WILLOW - empathogen ALBUM REVIEW

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Listen: • WILLOW - symptom of life
WILLOW's strongest effort yet.
More rock reviews: • Rock Reviews
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FAV TRACKS: SYMPTOM OF LIFE, THE FEAR IS NOT REAL, FALSE SELF, PAIN FOR FUN, RUN!, BIG FEELINGS
LEAST FAV TRACK: DOWN
WILLOW - EMPATHOGEN / 2024 / THREE SIX ZERO / ART ROCK, MATH POP, SINGER-SONGWRITER
7/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

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Опубликовано:

8 май 2024

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Комментарии : 547

@Onyxiate 24 дня назад

When the worst thing about an album is that you want more of it, that’s a compliment.

@danyreese2052 24 дня назад

I wanted more, too. It felt unfinished.

@chiarosuburekeni9325 23 дня назад

She’s pretty good lol and I hate to say that hahaha

@johnnyterra1309 23 дня назад

@@danyreese2052 idk. i thought it felt very jazz and therefore it needed to be short or brief in someway....cuz most of mainstream people and young people cant really deal with anything thats too long....you know.

@DLA. 23 дня назад

@@chiarosuburekeni9325why do you hate to say that?

@chiarosuburekeni9325 23 дня назад

@@DLA. because of her parents lol. She had every cheat code in life to be good musically but hey, like I said, it worked out 🤷🏽‍♂️ She’s a solid artist

@-aza 24 дня назад

He’s going through BEEF withdrawals.

@firstlast9846 24 дня назад

Me bro.. that shit was only A WEEK ago when Euphoria dropped and I’m already feeling nostalgic for that period. People are talking about a “Round 3” and IDK… feels like we’re in a Cold War rn.. Drake’s ego might not let himself go out like that.

@forwardgrappling 24 дня назад

you gonna get hired by drake with bars like that

@phothewin6019 24 дня назад

Me too. I miss ny ex 😩

@mallsorts9775 24 дня назад

beefdrawals

@GizzyDillespee 24 дня назад

Melon needs a beef injection

@Toyall1 24 дня назад

So the biggest problem with the album is that some songs have such good ideas that get cut off too soon. Thats actually a pretty glowing recommendation

@JoshLeitzel 24 дня назад

I think out of all the Smiths, WILLOW has without a doubt the most musical talent and I imagine most would agree with me on that. Even though I can’t say I’ve outright loved any particular album of hers previously, I always appreciated the range of styles she tackles, often with gusto, and the fact that she hasn’t painted herself into a shallow corner like Jaden. I find her vocals to be absolutely heavenly, such soul and range. It’s been enough to keep coming back and I agree with a strong 7 for this one, definitely her strongest effort so far. Don’t sleep on it!

@TheClevelandSteamer 24 дня назад

I don’t know, I think Johnny Marr might be the most musically talented when it comes to the Smiths.

@georgeandfriendsadventures5073 24 дня назад

Nah, Jada definitely has the most musical talent

@GizzyDillespee 24 дня назад

Willow's Tiny Desk concert last week had some great musicianship, and she brought a great band for that venue.

@TheClevelandSteamer 24 дня назад

@@georgeandfriendsadventures5073 maybe at one point in time Jada had the most musical talent inside of her, back when she was dating Tupac…

@neko.violet. 24 дня назад

She didn't date Tupac and your joke is dumb

@sofra2169 24 дня назад

If this album was just a single song, this would’ve been a track review.

@robf1557 24 дня назад

Hey man lets not be TOO controversial

@angel_of_rust 24 дня назад

this would have been a YUNOReview-type album tbh

@last7116 24 дня назад

Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?

@mikelpelaez 24 дня назад

What an spicy take

@Chilmerican 24 дня назад

@@angel_of_rust He should’ve reviewed Yuno Miles BBL Drizzy Freestyle instead.

@NikkuManAMVs 24 дня назад

Willow’s new sound and style has me so excited for her future. This album gives me Solange, Esperanza Spalding, etc. Her vocals on a more experimental jazz sound is so perfect. Within the next ten years I think she’ll give us a classic.

@NRobbi42 24 дня назад

Easy to forget how young she still is. "Whip My Hair" came out when she was 9.

@Mark.mp3 24 дня назад

HEAVY Esperanza vibes

@rousselinallonce3822 23 дня назад

Seriously, HEAVY Esperanza Spalding vibes. She took a lot of inspiration. Amazing project imo

@lookinthemirrorugly8874 22 дня назад

Chloe and Halle would’ve been apart of that wave but they chose mediocrity and went their separate ways

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

I thought it was Esperanza Spaulding 🙌🏾 I hope they collaborate

@hugobecooking 24 дня назад

Fantano validating my love for Whip My Hair was not on my bingo list

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

Whip My Hair still goes 🔥

@jimjimjimmy7793 16 дней назад

It’s a bop although I was a kid back then so of course it was

@hugobecooking 16 дней назад

@@jimjimjimmy7793 just ran it back for the first time in years. i still know 90% of the words looooool

@jimjimjimmy7793 11 дней назад

@@hugobecooking like you just want to get up and dance

@Alfie02 24 дня назад

Symptom of life is one of my favourite tracks of the year!

@Ladybug2461 19 дней назад

Yes!! Lovely!!

@jszn1 19 дней назад

Absolutely

@TaddyDoMau 18 дней назад

in my top 5 of 2024 by far tbh

@valentinasanchez5757 18 дней назад

Yes that bass is amazing

@timofy2641 4 дня назад

Symptom of life sounds straight up sounds like TOOL with a bit of a twist

@KolkhozWoman 24 дня назад

Home, Symptom of Life, False Self, Run and Big Feelings made this album. I agree that a couple songs feel like unfinished fillers, but she killed it with the main bangers. The vision is clearly there, it left me wanting so much more of Willow.

@skinvald 23 дня назад

💯

@user-fu6ti2vp2f 23 дня назад

Ever think that maybe it is intentional in that tho they may be hard to ignore feelings...they don't last long 🤔🤔...😂😅

@payt00n 16 дней назад

Put respect on The fear is not real that song slaps

@BigBandelero 22 дня назад

I’ve never listened to music from Willow Smith. Heard a piece of that hair song she did years ago, and that was it. Watched this review a day ago. Just listened to the album, more out of curiosity… and wow, totally dug it. Willow is a massive talent, definitely going in her own direction sonically, and yes, I actually did want to hair her explore some of these ideas a lot more. It’s a damn good album.

@bmhwdy 24 дня назад

I’ve always thought that Willow was a great artist, but people wrote her off for being a nepo baby. I understand the criticism some of her music gets but I personally think her discography is strong, and this is just another project in a string of good ones.

@Viper-dz2kw 24 дня назад

Agree, and even if she is she’s been using it to bring attention to more interesting styles that wouldn’t otherwise get mainstream attention. I think it’s also notable that for a nepo baby, she’s really not that bad, she’s not even signed to a major label yet

@Lance37a 22 дня назад

Unlike some nepotism babies, Willow has worked very hard on her craft, releasing several albums and not relying on the family name.

@mikebaldino333 21 день назад

Her tiny desk concert was incredible (especially Mohini Dey on bass).- I haven't spent enough time with the record but was blown away on first listen and think it will be a mile-marker in a great career if she keeps doing what she's doing.

@incocnicto День назад

Big agree on tiny desk. So good

@xJJSxTheOG 24 дня назад

The man is unwell from the empathogen but still gave the album a 7

@blueshirt725 24 дня назад

You must be new here ? 😂😆😁

@LuuhCASSHH 23 дня назад

Melon got sick from all the rap beef

@vlad5042 19 дней назад

isnt that a very good rating for him?

@joshviggiani9844 13 дней назад

@vlad5042 Yes I do believe so. He is allegedly the internets busiest music nerd after all. If you listen to that much music it's just science, man.

@ilovecody7514 24 дня назад

Big Feelings is such a phenomenal song.

@ancestralabundance 24 дня назад

Exactly

@NikkuManAMVs 24 дня назад

One of the best of the year. It’s epic, emotional, and messy in the best way.

@soocccermommy1326 23 дня назад

Yeah, this cover of “Fast As You Can” is amazing

@BrandynMakes 21 день назад

And my goodness the tiny desk session

@GrandPrizeFitnesAJAY 21 день назад

Soo good!

@sappyjoy6190 24 дня назад

Willow has slowly but surely crept her way up into my favorites list, transparent soul really made me fall in love with her officially, and her 2019 album was on repeat for me when it came out, THIS new one is just making me so excited for her as a musician and I can’t wait to hear where she’ll go next and how her style and tastes will develop…not to bring up the nepobaby discourse again but if there is a nepobaby that’s doing it right it’s willow smith, she has the connections, the passion, the will to experiment and stand out from her peers, can’t help but root for her!

@tylerhackner9731 24 дня назад

One of my favorite albums of the year so far. Jazz-rock stylings work well with her voice, tho it is wonderfully versatile

@tinhippi 24 дня назад

Really happy you decided to review this! I thought this was pretty cool, i have a feeling that WILLOW is gonna drop an incredible project someday. She’s been growing more and more interesting musically throughout the years. False Self and Symptom of Life were my favs.

@j0pj0p 24 дня назад

A decent 8

@ytm23ak 23 дня назад

7/10 from Needle Drop for a female pop artist is like a 9/10. Massive compliment he loved this album.

@Pacmilio 24 дня назад

Math Pop is now canon

@ewe392 18 дней назад

What is canon

@PuLsarSevenMC 17 дней назад

Jazz

@TheMister123 24 дня назад

I agree with just about everything that you said here, with the added angle of my having a strong affinity for prog-rock and jazz-fusion. So the many songs that feature odd rhythms are something I'm VERY much drawn to. But "Run!", despite being in 4/4, is still a top track. I can't wait to hear what Willow does next. Hopefully she FINISHES HER SONGS instead of slapping a bunch of unfinished pieces on yet another ~30-minute record. I would LOVE a 40-45 minute masterpiece, and I know she's capable of producing one. Also, why wasn't "Alone" on this record?!? It's an amazing track, and there's obviously room for it.

@MindfulProgramming 23 дня назад

a jazz record with no instrument solos, the heart aches

@ArthurBizkit 24 дня назад

Willow rocks, not all songs are for me, but I do appreciate how she's pushing her art. Get well soon Mr Fantastic.

@madhavsankaranarayanan4588 24 дня назад

Math Pop is a great genre name

@angel_of_rust 24 дня назад

it's basically taylor swift meets meshuggah

@Coldseen 24 дня назад

listen to the Wicked Farleys

@Vdrum1010 24 дня назад

Check out the bands Lakes, cotoba, Mall Girl, and Good Game!

@laserrlife 24 дня назад

Man Alive by Everything Everything is for sure a math pop album

@jakewaltham3895 24 дня назад

@@Vdrum1010 Pool Kids also

@subwayfootlongsub 24 дня назад

Willow really found her stride with her last project (). I liked it enough that i went to see her in concert and luckily could get her to sign an LP. So i was excited for Empathogen as it’s a huge stylistic shift from her old stuff and i’m glad to say i also really enjoyed it! Just wish her single “Alone” was on there but maybe it doesn’t fit as well as i think it would amongst the other tracks on the album.

@dumbjakeworld 23 дня назад

I love a lot of WILLOW's albums, but Ardipithacus has a special place in my heart. Such a young person having access to the resources to make incredible music and actually making music in the ball park of incredible is a shocker. She must have been hyperfixated on Avatar because she is constantly using the avatar language which is so strange and interesting.

@oogleoo 22 дня назад

probably one of my favorite albums of the year … her progress as a musician and artist is just nuts

@coreywilliams6390 24 дня назад

“Keep my kids album outta your @$&#’in playlist!”

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

🤣💥👋🏾

@malum9478 2 дня назад

sorry will, ur gonna have to smack me cuz im stanning

@o_0malik 24 дня назад

This album is amazing. I’ve been listening to it nonstop.

@BrandynMakes 21 день назад

Same

@phothewin6019 24 дня назад

I'm so impressed with how her music has grown throughout the years. Coping Mechanism was one of my favorite albums of 2022.

@nekomaster1000 15 дней назад

Same!!

@HueyFreeman666 19 дней назад

You don't need to be a "struggling artist" to make good art. Willow is actually talented. A lot of hate she gets is people being mad that she has rich and famous parents. Like, what was she supposed to do? She can't choose her parents lol.

@RyanStorey1231 11 дней назад

I think it's worth having discussions about nepo babies, but I don't think it's fair to blindly hate them for existing. Willow and Jaden have two celebrity parents and were literally raised in the entertainment industry. This is all they know. Of course they were going to do this with their lives. Most kids are highly likely to follow a similar career path as their parents. If you were raised by doctors or people in the medical field, you're very likely to follow suit. If you were born into a military family, you're also very likely to follow in your parents' footsteps. The only time I get annoyed with nepo babies is when they're completely oblivious to their privilege and try to act like having rich, famous parents in the same industry didn't help them get ahead at all. As far as I know, Willow has never said anything or acted that way, so she's cool with me.

@RichardHorrocks 3 дня назад

Radiohead made Kid A when they were millionaires. Nirvana made In Utero when millionaires. And so on. There is no connection between wealth and good art at all. Passion, integrity, talent... bank account, no.

@ethank.7575 24 дня назад

Wouldn't you like to know, REVIEW BOY

@banzaigd 18 дней назад

where are your parents?

@NationalHooeyLeague 3 дня назад

I'm sorry why is this comment so funny 😂

@paigeknickerbocker8335 23 дня назад

I think some people (myself included) forget how young she was when her first album came out. There are a lot of songs I really enjoy from her first one, and to me it really showed her potential. This new album is insane and she is still pretty young so I’m already looking forward to the next one!

@ryan_raus 24 дня назад

Y’all should listen to Symptom of Life if you’re on the fence about listening to the album, it’s pretty awesome

@thegoatzz 24 дня назад

At the start i was scared he hated it so much that he was sick of it

@chris4mac 23 дня назад

Haha my thought was, "Oh, he thinks the album is sick!"

@limpicatto 22 дня назад

Exactly, he shouldn't do that

@wplants9793 20 дней назад

I thought he liked it so much bc it was “siiicckk!!!”

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

I wouldve reconsidered my love for him if he hated this masterpiece

@endlessawareness 24 дня назад

Anthony, I truly hope you feel better soon buddy!

@marvinvogtde 24 дня назад

for me this is def a light to decent 8, what we got i realy really enjoyed with the same main complaint you had in that it was just a tad too short, espacially ancient girl, which has so much potential i think that i almost want her to revisit that song in some kind of deluxe edition down the line

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

It makes me want to catch her live

@ancestralabundance 24 дня назад

Big Feelings is such a good song

@jonathanyoung6397 24 дня назад

I love this album, one of my favorites of the year for sure.. will be buying on vinyl, so can't really give it any higher honors than that. It's a smart jazz-funk inflected pop / soul record. Wonderful off-kilter percussion (7:4 time signature!) and really joyous, confident vocals. Just a great album...

@ladyofire 23 дня назад

She knocked this one out of the park! It's a solid 10 for me. Her creativity in this album is impeccable. This album not only showcases her unbelievable versatility in style/genres of music but her vocals were on point as well all throughout. She is a pure musical genius, in my opinion. So happy to see her evolve into such a great artist.

@nelson1tom 24 дня назад

God dammit. Im going to have to give this Willow Smith album a fair try.

@g.u.959 23 дня назад

I gave COPINGMECHANISM a shot back in late 2022 after Spectrum Pulse gave it a recommendation, I thought it was really good! I think Willow’s been doing some really neat stuff

@justinwarthen 22 дня назад

Definitely worth checking out and it’s pretty short

@Gabriel071293 21 день назад

It's legitimately good I'm impressed, honestly

@PancakeDiaries 19 дней назад

Been listening to her since "9" feat SZA over 8 years ago

@payt00n 16 дней назад

This anr CopingMechanism are both really great albums

@_MYSTICWOLF 24 дня назад

so happy u enjoyed this record! def my fav album of the year!

@Zodemus 24 дня назад

Damnit a Fiona Apple reference makes me feel obligated to give it a listen.

@2ChuChu3 23 дня назад

I'm a huge Fiona Apple fan - she's one of my favorite artists of all time. Empathogen really had me craving a collab! Especially with the more experimental angle Fiona has been taking lately, it seemed like they could create something really beautiful and unique. I hope you enjoy it!

@rociojimenez3363 22 дня назад

Real

@me45116 23 дня назад

Thanks for the overwiew of Willo's career, it was very interesting to think about it in retrospect

@Yamazaki112 21 день назад

I loved it for what it was. I take into account that she's 23. I take into account that there are not a lot of people her age even tackling the genre's and sonics she's reaching for. Hearing chords and riffs reminded me of Hiatus Kaiyote. I am happy to hear Gen Z take Jazz and make it fun again! After the 2nd listen to the album I will give it a strong 8 for creativity, sampling, and growth over all. Music has made a strong comeback this year.

@adamhurd1560 24 дня назад

Yeah, I actually really liked this album, I liked her last three as well but I really feel like this one is fantastic. Surprised to say it myself but I'm usually really excited to hear a Willow record nowadays and I never thought I'd say that.

@GuyWhoLikesTheSnarkies1435 24 дня назад

Feels like this album should've deserved better score from Melon though. That being said, I'm happy to see her getting more recognition she deserves🥰

@SuperMustache555 22 дня назад

Haven't kept up with Willow since her debut, but this release has been everywhere! Can't wait to see what's next...

@RobertGraefeMusic 22 дня назад

I was really looking forward to this release. In my opinion, you putting it as a "head scratcher" is pretty accurate. To me it felt like a sketch book of very cool ideas, but still most of these ideas seem to stay in the realm of a sketch. Nevertheless, it is a more than refreshing release and fun to listen to :)

@PokeBallerLuke 24 дня назад

this album is like halo 2 + halo 3

@spongbong0 24 дня назад

=halo 5

@hidenseek2 24 дня назад

i dont get it

@rustyshackleford3401 24 дня назад

Animal Well out now on PS5, Switch and PC

@Dingodongdongodongodn 24 дня назад

Wishlist animal well

@chrisb8698 24 дня назад

Oh man, this comment made me think of Animal Well, which comes out today for all platforms.

@cheesecakelasagna 14 дней назад

Been digging this album for week now!

@SirTheory 23 дня назад

I love Lately I Feel Everything and Copingmechanism, so I was initially a bit disappointed when I heard her new sonic direction. However, the more I play Empathogen, the more I'm liking it. There is a track that makes me think of Tori Amos, and if you're bringing to mind Tori Amos, you're doing something good. That said, I do agree that there does feel like there should be something else here-and it might be some extra song development for some of those shorter tracks-but I might also just be pining for those sweet alternative guitars she did so well on her last two albums.

@katrahqueymusic 24 дня назад

this album reminds me of esperanza spalding's most recent works from a few years back. i hope they collab in the future.

@dylansteward 24 дня назад

I really enjoyed this album 8/10

@Mighty_Atheismo 24 дня назад

Thank you for this nice review, review boy.

@bradenbagley6147 24 дня назад

I know your schedule has been pretty packed lately and you don’t generally review jazz but I really think we need a review for the new Kamasi record.

@achuprasad4482 24 дня назад

He’s reviewed all the singles so feel pretty confident he’ll drop one for the album

@dietcoke1872 23 дня назад

he definitely will, he said the epic was one of the best albums of the year it came out- kamasi is on his radar

@mantawoman_ 14 дней назад

Great point about the brevity. Overall loving this album

@gummywormjim 17 дней назад

This album is incredible. I'm sorry your sick, but I hope you and everyone else give this album more chances because it's really really good. It's giving Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Ani DiFranco. It's a benchmark album for Willow and for folk pop in general.

@daveteves 24 дня назад

This record is a slap.

@reconmonkey7 24 дня назад

Hope you feel better Anthony 😢

@geraltrivia9565 23 дня назад

One of my fav albums of the year so far

@lucianfick2218 24 дня назад

I agree with Ant that a couple three songs on "empathogen" drop off the table at the end. That said I love where she's going with the material- more jazz-, chanteuse-driven songs, soaring harmonies, really stretching out vocally, showing her versatility. I remain a fan.

@satelliteimagerymusic 24 дня назад

I hope Anthony recovers from this empathogen shortly 🙏🙏

@princepeachfuzz 22 дня назад

I got sick too, hope you get well Anthony

@Lexyboogie 3 дня назад

I really enjoyed this album. I’m loving her musical direction and a few of these tracks are some of the best songs I’ve heard in a long time. I’m pleasantly surprised by the craftsmanship.

@JAYDUBYAH29 21 день назад

She will win several Grammys for this, and Willow will be the musical genius of her generation. This record announced the emergence of an incredible artist.

@astral_plane_crash 23 дня назад

Pretty dope that she's actually making interesting music. I WILL be keeping tabs on her music career.

@AxelRezinovsky 23 дня назад

Loved this album! I'm listening to it everyday since it came out

@americanpancakelive 23 дня назад

The brevity thing seems to be a trend of sorts. I have been covering indie artists, like really indie artists for 15 years now and over the last 6 months have been getting submissions in of sounds that seem to be begging to be longer but run in at 1:47 or 2:10 and the shortness makes them feel like song ideas, like demos and I am wondering if in the tik tokian world if artists are purposely making short, short songs. Not a good trend if you ask me. Sure, the Ramones were able to make concise perfect songs at 2 minutes long but most artists can't pull that off.

@renapeppers20 24 дня назад

Willow went from getting the lowest scores to a 7, that's some evolution

@narayaniangulo9456 23 дня назад

I love her ❤ Run is also a great song, loved Big Feelings, and in general i really enjoyed this record ✨

@SunniDae333 22 дня назад

Symptom of life is a masterpiece

@OxzowachiAlt 17 дней назад

I just listened to this and was blown away. Great pop/rock (?) tracks with tasteful jazz influences that stay unpredictable and consistently fun. On top of that are her great vocals. Definitely my favorite album I've reviewed so far right above Vespertine, TPAB, and Juno

@lolsaXx 20 дней назад

I loved it but yes, i felt a bit robbed of the short songs that i'd love to have been much longer.

@nitnelav6730 24 дня назад

What does the blue flannel refer to??

@defnotisaiah3210 24 дня назад

get well soon fantano!

@noname558 24 дня назад

bro this seer is soo eerie in the back

@freejedisentinel2878 21 день назад

Willow's album was incredible. Great rock album. Thoroughly impressed!!!

@rileybell9988 24 дня назад

I thought crodie was wearing a yarmulke 😭

@TungerManU 24 дня назад

just because you have no hair to whip doesn't mean you have to take 3 points off the score

@TheVoidstonz 14 дней назад

I love that Cal pops up in these reviews

@SuiteVII 20 дней назад

The brief songs makes really want to see her live

@rpenm 19 дней назад

Hope Cal feels better soon

@MTDueling 23 дня назад

PLEASE! review the new Cloud Nothings record

@TheRareVideosXL 24 дня назад

Great album review.

@makomako6474 19 дней назад

Makes me think of Hiatus Kayote sometimes. A good surprise.

@KarianneHylkema 21 день назад

Wishing you health. I don't know what you're going through but it must be hard to be the internet's busiest music nerd and not feel well.

@jamesmartin6731 23 дня назад

reminding me of Feed me Jack and Bobbing in a lot of moments, it sounds great

@Reflecter16 24 дня назад

Completely unrelated but I like the Blue and White flannel reviews.

@steemusic10 20 дней назад

Your overall review is exactly how I felt

@pearlscent 23 дня назад

Can you react to "Electra Heart: Platinum Blonde Edition." But keep in mind the artist stated that she created it out of unseriousness. She was purposefully displaying an archetype of a common female popstar, but also many different archetypes within it. It's a very bipolar album.