So my favorite album last year was Halsey's Maniac. I really dig almost all the songs on that long album. Great lyrics, great vocals, great production. I'm also an old school NIN fan and don't think Trent Reznor's done anything great since The Social Network soundtrack though I watched/heard Soul yet, so when I heard Reznor & Ross were producing Halsey's new album was pretty interested.
Came out Friday and after a few listens, I like it. It's a pretty neat mix of stuff that sounds like a halfway between both their material. At times the instrumental bits are VERY NIN, especially Ghosts era, almost to the point where everything Reznor does these days sounds like just re-using old material. Need to give it more listens, and I don't think it'll be as good as Maniac overall, but pretty happy with this new album since most new albums by bands you like end up being disappointing (see the latest The Killers, Lorde, Car Seat Headrest albums for example).
The production is really good. This is the best thing Trent Reznor has done in ages. I wish he could do a new NIN album with this quality.
Also on Friday the new Chvrches album came out. I think their first two albums are great, third album is solid though it took some time to grow on me, Death Stranding song is ok. After a few listens to the new album it seems pretty weak & disappointing. I don't think there's a single great track on the album. A couple of good ones sure, I like Final Girl though maybe just because it's a horror song, Good Girls is ok, How Not to Drown might grow on me over time. I think Violent Delights is terrible and annoying. Maybe it'll grow on me, but I think this just goes on that pile of bands you like putting out new disappointing records. Again why I'm initially pretty happy with the Halsey album since it's not that.
