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PODCAST

Album Mode

Demar Grant & Adriel Smiley

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.

music music commentary

All Episodes

52:13

CXXXIX. Young Thug | Business is Business

Album Mode ·

2023/07/04

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Young Thug's Third studio album 'Business is Business’, whether Young Thug has fallen off and how Thugger's vocal performance circumvents the album's generic production.Démar’s rating: 7 / 10Adriel’s rating: 6.5 / 10The Love List: Gucci Grocery Bag, Wit Da Racks, Hoodie, Oh U Went0:00 - Introduction 8:40 - Fav Thug songs14:50 - 21 Savage is like Klay Thompson32:33 - Hoodie sounds like a Izzo (H.O.V.A.) interpolation34:45 - Who gets Lil Baby in the divorce45:30 -

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32:50

Drake announces a new album, Lil Uzi Vert reveals The...

Album Mode ·

2023/06/28

Démar and Adriel discuss the promo streak Lil Uzi Vert, Drake and Travis Scott have been on over the past week. Adriel keeps wanting to talk about Pusha T and Jim Jones inexplicable beef over the top 50 and a heated debate about whether Future is a top 50 rapper of all time.Time Codes: 0:15 – Introduction4:48 – Drake is a style icon8:15 – Uzi is a Republican13:25 – Jim Jones vs Pusha T14:45 – Jim Jones making the best music of his career19:35 – Why is beef a hip-hop thing?23:40 – Is Future Top

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46:15

CXXXVIII. Gunna | A Gift & a Curse

Album Mode ·

2023/06/26

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Gunna's fourth studio album 'A Gift and a Curse’, whether it's his best album to date and how leaving the guitar behind has helped his production.Démar’s rating: 4Adriel’s rating: 6The Love List: fukumean, rodeo dr, bottom, p angelsP.S. When we said Young Nudy, we meant Young Thug0:00 - Introduction4:00 - It’s been destitute4:50 - The black Nav6:55 - 69 is a snitch just like Gunna, just less liked 11:00 - Guitar production used by Gunna12:15 - A part of his

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26:35

Predicting the Song of the Summer, The Idol is still...

Album Mode ·

2023/06/26

Démar and Adriel breakdown episode 3 of the Idol, predict which songs they thing will be the song of the summer and discuss Andre 3000’s alleged album on the way. Don’t believe the hype! Andre 3000 is in the Kanye/Frank Ocean zone, we gotta see it to believe it.Time Codes:0:00 – Introduction2:03 – Being threatened by someone named Abel9:18 – I thought it was going to be way worse11:40 – Our predictions for song of the summer22:08 – Andre 3000 original Frank oceanFollow

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47:59

CXXXVII. Janelle Monáe | The Age of Pleasure

Album Mode ·

2023/06/20

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Janelle Monáe's fourth studio album 'The Age of Pleasure', its reggae roots and how seamlessly Monáe blends genres.Démar’s rating: 9Adriel’s rating: 7.5The Love List: Water Slide, Phenomenal, The Rush, Haute*NO SKIPS*Follow us:YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/@AlbumModeTikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram:Album Mode:

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28:57

Honestly, Nevermind turns one, aging like fine wine...

Album Mode ·

2023/06/20

Démar and Adriel talk about Drake's Honestly, Nevermind hitting its one-year anniversary and how its aged (hint: that joint slaps, you haters). Also The Weeknd's 'The Idol' is purposefully unsettling but also cringe.Time Codes:0:00 – introduction14:34 - Honestly, Nevermind's one-year anniversaryFollow us:YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/@AlbumModeTikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi

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43:48

Taylor Swift gets bullied out of dating Matty Healy...

Album Mode ·

2023/06/08

Démar and Adriel talk about how Taylor Swift got bullied into dumping Matty Healy and whether The Weeknd’s acting is genuinely off-kilter or just bad on ‘The Idol’. The duo also debate whether bad haircuts are The Weeknd’s brand and why there hasn’t been a hip hop #1 on the charts yet. Time Codes:0:00 – introduction2:15 – Bought in5:50 – Taylor Swift fans like to cancel people13:00 – The Fumble21:30 – The Weeknd’s hair is terrible24:15 – The Weeknd’s hair being terrible is allegedly his brand30:00 –

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35:39

CXXXVI. Dave x Central Cee | Split Decision

Album Mode ·

2023/06/08

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the first collab EP between Dave and Central Cee, ‘Split Decision’, how Central Cee has freed Dave from seriousness and how Dave’s lyricism challenges Cee to elevate his own.Démar’s rating: 4 StarsAdriel’s rating: 4 StarsThe Love List: Sprinter, Trojan Horse, Our 25th Birthday0:18 - Introduction04:09 – Projects that never happened4:38 – CC Fans10:00 – 25th Birthday13:20 – Could have had a Drake feature21:44 - Generic bit it bumps24:26 – Central Cee Outta

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48:26

CXXXV. Arlo Parks | My Soft Machine

Album Mode ·

2023/06/06

This week Démar and Adriel discuss Arlo Parks’ sophomore album ‘My Soft Machine’, it’s adventurous production and Parks’ revamped (and blunted) song writing style. Démar’s rating: 8.5Adriel’s rating: 8.5The Love List: Blades, Purple Phase, Impurities, Puppy0:00 Intro 4:00 Arlo Parks is Tyrese Haliburton5:30 She doesn't need features6:40 Romil from BROCKHAMPTON8:35 Weightless with Paul Epworth10:00 Sounds like Carly Rae Jepsen14:30 Emotion in her vocals17:30 Blades is Demar's favourite23:10 Arlo

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63:14

CXXXIV. KAYTRAMINÉ | KAYTRAMINÉ

Album Mode ·

2023/05/27

This week Démar and Adriel discuss the KAYTRAMINÉ collab album ‘KAYTRAMINÉ,’ Aminé’s 90’s references, being a pop Pusha T and whether improved KAYTRAMINÉ is a crossover point for Kaytranada.Démar’s rating: 8Adriel’s rating: 8.5 The Love List: 4EVA, Westside, K&A, EYE,Time Codes:0:00 Intro 3:20 steez4:20 lots going on in a good way7:30 he’s like Portland8:20 he’s like Pusha T9:00 song of summer doesn’t work for everyone9:50 this is not scaring the hoes music 14:30 the ticking hi-hat 16:30 joey

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29:01

Where is the Song of the Summer? Kid Cudi Cancels His...

Album Mode ·

2023/05/27

Démar and Adriel discuss why there’s no song of the summer yet, Kid Cudi nixing his single release after being roasted by twitter and the death of the great Tina Turner.Time Codes:0:00 - Intro1:00 - Tina Turner4:35 - Song of summer / Adriel is a hipster7:15 - Travis Scott … it’s music it’s on a USB10:45 - Cudi snippet removed from Twitter15:15 - Chance the rapper16:15 - Summer Walker22:45 - Adriel has a lot of Travis Scott shit to talk25:45 - Can Demar count the forgotten “Drake” albumFollow

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25:03

Repo Reaper's TikToks are reviving DaBaby's Career &...

Album Mode ·

2023/05/23

Démar and Adriel discuss how the hip hop developed over the 90s and how many artists have maintained their relevance beyond the monumental time for the genre. The duo also talks about DaBaby’s potential comeback because of the Repo Reaper account on TikTok’s virality.Time Codes:0:00 - Intro2:00 - Tribe4:35 - 90s Dr Dre7:05 - Wu-Tang11:35 - Rihanna son named RZA12:29 - RZA to Riff Raff13:20 - 1 hit wonders16:05 - Bootylicious17:05 - DaBaby & TikTokFollow us:TikTok:Album Mode:

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52:46

RETRO REVIEW: Nas | Illmatic

Album Mode ·

2023/05/23

Hip Hop turns 50 this year so Album Mode has decided to look at an album per decade to see how the genre has evolved since that primordial party in New York that started it all. This week Démar and Adriel discuss one of the god MC’s, Nas’ and his debut classic ‘Illmatic’, it’s iconic lines and one liners. The duo also discuss the legendary production list and how 'Illmatic' traps the listener in New York with Nas.Démar’s rating: 10Adriel’s rating: 10The Love List: NY State of mind, The World is

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53:42

CXXXVIII. Destroy Lonely | If Looks Could Kill

Album Mode ·

2023/05/17

This week Démar and Adriel discuss rapper Destroy Lonely’s debut album ‘If Looks Could Kill.’ Lonely’s Nav-ness and whether his lack of variance on a feature-less album can work long term. Time Codes:0:00 - Intro7:15 - If you know what 9/11 is then you are old enough9:25 - One flow all the way through14:45 - Sounds like he has to take a dump16:00 - Something to his voice18:30 - He is your cousin that raps who you hate his music…19:30 - Ball like Dellavedova21:30 - Reminds Démar of Nav32:59 -

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38:24

The Weeknd is changing his name and Doja Cat hates...

Album Mode ·

2023/05/16

Démar and Adriel discuss why Démar is scared about The Weeknd potentially changing his stage name and Doja Cat’s twitter tirade about her artistry. Timbaland is also making AI songs with a dead artist… LIKE WE PREDICICTED. Time Codes:0:00 - intro3:00 - Dealing with Doja13:45 - Ed vs Marvin Gaye20:54 - The Weeknd22:15 - Démar is nervous23:10 - The fan artists complain about26:45 - Démar is aware and will endure29:00 – Timbaland/Biggie AI Follow us:TikTok:Album Mode:

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36:15

CXXXVII. boygenius | The Record

Album Mode ·

2023/05/09

This week Démar and Adriel discuss supergroup Boygenius latest album ‘The Record’ and whether they’re a sum lesser than their parts and if their “background music” style of production works. Demar’s rating: 5.5Adriel’s rating: 6 The Love List: Satanist, $20, Emily I’m Sorry Follow us on YouTube / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok:@AlbumModePod@AdrielSmileyDotCom@DemarjGrant

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69:42

CXXXVI. Jack Harlow | Jackman.

Album Mode ·

2023/05/07

This week Démar and Adriel discuss rapper Jack Harlow’s third studio album ‘Jackman.’ Harlow’s improved lyricism and whether he can step outside rapper-Drake’s shadow. 4:00 - raps like Drake7:30 - this shit is good, respectfully 13:15 - when I think of Kentucky16:00 - a pop rapper18:00 - Drake of Jay-z beats25:55 - is Jack top 50? Lol27:00 - it can’t be (being a white rapper)31:00 - black women love him34:15 - Drake or Jack lyric40:00 - production53:00 - the cover58:00 - Vinyl *NO SKIPS*Démar’s

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30:19

Post Malone Flexes his 8-song Diamond Collection and...

Album Mode ·

2023/05/06

Démar and Adriel discuss how Post Malone went from potential one-hit wonder to 8 diamond singles. Also, Pras is involved in international espionage… What? 8:00 - We thought White Iverson was a gimmick12:30 - Hip-hip is the space (primordial ooze)13:45 - Rap Rock18:30 - Pras19:00 - founded wolf of Wall Street21:45 - why is the Chinese government contacting the 3rd member of the Fugees23:30 - AI26:00 - ringing a bell about using black artists likenessFollow us:TikTok:Album Mode:

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22:30

Is Pusha T top 50? Mac Demarco drops 199-song album...

Album Mode ·

2023/04/28

Démar and Adriel discuss the audacity of Mac Demarco to drop a 199 song album and discuss Jim Jones' comments on Pusha T not being a top 50 rapper of all time.P.S. Juice Wrld is Top 50 - D===================================Time Codes:0:00 - intro1:30 - song plays - Adriel a fan of more music2:45 - song 20190724 - fun to make5:45 - is it possible to drop too music (NBA Youngboy)9:00 - Jim Jones x Pusha T14:00 - internet deciding what's good15:20 - Pusha T only raps about 1 thing18:00 - top 5018:50 -

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61:23

RETRO REVIEW: NWA | Straight Outta Compton

Album Mode ·

2023/04/25

To celebrate hip hop's 50th year anniversary Demar and Adriel are going back into the annals of hip hop history and breaking down an album from each decade. The evolution of hip hop has happened at a lightning pace and by looking at an album from each decade we’ll get a chance to examine its growth throughout the half century.This week Démar and Adriel discuss NWA’s debut album ‘Straight Outta Compton’, mono-syllabic rap and the album’s production being guitar led. Demar’s rating: 8Adriel’s rating:

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