Author: ChrisMundelz

Review of The 2026 Record Of The Year Grammy Nominees

This video titled “… Proof Music Getting Worse” by Rick Beato is pretty much what I’ve been saying here. I agree with just about everything he is saying here about music getting worse and the songs nominated for this year’s Album Of The Year Grammy. Watch the video here and see my recap of his review of each track nominated for Record Of The Year below:

Doechi – “Anxiety”

I don’t rate this song. It’s basically rip-off of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used to Know.” Even if I didn’t know that, I don’t like it as a pop song. One of the biggest reasons why music is so bad now is because of the AI-like ease of creating “mashup” songs like this, where anybody can put any vocals on any song they want.

Kendrick Lamar, SZA – “Luther”

I’m not arguing this being a candidate. I kinda disagree with Rick here. I do think this will go down as an R&B classic, it’s a pretty big notch on Kendrick Lamar’s legacy the fact that it’s showcasing his ability to perform a chart-topping R&B song.

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”

He described it as a “run-of-the-mill dance song.” I couldn’t agree more.

ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”

Yet another sample/interpolation of a throwback hit. It’s a super-catchy pop record to me if I’m being honest, but I get where he’s coming from saying it sounds like “a song for 5-year-olds” lol.

HUNTER/X – “GOLDEN”

This is a good electro K-pop song.

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

He described this song as “generic” and that is spot-on.

Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”

“This song is actually great” he said about this, and I agree.

Chappell Roan – “The Subway”

He excluded this one. This song does not appeal to me, this style of pop is not my cup of tea, but she does sound pretty nice here, so I can understand it’s nomination.

The main point is that, outside of the Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar tracks, these are all pretty generic and forgettable songs!

Review: Bad Bunny Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show

I’ve only known Bad Bunny for some of his Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop hits. So I was intrigued to see him perform live on the biggest American TV stage and evaluate it. It was a good show. Super fun upbeat Latin party vibes. He’s got a bag of hits. Featuring Lady Gaga was random, but interesting. It was fairly elegant by today’s standards. Nothing too tacky or edgy like some of the rumors about it suggested it would be. I think the the whole criticism of it being in Spanish was overblown. Latin music is more ingrained in pop culture today with it having such a huge global fanbase. Good vibes are good vibes. And ultimately, there really aren’t many homegrown American pop stars that have the catalog of hits, relevancy and popularity these days to perform at the Super Bowl halftime stage. So I give credit where credit is due.

Top 5 Indie R&B Tracks of 2025

I’ve listened to over 5,000 new music releases in 2024. These are my Top 5 favorite Indie R&B tracks of the year.

5. Dizzy Fae – “Magnify”

A talented star in the making. She has that cross-over R&B/Hip Hop/Pop similar to Doja Cat, but with more charm.

4. Mabel – “Right On Time”

Mabel. Don’t. Miss. She’s more known more for her pop hits, but this was a nice gem off the indie mixtape she put out over the summer. Back to the Indie R&B roots she debuted with 10 years ago. She is simply one of the best R&B singer/songwriters in the game.

3. Jordyn Simone, TA Thomas – “GREY”

I’m not the most lovey-dovey ballad guy in the world by any means, but this is a gorgeous duet. Easily one of the most chill and easiest on your ears tracks you will ever hear.

2. bLAck pARty – “Distant Lover”

Absolute quality. Probably the best love song I’ve heard in a couple years. What a melody. Dope album too.

1. Venna, Jorja Smith – “Myself”

Technically not indie, Jorja Smith is one of the best singers in the world, and Venna is a Grammy award winning musician. But this isn’t a mainstream radio song. It’s art. Real music. Timeless. If you told me this is one of the best songs you’ve ever heard, I wouldn’t argue!