Mark Grondin
@spectrum-pulse.ca
Canadian author and critic. On YouTube. Strategist elsewhere. Metamodernist punk. Postmodern audiophile. He/him. If you know you know. Host of Spectrum Pulse. https://www.spectrum-pulse.ca/
Pinned
fka twigs - Eusexua Afterglow - #albumreview
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtube.com
fka twigs drops a sequel album and it is more consistent... but does that make it better?
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
Reposted by Mark Grondin
Alright, Danny Brown's venture into hyperpop... I have thoughts. Largely positive, but thoughts nonetheless.
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
Danny Brown - Stardust - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Alright, Danny Brown's venture into hyperpop... I have thoughts. Largely positive, but thoughts nonetheless.
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
I've realized since getting married I have way less incentive to post random thoughts on social media - turns out my partner is a way better conversationalist :)
November 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I've realized since getting married I have way less incentive to post random thoughts on social media - turns out my partner is a way better conversationalist :)
Alright, Billboard BREAKDOWN is late, but I have to talk about AI, ROSALIA, Kehlani, and Cody Johnson covering 'Travelin' Soldier'.
What I'm saying is that it's a lot - enjoy! youtu.be/h9VhcthLQw8
What I'm saying is that it's a lot - enjoy! youtu.be/h9VhcthLQw8
Billboard BREAKDOWN - Hot 100 - Nov. 22, 2025 (Travelin' Soldier, La Perla, Past Won't Leave My Bed)
YouTube video by Billboard BREAKDOWN
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Alright, Billboard BREAKDOWN is late, but I have to talk about AI, ROSALIA, Kehlani, and Cody Johnson covering 'Travelin' Soldier'.
What I'm saying is that it's a lot - enjoy! youtu.be/h9VhcthLQw8
What I'm saying is that it's a lot - enjoy! youtu.be/h9VhcthLQw8
So about the cover of 'Travelin' Soldier' by Cody Johnson... you can't escape the paratext of what the Chicks' cover was and meant in its time. It gets political by necessity.
But also... this song should not be sung from a man's perspective, and I include Bruce Robison's original?
But also... this song should not be sung from a man's perspective, and I include Bruce Robison's original?
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
So about the cover of 'Travelin' Soldier' by Cody Johnson... you can't escape the paratext of what the Chicks' cover was and meant in its time. It gets political by necessity.
But also... this song should not be sung from a man's perspective, and I include Bruce Robison's original?
But also... this song should not be sung from a man's perspective, and I include Bruce Robison's original?
Reposted by Mark Grondin
cupcakKe delivers on her formula yet again, and it's what you'd expect and a lot of fun... if you like that sort of thing.
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
cupcakKe - The BakKery - #albumreview
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
cupcakKe delivers on her formula yet again, and it's what you'd expect and a lot of fun... if you like that sort of thing.
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
I think I'd like this Rochelle Jordan album a lot more if the mastering didn't make my good headphones twinge with pain on every song.
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I think I'd like this Rochelle Jordan album a lot more if the mastering didn't make my good headphones twinge with pain on every song.
Reposted by Mark Grondin
This is a really excellent piece, and an incredibly damning look at not just this mess of stupidity but journalism as a whole right now
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
This is a really excellent piece, and an incredibly damning look at not just this mess of stupidity but journalism as a whole right now
Apparently Billboard didn't update until the past hour - ergo, the episode is coming out tomorrow evening when I have time to write and produce it.
I'm not ruining my evening because Billboard can't get their shit together.
I'm not ruining my evening because Billboard can't get their shit together.
Billboard BREAKDOWN looks to be delayed until Wednesday courtesy of Billboard internal delays.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Apparently Billboard didn't update until the past hour - ergo, the episode is coming out tomorrow evening when I have time to write and produce it.
I'm not ruining my evening because Billboard can't get their shit together.
I'm not ruining my evening because Billboard can't get their shit together.
fka twigs drops a sequel album and it is more consistent... but does that make it better?
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
fka twigs - Eusexua Afterglow - #albumreview
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:56 PM
fka twigs drops a sequel album and it is more consistent... but does that make it better?
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
My short review of 'Eusexua Afterglow' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/gsW2_...
Reposted by Mark Grondin
...yeah, I really wanted to be higher on this Armand Hammer / Alchemist collab, but despite great bars, there might be deeper issues here.
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
Armand Hammer & Alchemist - Mercy - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
...yeah, I really wanted to be higher on this Armand Hammer / Alchemist collab, but despite great bars, there might be deeper issues here.
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
Billboard BREAKDOWN looks to be delayed until Wednesday courtesy of Billboard internal delays.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Billboard BREAKDOWN looks to be delayed until Wednesday courtesy of Billboard internal delays.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
My guess is that it has something to do with that AI song that would have charted, but these days, who the hell knows.
Alright, Danny Brown's venture into hyperpop... I have thoughts. Largely positive, but thoughts nonetheless.
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
Danny Brown - Stardust - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Alright, Danny Brown's venture into hyperpop... I have thoughts. Largely positive, but thoughts nonetheless.
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
My review of 'Stardust' - enjoy! youtu.be/FkTSlJD3KCg
Reposted by Mark Grondin
The new Hatchie album feels like a return to her core sound, and there's some intriguing themes... really wish I liked it more?
My short review of 'Liquorice' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/KPuoa...
My short review of 'Liquorice' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/KPuoa...
Hatchie - Liquorice - #albumreview
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The new Hatchie album feels like a return to her core sound, and there's some intriguing themes... really wish I liked it more?
My short review of 'Liquorice' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/KPuoa...
My short review of 'Liquorice' - enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/KPuoa...
I pick the Seahawks against the Rams and IMMEDIATELY Sam Darnold throws four interceptions.
Well, you can't pick all of them.
Well, you can't pick all of them.
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I pick the Seahawks against the Rams and IMMEDIATELY Sam Darnold throws four interceptions.
Well, you can't pick all of them.
Well, you can't pick all of them.
Reposted by Mark Grondin
It's here, and a little short - new episode of Billboard BREAKDOWN. It goes places, enjoy! youtu.be/QpitMdQAum4
Billboard BREAKDOWN - Hot 100 - November 15, 2025 (Come N Go, Berghain, Everybody Scream)
YouTube video by Billboard BREAKDOWN
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
It's here, and a little short - new episode of Billboard BREAKDOWN. It goes places, enjoy! youtu.be/QpitMdQAum4
Reposted by Mark Grondin
Sup Patrons, schedule's live www.patreon.com/posts/143662...
Spectrum Pulse - Schedule Voting - 2025 - #40 | Mark Grondin
Get more from Mark Grondin on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Sup Patrons, schedule's live www.patreon.com/posts/143662...
cupcakKe delivers on her formula yet again, and it's what you'd expect and a lot of fun... if you like that sort of thing.
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
cupcakKe - The BakKery - #albumreview
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
cupcakKe delivers on her formula yet again, and it's what you'd expect and a lot of fun... if you like that sort of thing.
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
My short review of 'The BakKery', enjoy! youtube.com/shorts/lFuTS...
Reposted by Mark Grondin
I've started work on year-end lists early (just relistening to stuff and getting my personal order somewhat organized), and nothing feels simultaneously more buoyant and enervating than knowing I'll have about three albums on my top TEN Uproxx ballot that will not be shared by anyone.
November 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I've started work on year-end lists early (just relistening to stuff and getting my personal order somewhat organized), and nothing feels simultaneously more buoyant and enervating than knowing I'll have about three albums on my top TEN Uproxx ballot that will not be shared by anyone.
My most woke opinion?
Not only should gender-affirming care be universally accessible and as free as possible - what worth does a society have when it cares naught for its people - but so many treatments cis folks seek out ARE gender-affirming care.
The big one for me? Hair loss treatments.
Not only should gender-affirming care be universally accessible and as free as possible - what worth does a society have when it cares naught for its people - but so many treatments cis folks seek out ARE gender-affirming care.
The big one for me? Hair loss treatments.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
My most woke opinion?
Not only should gender-affirming care be universally accessible and as free as possible - what worth does a society have when it cares naught for its people - but so many treatments cis folks seek out ARE gender-affirming care.
The big one for me? Hair loss treatments.
Not only should gender-affirming care be universally accessible and as free as possible - what worth does a society have when it cares naught for its people - but so many treatments cis folks seek out ARE gender-affirming care.
The big one for me? Hair loss treatments.
Reposted by Mark Grondin
I want to know less about people
November 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I want to know less about people
Reposted by Mark Grondin
I really wish that albums feeling 'apropos to the times' didn't so consistently reflect THIS mood.
Nevertheless, Florence + The Machine just released the appropriately titled 'Everybody Scream'. It's excellent, and again, apropos. My review: youtu.be/ixsHKeFMHc0
Nevertheless, Florence + The Machine just released the appropriately titled 'Everybody Scream'. It's excellent, and again, apropos. My review: youtu.be/ixsHKeFMHc0
Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
I really wish that albums feeling 'apropos to the times' didn't so consistently reflect THIS mood.
Nevertheless, Florence + The Machine just released the appropriately titled 'Everybody Scream'. It's excellent, and again, apropos. My review: youtu.be/ixsHKeFMHc0
Nevertheless, Florence + The Machine just released the appropriately titled 'Everybody Scream'. It's excellent, and again, apropos. My review: youtu.be/ixsHKeFMHc0
...yeah, I really wanted to be higher on this Armand Hammer / Alchemist collab, but despite great bars, there might be deeper issues here.
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
Armand Hammer & Alchemist - Mercy - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
...yeah, I really wanted to be higher on this Armand Hammer / Alchemist collab, but despite great bars, there might be deeper issues here.
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
My review of 'Mercy' - enjoy! youtu.be/wtJ6dMspM98
Reposted by Mark Grondin
I really wish I liked the first 'Sanguivore' album from Creeper more... so here's the sequel that's heavier, wilder, and just better all around!
My review of 'Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death' - enjoy! youtu.be/I0MZRwpkud4
My review of 'Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death' - enjoy! youtu.be/I0MZRwpkud4
Creeper - Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death - Album Review
YouTube video by Spectrum Pulse
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I really wish I liked the first 'Sanguivore' album from Creeper more... so here's the sequel that's heavier, wilder, and just better all around!
My review of 'Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death' - enjoy! youtu.be/I0MZRwpkud4
My review of 'Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death' - enjoy! youtu.be/I0MZRwpkud4