Reviews / Album

An extremely lively, upbeat mix of indie and pop punk.

Sharing his positive and negative views on the human experience, the title Even The Stars Are A Mess concludes his message: that even the worst experiences are beautiful in their own unique way.

Hearty emo sounds mixed in well with slow, post rock templates.

There’s barely a weak track here and Friedberger’s ability to sound so direct while still trading in intellectual dissections of human relationships is what makes Personal Record such an engaging and relatable album.

The peaks aren’t quite as high as they were on his first record, but the overall result is a mature, sophisticated piece of beat-heavy electronica and one of 2013’s more impressive electro releases.

If you’re hesitant to let Mac Miller into your heart or into your headphones – and, based on previous experience, why wouldn’t you be? – then Watching Movies With The Sound Off offers up a new way for you to experience the world of M and M.

How I Learned… isn’t quite a return to the group’s highest calibre of childish joy, but it’s a damn fun and surprisingly multi-layered return to form following recent missteps.