x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

36:52

Angine de Poitrine's "Vol. II" is good... right? |...

Album Mode ·

2026/04/13

Démar and Adriel discuss Angine de Poitrine's second studio album 'Vol. II' and whether skipping the intro to songs that are great afterwards makes for a good albumTimecodes2:35 The Viral Video7:15 Is it Intentional?11:34 Angor14:54 Mixed reactions online20:00 Similar to Rosalia23:10 The Cover29:30 The ScoreFollow us:TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemiInstagram:Album Mode:

en

42:46

Arlo Park's new sound brings 'Ambiguous Desire' | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/04/11

Démar and Adriel discuss Arlo Park's third studio album 'Ambiguous Desire', how drastically her sound has changed since the beginning of her career and the regression of her stellar songwriting.Timecodes 2:49 First inductee into the Album Mode Hall of Fame4:11 Past Reviews8:35 No more guitars12:12 Heaven20:55 Jetta24:45 Luck of Life27:37 What If I Say It?30:05 South Seconds31:29 What this means for Arlo Parks’ career34:33 The Cover38:16 The ScoreFollow us: TikTok:Album Mode:

en

62:33

Yeat's 'ADL' is nearly DOA | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/04/05

Démar and Adriel discuss Yeat's sixth studio album 'ADK' how his venture to the centre has hurt his sound and why normal doesn't work for Yeat.Timecodes05:59 Past Yeat Reviews9:00 Let King Kylie Talk12:45 2010s trap era18:52 The rapping is lacking22:48 Hip-Hop politics28:05 Yeat trying new things34:34 Swizz Beatz is back39:25 What I want45:39 What does ADL mean for Yeat’s career?51:51 The ScoreFollow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel:

en

51:54

underscores' 'U' is hyperpop's best written album |...

Album Mode ·

2026/03/27

Démar and Adriel discuss underscores' third studio album 'U' how shocking well written it is and whether her songs need transitions between them or just within.Timecodes3:34 What genre is this?5:35 Production9:00 The power of Dubstep14:43 The Peace17:50 Daft Punk mixed with Justin Timberlake?22:50 More on Hyperpop28:45 Bodyfeeling35:08 The cohesion39:03 Who should she collaborate with?42:36 The Cover46:06 The ScoreFollow us:TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel:

en

49:54

Jack Harlow's 'Monica' exceeds his body's limit | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/03/21

Démar and Adriel discuss Jack Harlow's fourth studio album, 'Monica', how he's doing what black hip hop fans say they want white artists to do, and how his artistry has exceeded his body.Timecodes1:47 Past Jack Harlow Reviews8:04 The internet jokes12:16 Four Rules for Monica12:35 Production16:57 New to Neosoul20:20 Using his tools26:26 Strong songwriting30:10 All My Friends32:02 Good for his career40:24 The Cover43:44 The ScoreListen to our Audio Podcast on Spotify:https://spoti.fi/40aOnbHListen to

en

50:32

Harry Styles 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally'...

Album Mode ·

2026/03/16

Démar and Adriel discuss Harry Styles' fourth studio album 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally' who he is as an artist 10 years after One Direction and whether he's just a watered down version of other British artists' aesthetics.The Love List: Aperture, Are You Listening Yet? Carla's Song Timecodes2:45 Past Reviews5:42 Aperture is the Intro10:10 Coming Up Roses is a Billie Eilish song12:05 Demar calls Harry Styles risk-averse20:10 Pop is not a pop song28:30 Lyrics38:45 What does it mean for his

en

52:30

Bruno Mars and "The Romantic" fall off | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/03/09

Démar and Adriel discuss Bruno Mars' fourth studio album 'The Romantic' how it is edgeless and how Bruno Mars' songwriting has suddenly fallen off a cliff.The Love List: Why You Wanna Fight?Timecodes:4:00 - First time hearing Bruno Mars9:38 - Favourite song from his catalogue14:10 - I Just Might21:53 - Cha Cha Cha24:55 - The Debt33:25 - Adriel compares Bruno Mars to Don Toliver39:39 - Biggest Fall44:50 - Album Cover47:00 - The Score=================================== Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode:

en

54:08

Baby Keem runs out of luck at the "Ca$ino" | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/03/07

Démar and Adriel discuss Baby Keem's sophmore album 'Ca$ino' how he's changed in the 5 years since his last project and how close his lyrics cut to the bone.The Love List: I am not a Lyricist, Good Flirts, Circus Circus Free$tyleTimecodes:4:55 The Melodic Blue6:30 The Next Generation of Rap14:40 Production17:45 Momo Boyd21:05 I am not a Lyricist26:19 Dramatic Girl29:35 Sex Appeal 35:25 Lyrics42:44 What does this mean for his career?44:15 The Cover49:16 The

en

69:02

Brent Faiyaz has lost his 'Icon' aesthetic | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/02/21

Démar and Adriel discuss Brent Faiyaz's latest album 'Icon' his misaligned aesthetic and him losing the grip on his songwriting.Timecodes: 3:26 Top 10 Albums of the Year:00 Past Brent Faiyaz Reviews12:30 Beauty Behind the Madness14:58 Two pop songs21:25 The World is Yours 28:25 Larger Than Life31:55 Positions era Ariana Grande39:40 Lyrics43:43 Concept Album49:15 What does icon mean for his career55:55 What does Brent do next?59:52 The Cover1:04:42 The Score=================================== Follow

en

85:04

J.Cole's "The Fall-Off" is a love letter in disguise...

Album Mode ·

2026/02/16

Démar and Adriel discuss J.Cole's final(?) album, The Fall-Off, whether he accomplished what he wanted in his career and if "The Fall-Off is Inevitable" is one of the best songs in hip hop history.Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10The Love List: The Fall-Off is Inevitable, The Villest, Bunce Road Blues, Poor ThangTimecodoes3:10 How Drake vs Kendrick affected The Fall Off10:49 The Fall Off lore16:45 The Fall Off is inevitable23:02 Disc 1 vs Disc 227:30 Future’s best features33:10

en

53:38

Don Toliver is high "OCTANE"

Album Mode ·

2026/02/10

Démar and Adriel discuss Don Toliver's latest album "OCTANE", whether his lyrics matter and how his melodies and production are second to none.Timecodes:4:18 4th time reviewing Don Toliver7:50 Best Feature10:30 ATM15:55 Falestto for Falsetto25:25 Potential features38:15 Where does he rank amongst his peers?45:21 Covers47:30 The ScoreFollow us:TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar:

en

40:17

Ari Lennox's "Vacancy" is renewed

Album Mode ·

2026/02/09

Démar and Adriel discuss Ari Lennox's latest album "Vacancy", her toned down lyrics and what a label switch can do for her moving forward.Follow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemiInstagram:Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/Twitter:Album Mode:

en

30:11

Drop January and J. Cole's "Fall-Off" begins

Album Mode ·

2026/02/01

It's apparently "Drop January" as a plethora of artists have annouce they have new projects coming up Déma rand Adriel talk about what that means for music this year. Also J. Cole released his first single for his upcoming album, "The Fall Off", Adriel tries to dodge the question but Démar asks how he feels about the rappers alleged end coming up.===================================Follow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel:

en

79:15

A$AP Rocky's "Don't Be Dumb" is aged wine | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2026/01/25

Démar and Adriel discuss A$AP Rocky's comeback album "Don't Be Dumb", whether he took too long to return and if his music is experimental anymore.Timecodes:2:00 The Kanye Zone6:18 1st A$AP Rocky Review11:55 Is LONG.LIVE.A$AP a classic album?15:45 TESTING24:04 Favourite Feature31:20 Moshpit energy39:46 A$AP Rocky vs The Discourse53:15 The mature version59: 00 Female Rappers with A$AP Rocky1:08:25 Cozy Tapes 31:09:52 The Cover1:13:27 The ScoreTikTok:Album Mode:

en

79:29

Album Mode's Top 10 Albums of 2025

Album Mode ·

2025/12/24

Finally the episode you've all been waiting for, Album Mode's top 10 albums of 2025! Adriel and Démar list their best albums of the year. After years of reviewing music together the duo divergence has become more obvious and this year's year-end list is evidence.P.S. Demar's Spotify listening age is 25, Adriel's is 45.TIMECODES:3:30 - A lot of albums that we did not review4:10 - Don’t Tap The Glass7:30 - West End Girl9:48 - Miley Cyrus supremacy15:55 - Yacht Rap16:49 - An Ambient Demo but good21:16

en

65:51

Esdeekid and everyone else you should know from 2025...

Album Mode ·

2025/12/13

Démar and Adriel discuss who popped off in 2025 that we're looking forward to their work in 2026.Timecodes1:10 The Criteria2:20 Esdeekid6:50 Timothee Chalamet11:38 Uzi mixed with Future12:48 Odeal18:25 Young Miko20:26 Similar to early Don Toliver24:36 Kwn31:23 The Black performative male32:10 Dijon40:35 Rebecca Black45:06 Not New/But Changing51:48 Spotify Wrapped54:17 The Dominance of Drake56:37 Spotify Listening Age1:00:03 Old year-end playlists===================================Follow us:

en

63:45

Summer Walker's "Finally Over It" is a feature fest|...

Album Mode ·

2025/11/26

Démar and Adriel discuss Summer Walker third studio album "Finally Over It", whether Aaliyah is the GOAT and the strength of the album's feautres.Démar’s rating: 7 / 10Adriel's rating: 7 / 10The Love List: Robbed You, No, Go Girl, Heart Of A Woman, BallerTimecodes:4:04 - Background on Summer Walker8:55 - The Singles9:49 - The influence of Aaliyah11:50 - What a Summer Walker song sounds like14:10 - Love for Doja Cat21:51 - Give Me A Reason30:13 - So Many Good Features34:48 - 1-800-Heartbreak38:58 -

en

54:20

Rosalia's 'Lux' is technically brilliant, but is that...

Album Mode ·

2025/11/16

Démar and Adriel discuss Rosalía's fourth studio album "LUX", its technical excellence and whether an album that's so orchestral can be considered pop.Follow us: TikTok:Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepodAdriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcomDémar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemiInstagram:Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/Twitter:Album Mode:

en

48:38

Dave's "The Boy Who Played the Harp" sometimes...

Album Mode ·

2025/11/03

Démar and Adriel discuss Dave's third studio album "The Boy Who Played the Harp", its abscence of drums and Dave's ability to make songs instead of poetry with a soundtrack.Démar’s rating: 6 / 10Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10The Love List: The Boy Who Played the Hard, No Weapons, SelfishTimecodes:3:00 - Adriel doesn’t like EPs5:58 - The tone of the album6:43 - Favourite feature12:50 - Where are the drums?16:10 - Demar calls ‘175 Months’ boring21:04 - Dave vs. Kendrick23:25 - The Outro27:10 - Dave’s

en

52:53

Tame Impala's "Deadbeat" Follows the Crowd | REVIEW

Album Mode ·

2025/10/24

Démar and Adriel discuss Tame Imala's fifth album "Deadbeat", how Tame Impala became a follower with is production and the decline of a once great artist.Démar’s rating: 5.5 / 10Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10The Love List: Dracula, Loser, Afterthought, My Old WaysTimecodes:2:44 - Have they ever been mainstream?3:58 - First time hearing Tame Impala8:50 - Adriel’s favourite song11:05 - Demar’s Dad cosigns14:17 - The Singles18:32 - Kevin Parker made a Drake song?20:50 - Afro House attempt24:30 - Best song

en

333 results

Similar Podcasts

Pasquale Maassen Soundcloud

Pasquale Maassen

Marian Klose

Marian Klose

sevenism

sevenism

Dean Delray"s LET THERE BE TALK

Cactus Radio Network

Word In Your Ear

Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold