Album Mode
241 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago -Welcome to Album Mode where journalist, Demar Grant and The Cool Table host, Adriel Smiley breakdown and review the latest albums. Each episode features a new album where both hosts dive in-depth about the project and the artist’s path to its release.
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Episodes
XXXVIII. Fuck Your Expectations PT.1 | AG Club
April 06, 2021 19:38 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss AG Club’s BROCKHAMPTON-ness, funny lyrics and the importance of skits. Demar’s rating: 8 Adriel’s rating: 7.5 ** NO SKIPS**, maybe? 🤔 The Love List: UGUDBRU, A Bitch Curious, TRUTH, COLUMBIA, NOHO, HOT PINK P.S. Should skits count when it comes to an album’s rating? Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXVII. Justice | Justin Bieber
March 23, 2021 18:22 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Justin Bieber’s barren lyrics, tone-deaf MLK interlude and his sonic journey. Demar’s rating: 7 Adriel’s rating: 5.5 The Love List: Deserve You, Die For You, Loved By You, Love You Different. Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXVI. Once Upon a Time | Chika
March 16, 2021 18:16 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss CHIKA’s EP “Once Upon a Time”, her versatility and storytelling. Demar’s rating: 9 Adriel’s rating: 8.5 **NO SKIPS** The Love List: Fairy Tales, Hickory Dickory, Cinderella Pt. 1 & 2, Save You P.S. the timing on this EP drop is amazing. This EP dropped on Friday, two days before the Grammy’s where she was nominated for best new artist. Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXV. Scary Hours 2 | Drake
March 09, 2021 15:42 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Drake’s EP “Scary Hours 2”,’ his dad bars and his collabs with Rick Ross. Demar’s rating: 6.5 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: What’s Next, Lemon Pepper Freestyle P.S. Is the Drake x Ross ever coming or what? Their chemistry is otherworldly Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial & @Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXIV. Made In The Pyrex | Digga D
March 02, 2021 22:30 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Digga D’s sophomore mixtape “Made in the Pyrex”, patois and his devil may care attitude. Demar’s rating: 7 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: Bluuwuu, Woi, Chingy, Gun Man Sound, Window P.S. Lots of Unknown T references in Digga’s bars, the collab tape has gotta be around the corner 🧐 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial & @Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXIII. Terra Firma | Tash Sultana
February 25, 2021 13:46 - 42 minutes - 39 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Tash Sultana’s sophomore album “Terra Firma” and their dreamy vocals. Demar’s rating: 6 Adriel’s rating: 6.5 The Love List: Musk, Dream My Life Away, Pretty Lady P.S. This album will probably kill in concert... remember when those were a thing? 😩 Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXII. TYRON | slowthai
February 16, 2021 20:51 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Slowthai’s sophomore album “Tyron” and the duality of it’s two discs. Demar’s rating: 7 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: CANCELLED, PLAY WITH FIRE & the entire second disc. P.S. Happy 10 year anniversary to Frank Ocean’s nostalgia, ULTRA Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXXI. Flowers for Vases / Descansos | Hayley Williams
February 09, 2021 19:49 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Hayley Williams’ sophomore album “ FLOWERS for VASES / descansos” and her aggressive mediocrity. Demar’s rating: 5 Adriel’s rating: 5.5 The Love List: My Limb, Over Those Hills, Find Me Here, Just a Lover P.S. Why does it sound like we’ve heard this album, 3 times already? Oh wait... Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXX. Collapsed in Sunbeams | Arlo Parks
February 02, 2021 21:12 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Arlo Park’s debut album “Collapsed in Sunbeams”, her airy vocals and her despaired lyrics. Demar’s rating: 9.5 Adriel’s rating: 9 The Love List: Bluish, Porta 400, Just Go, Green Eyes, Caroline NO SKIPS P.S. This is our AOTY so far. Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXIX. Unbothered | Lil Skies
January 26, 2021 22:27 - 49 minutes - 45 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Lil Skies’ sophomore album “Unbothered”, his abysmal lyrics, generic production and faux sad aesthetic. Demar’s rating: 2 Adriel’s rating: 2 The Love List: Riot...? 😬 P.S. If you’re a Lil Skies fan... why? Please tell us, we want to know 😂 Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial & Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXVIII. DemiDevil | Ashnikko
January 19, 2021 22:19 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Ashnikko’s debut mixtape “DEMIDEVIL”, her status as a rapper and whether everything needs to be ‘trappified’. Demar’s rating: 5 Adriel’s rating: 6.5 The Love List: Daisy, Toxic, Slumber Party, Deal With it P.S. The blue hair is a wig right?? Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial & @Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXVII. Madvillainy | Madvillain
January 12, 2021 23:45 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Madvillain’s classic album “Madvillainy”, produced by the illustrious Madlib and rapped by the late MF DOOM. We go over it’s multiple layers, MF DOOM’s characters and legacy. Demar’s rating: 9 Adriel’s rating: 8.5 *NO SKIPS* The Love List: Accordion, All Caps, Fancy Clown, Raid, Strange Ways, Figaro P.S. Raid, Strange Ways, Fancy Clown and All Caps were all used in The Boondocks animated sitcom. P.P.S. Rest in Power MF DOOM. Follow us: @AlbumModePod...
XXVI. Whole Lotta Red | Playboi Carti
December 29, 2020 20:29 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Playboi Carti’s highly anticipated second studio album “Whole Lotta Red”, his leaks and his scattered sound. Demar’s rating: 5 Adriel’s rating: 3.5 The Love List: Place, I love you hate you, ILoveUIHateU, Teen X P.S. This album is gonna kill at concerts Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial & @Adrielsmiley on CH @DemarjGrant & @demar on CH
XXV. Top 10 Albums of 2020
December 23, 2020 01:28 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBFinally, it’s the list you’ve all been waiting for! This week Demar and Adriel count down their top 10 albums of the year and their lists are filled with more than a few twists. First, hear the duo trade off their 10-6 (13:20), then their top 5’s (31:25) P.S. Yes we will be reviewing Whole Lotta Red if (and we mean IF) it drops this Christmas. Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XXIV. Evermore | Taylor Swift
December 16, 2020 19:58 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Taylor Swift’s ninth studio album “Evermore”, its relationship with Folklore and her release cycle. Demar’s rating: 6 Adriel’s rating: 4 The Love List: No body, No Crime, Champagne Problems, Happiness, Long Story Short P.S. This album is oddly overproduced P.P.S. We’re on Clubhouse, @demar and @Adrielsmiley Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XXIII. Man on the Moon III: The Chosen | Kid Cudi
December 16, 2020 01:16 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Kid Cudi’s seventh studio album “Man on the Moon III: The Chosen” and his influence. Demar’s rating: 3 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: Heaven on Earth, Show Out, Sad People, Lovin’ Me P.S. I only claim Lovin’ Me ~ Demar Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XXII. Nightmare Vacation | Rico Nasty
December 08, 2020 22:36 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Rico Nasty’s debut studio album “Nightmare Vacation”, the difference between albums and mixtapes in 2020 and the golden era of women in hip hop. Demar’s rating: 5 Adriel’s rating: 4.5 The Love List: IPHONE, Let it Out, Smack a Bitch (remix), Back and Forth P.S. The hook for Pussy Poppin... 😬😬 P.P.S. Aminé is fully in his bag rn, Back & Forth sounds like a Limbo cut more than a Rico Nasty track. Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @...
XXI. Plastic Hearts | Miley Cyrus
December 01, 2020 20:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Miley Cyrus’ seventh studio album “Plastic Hearts”, genre switching and rockstars. Demar’s rating: 8 Adriel’s rating: 8 The Love List: Prisoner, Plastic Hearts, Gimmie What I Want, Midnight Sky, Bad Karma, Edge of Midnight, Never Be Me, P.S. Somehow Adriel doesn’t like WTF Do I Know 🤯 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XX. Good News | Megan Thee Stallion
November 24, 2020 19:33 - 57 minutes - 130 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s debut album “Good News”, the beef and the misunderstanding of her strengths. Demar’s rating: 5.5 Adriel’s rating: 5 The Love List: Shots Fired, Circles, Freaky Girls, What’s New P.S. Nice For What walked so Circles could run Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XIX. So Help Me God! | 2 Chainz
November 18, 2020 17:02 - 54 minutes - 50 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss 2 Chainz’s sixth album “So Help Me God!”, his maturity and his claim as southside Hov. Demar’s rating: 7 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: Save Me, Can't Go For That, Vampire, Wait For you to die, Toni P.S. The samples on this one are nuts Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XVIII. Pluto x Baby Pluto | Future & Lil Uzi Vert
November 17, 2020 20:24 - 51 minutes - 47 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Future and Lil Uzi Vert’s first collab album “Pluto x Baby Pluto” and Future’s influence. Demar’s rating: 5 Adriel’s rating: 5 The Love List: Million Dollar Pay, Sleeping on the Floor, Plastic P.S. Future saved this one 👀 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XVII. Emergency Tsunami | NAV
November 10, 2020 20:57 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss NAV’s latest mixtape “Emergency Tsunami” and his artistic stagnation. Demar’s rating: 3 Adriel’s rating: 4 The Love List: Friends & Family, Nasty, Vetement Socks P.S. this is a strong contender for album art of the year P.P.S. The album art for this mixtape is so good the music almost makes it look like false advertising. Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XVI. Positions | Ariana Grande
November 03, 2020 19:43 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Ariana Grande's latest sex-driven album “Positions”, her coming for Rihanna’s spot and dream collabs. Demar’s rating: 7.5 Adriel’s rating: 7.5 The Love List: 34+35, off the table, nasty, pov, love language P.S. Ariana would sound dope over drill beats, here are the mashups we were talking about on the pod: https://twitter.com/albummodepod/status/1323691078973796352?s=21 & https://twitter.com/albummodepod/status/1323691176654942208?s=21 Follow us...
XV. Featuring Ty Dolla $ign | Ty Dolla $ign
October 27, 2020 16:40 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Ty Dolla Sign’s latest album “Featuring Ty Dolla Sign”, status as a feature artist and expectations. Demar’s rating: 6 Adriel’s rating: 5.5 Demar’s Love List: Status, Temptations, Spicy, Nothing Like Your Exes Adriel’s Love List: Your Turn, Time Will Tell, Track 6, Real Life Follow us: @AlbumModePod AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XIV. Burden of Proof | Benny the Butcher
October 21, 2020 01:04 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Benny the Butcher’s sophomore album “Burden of Proof”, Benny’s story and Hit-boy’s hot streak. Demar’s rating: 5.5 Adriel’s rating: 8 The Love List: Burden of Proof, Legend, War Paint, Timeless Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XIII. EDNA | Headie One
October 13, 2020 20:18 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Headie One’s debut album “EDNA”, it’s shifting sound and his unrefined songwriting. Demar’s rating: 6.5 Adriel’s rating: 6 The Love List: Princess Cuts, Parlez Vous Anglais, Try Me, Bumpy Ride Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XII. Savage Mode 2 | 21 Savage & Metro Boomin
October 06, 2020 18:38 - 1 hour - 63 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’s sequel to their legendary EP “Savage Mode”, “Savage Mode II”, 21 Savage’s growth and Metro Boomin’s mastery. Demar’s rating: 8.5 Adriel’s rating: 8 The Love List: Runnin, Slidin, Many Men, No Opp Left Behind, Steppin On Niggas, Rich Nigga Shit, NO SKIPS Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
XI. Nectar | Joji
September 29, 2020 23:53 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Joji’s second studio album “Nectar”, Filthy Frank and his sadness. Demar’s rating: 8 Adriel’s rating: 8 The Love List: Ew, Modus, Tick Tock, Run, Daylight, Gimmie Love, NITROUS Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
X. A Day in a Yellow Beat | Yellow Days
September 22, 2020 19:37 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Yellow Days’ second studio album “A Day in a Yellow Beat”, his expansive production and his unorthodox songwriting. Demar’s rating: 7 Adriel’s rating: 6.5 The Love List: Getting Closer, The Curse, So Lost, Who’s There, Something Special Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
IX. Top | YoungBoy Never Broke Again
September 15, 2020 16:54 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Youngboy Never Broke Again’s third studio album “Top”, his audience and the tug of war that is his artistry. Demar’s rating: 3 Adriel’s rating: 4.5 The Love List: Drug Addiction, Right Foot Creep, Off-Season, All In Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
VIII. Detroit 2 | Big Sean
September 08, 2020 20:20 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Big Sean’s latest album "Detroit 2" and his legacy. Demar’s rating: 5.5 Adriel’s rating: 7 The Love List: Body Language, Lucky Me, Don Life, Harder Than My Demons, Why Would I Stop? Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
VII. Smile | Katy Perry
September 01, 2020 20:18 - 1 hour - 60 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Katy Perry’s latest album "Smile" and whether it’s viable to make happy music in 2020. Demar’s rating: 6.5 Adriel’s rating: 6 The Love List: Harley’s in Hawaii, Smile, Champagne problems Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
VI. King's Disease | Nas
August 25, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 64 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Nas’s latest album "King’s Disease", his modernized sound and how the culture has caught up to his pro-black rhetoric. Demar's rating: 7.5 Adriel's rating: 7.5 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
V. Teenage Fever | Kaash Paige & Laugh Now Cry Later | Drake
August 18, 2020 17:44 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Kaash Paige’s debut album "Teenage Fever" and whether raw talent is enough. (56:25) Then the duo talk about Drake’s latest single "Laugh Now Cry Later" and Demar shares why he thinks Drake is now New York Melo. Demar's rating: 5 Adriel's rating: 7 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
IV. Limbo | Amine
August 11, 2020 18:44 - 1 hour - 82.4 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Aminé’s sophomore album Limbo, his growth and young adulthood.
IV. Limbo | Aminé
August 11, 2020 18:44 - 1 hour - 82.4 MBThis week Adriel and Demar discuss Aminé’s sophomore album "Limbo", his growth and young adulthood. Demar's rating: 7.5 Adriel's rating: 8.5 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
III. What Could Possibly Go Wrong | Dominic Fike
August 04, 2020 16:26 - 1 hour - 97.4 MBThis week Demar and Adriel discuss Dominic Fike’s debut album "What Could Possibly Go Wrong" and the root of his amorphous genre-bending sound. Demar's rating: 6 Adriel's rating: 7 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
2. Folklore | Taylor Swift + No Pressure | Logic
July 28, 2020 19:44 - 2 hours - 226 MBWelcome to Album Mode‘s first doubleheader! First Adriel and Demar discuss folklore, Taylor Swift’s latest stripped down and contemplative album made entirely in quarantine. Then at (1:08:10) the duo examines Logic’s retirement album No Pressure, his blackness and Logic’s place in hip hop culture.
II. Folklore | Taylor Swift + No Pressure | Logic
July 28, 2020 19:44 - 2 hours - 226 MBWelcome to Album Mode‘s first doubleheader! First, Adriel and Demar discuss "folklore", Taylor Swift’s latest stripped down and contemplative album made entirely in quarantine. Demar's rating: 9 Adriel's rating: 8 Then at (1:08:10) the duo examines Logic’s retirement album No Pressure, his blackness and Logic’s place in hip hop culture. Demar's rating: 8 Adriel's rating: 8 Follow us: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileyOfficial @DemarjGrant
I. Rise Above Hate | Unknown T
July 22, 2020 18:38 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBIn the inaugural episode of Album Mode, Adriel Smiley and Demar Grant discuss the Unknown T’s debut project "Rise Above Hate". Unknown T is one of the rising stars of the UK drill scene and since clearing a case he’s been on a hot streak of singles building anticipation for the project. "Rise Above Hate" comes through on Unknown T's promise and potential earning Grant and Smiley’s praise as one of the best albums of the year. Demar's rating: 8 Adriel's rating: 8 Follow us: @AlbumModePod...
1. Rise Above Hate | Unknown T
July 22, 2020 18:38 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBIn the inaugural episode of Album Mode, Adriel Smiley and Demar Grant discuss the Unknown T’s debut project 'Rise Above Hate'. Unknown T is one of the rising stars of the UK drill scene and since clearing a case he’s been on a hot streak of singles building anticipation for the project. ‘Rise Above Hate’ comes through on Unknown T's promise and potential earning Grant and Smiley’s praise as one of the best albums of the year.