolation on ‘Assume Form.’

At this point in his career, there are no questions left for Aesop Rock to answer.

Our favorite albums of the year.