Album Mode

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 Reviews 12:30 Beauty Behind the Madness 14:58 Two pop songs 21:25 The World is Yours 28:25 Larger Than Life 31:55 Positions era Ariana Grande 39:40 Lyrics 43:43 Concept Album 49:15 What does icon mean for his career 55:55 What does Brent do next? 59:52 The Cover 1:04:42 The Score =================================== Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Démar’s rating: 6 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6 / 10 The Love List: four season., wrong faces., other side.

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 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10 The Love List: The Fall-Off is Inevitable, The Villest, Bunce Road Blues, Poor Thang Timecodoes 3:10 How Drake vs Kendrick affected The Fall Off 10:49 The Fall Off lore 16:45 The Fall Off is inevitable 23:02 Disc 1 vs Disc 2 27:30 Future’s best features 33:10 Reasonable Doubt comparisons 37:15 Dreary Keys on the back half of Disc 2 39:37 I Love Her Again 48:14 Lyrics 54:26 Poor Thang 1:02:45 Double Disc Supremacy 1:04:05 The Cover 1:09:10 The Scores Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== J. Cole - The Fall-Off / 2026 / Hip Hop, Rap

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 Toliver 7:50 Best Feature 10:30 ATM 15:55 Falestto for Falsetto 25:25 Potential features 38:15 Where does he rank amongst his peers? 45:21 Covers 47:30 The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 9 / 10 The Love List: Call Back, ATM, E85, Body, Rendezvous , K9 Don Toliver - Octane / 2026 / Hip Hop, R&B

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/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8.5 / 10 The Love List: Under The Moon, Twin Flame, Dreaming, High Key Ari Lennox - Vacancy / 2026 / R&B

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: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant ===================================

Démar and Adriel discuss A$AP Rocky's comeback album "Don't Be Dumb", whether he took too long to return and if his music is experimental anymore. Timecodes: 2:00 The Kanye Zone 6:18 1st A$AP Rocky Review 11:55 Is LONG.LIVE.A$AP a classic album? 15:45 TESTING 24:04 Favourite Feature 31:20 Moshpit energy 39:46 A$AP Rocky vs The Discourse 53:15 The mature version 59: 00 Female Rappers with A$AP Rocky 1:08:25 Cozy Tapes 3 1:09:52 The Cover 1:13:27 The Score TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8 / 10 The Love List: STAY HERE 4 LIFE, WHISKEY, ROBBERY, STOLE YA FLOW A$AP Rocky - Don't Be Dumb / 2026 / Alternative Hip Hop, Rap

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 review 4:10 - Don’t Tap The Glass 7:30 - West End Girl 9:48 - Miley Cyrus supremacy 15:55 - Yacht Rap 16:49 - An Ambient Demo but good 21:16 - What genre is this? 24:04 - Demar wants the Naomi Campbell album 29:06 - Chainz revival 38:00 - One of the best albums of the decade 43:10 - Comeback Album of the Year 48:12 - Feels like a racing game 52:25 - The Best of Wale 56:00 - One of the Greatest Rappers of all Time 01:01:39 - The Longest No Skips Album 01:06:05 - Two or Three listens a day for Demar’s Number One 1:11:01 - Honourable Mentions Follow us: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@AlbumMode TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant Démar’s Top 10: Adriel's Top 10:

Démar and Adriel discuss who popped off in 2025 that we're looking forward to their work in 2026. Timecodes 1:10 The Criteria 2:20 Esdeekid 6:50 Timothee Chalamet 11:38 Uzi mixed with Future 12:48 Odeal 18:25 Young Miko 20:26 Similar to early Don Toliver 24:36 Kwn 31:23 The Black performative male 32:10 Dijon 40:35 Rebecca Black 45:06 Not New/But Changing 51:48 Spotify Wrapped 54:17 The Dominance of Drake 56:37 Spotify Listening Age 1:00:03 Old year-end playlists =================================== Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant ===================================

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 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7 / 10 The Love List: Robbed You, No, Go Girl, Heart Of A Woman, Baller Timecodes: 4:04 - Background on Summer Walker 8:55 - The Singles 9:49 - The influence of Aaliyah 11:50 - What a Summer Walker song sounds like 14:10 - Love for Doja Cat 21:51 - Give Me A Reason 30:13 - So Many Good Features 34:48 - 1-800-Heartbreak 38:58 - Savage the 21st 47:25 - Go Girl 50:20 - The Cover 59:04 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Summer Walker - Finally Over It / 2025 / R&B

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/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Démar’s rating: 5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6 / 10 The Love List: Reliquia, Divinize, Berghain, Memória

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 / 10 Adriel's rating: 7.5 / 10 The Love List: The Boy Who Played the Hard, No Weapons, Selfish Timecodes: 3:00 - Adriel doesn’t like EPs 5:58 - The tone of the album 6:43 - Favourite feature 12:50 - Where are the drums? 16:10 - Demar calls ‘175 Months’ boring 21:04 - Dave vs. Kendrick 23:25 - The Outro 27:10 - Dave’s relatability 30:35 - Introspection is his best skill 34:03 - Fairchild 41:06 - The Cover 43:45 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp/ 2025 / rap, hip hop, uk rap

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 / 10 Adriel's rating: 5.5 / 10 The Love List: Dracula, Loser, Afterthought, My Old Ways Timecodes: 2:44 - Have they ever been mainstream? 3:58 - First time hearing Tame Impala 8:50 - Adriel’s favourite song 11:05 - Demar’s Dad cosigns 14:17 - The Singles 18:32 - Kevin Parker made a Drake song? 20:50 - Afro House attempt 24:30 - Best song on the project 31:30 - Dracula 36:20 - Lyrics 40:50 - Loser 47:40 - The Cover 48:50 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Tame Impala - Deadbeat / 2025 / electronic, dance, afro house

Démar and Adriel discuss Khalid's fourth studio album "after the sun goes down", his lack of vocal colour and whether his simplistic pop lyrics are a negative. Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 4 / 10 The Love List: medicine, nah, nobody (make me feel), impulsive Timecodes: 2:20 - Technically still very popular 4:18 - Past Khalid Reviews 8:44 - Demar compares ‘True’ to Kidz Bop 9:50 - R&B Khalid 13:20 - ‘Rendezvous’ 16:48 - Reminds me of… 22:44 - Lyrics 28:45 - What this means for his career 34:30 - The Cover 38:00 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Khalid - after the sun goes down / 2025 / pop, R&B

The Father of Neo Soul has passed, Adriel and Demar discuss how important he is, why so many different artists are mourning him and how boundless his influence has become in modern music. Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant ===================================

Diddy has escaped the RICO charges but that doesn't mean he's gone unscathed. Also, the duo breakdown the Nicki and Cardi B beef, hip hop is ahead of the "head bitch" archetype but does Nicki know that? Keep it locked here on Album Mode. Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant ===================================

Démar and Adriel discuss Taylor Swift's latest album "The Life of a Showgirl", how Taylor's songwriting has collapsed and why she's chasing the people that she's influenced. Démar’s rating: 2.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 4 / 10 The Love List: The Fate of Ophelia, Ruin the Friendship Timecodes: 1:39 - Is the fandom bigger than the music? 7:22 - Past Taylor Swift reviews 13:30 - Fate of Ophelia 16:56 - Actually Romantic 28:56 - Pop music in 2025 30:18 - Honey feels desperate 34:44 - Too much ‘stomp/clap’ 39:48 - Ruin the Friendship 45:35 - Lyrics 50:45 - The Most Offensive Track 1:07:17 - Wishlist 1:12:30 - Is Adriel a Swiftie now? 1:18:15 - Worst album since Reputation 1:21:41 - The Cover 1:27:58 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl / 2025 / pop, pop punk

Démar and Adriel discuss Doja Cat's latest album "Vie", how her singing might have eclipsed her rapping and Janet Jackson's indelible influence on her music. Démar’s rating: 8.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8 / 10 The Love List: Cards, Jealous Type, Take Me Dancing, Acts of Service, Gorgeous, All Mine Timecodes: 3:03 - Last Doja Car Review 7:30 - Best at Pop Rap 8:36 - Démar compares Doja Cat to Kyrie Irving 14:03 - Unpacking Jack Antonoff 22:12 - Adriel calls the album ‘Timeless’ 26:34 - Lyrics 28:27 - ‘Take Me Dancing’ 31:54 - Earl Sweatshirt featuring Doja Cat 35:30 - Sidequest album 38:49 - The Cover 40:42 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Doja Cat - Vie / 2025 / hip hop, rap, pop rap, pop, R&B

Démar and Adriel discuss Cardi B's latest studio album "AM I THE DRAMA?", how her bars dance on the line of funny and vicious and why she seems to not care about album cohesion. Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6.5 / 10 The Love List: Hello, Magnet, Pick It Up, Better Than You, Principal, Imaginary Playerz Timecodes: 2:37 - Démar's Favourite Cardi B verse of all time 8:16 - Bodak Yellow was cool 12:55 - Invasion of Privacy 15:15 - Ranking all-time female MCs 23:39 - Imaginary Playerz 27:46 - What’s Going On with Lizzo and Cardi B 37:10 - Best feature on the album 45:24 - Lyrics 1:00:37 - Cardi B is still Cardi B 1:02:29 - The Cover 1:06:20 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Cardi B - AM I THE DRAMA? / 2025 / hip hop, rap, R&B, pop

Démar and Adriel discuss Earl Sweatshirt's latest studio album "Live Laugh Love", Earl's unorthodox song structures and whether his complexity is worth it for a regular music listener. Démar’s rating: 7 / 10 Adriel's rating: 6 / 10 The Love List: FORGE, WELDONE!, CRISCO, TOURMALINE, exhaust Timecodes: 01:35 - Demar is down on Earl 4:59 - FREE EARL 8:52 - An album with no singles 11:35 - Adriel's favourite Earl song 15:28 - Production on Gamma 21:16 - Is Static a Drill song? 33:31 - Demar on Earl abandoning the songs 39:00 - Lyrics on Crisco are genius level 45:34 - Onelongrunonsentence 50:20 - What does this mean for his career? 57:19 - No Skips? 58:16 - The Cover 59:06 - The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Earl Sweatshirt - Live Laugh Love / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop

Démar and Adriel discuss Chance the Rapper's second studio album "STAR LINE", whether it's the comeback album of the year and how Chance the Rapper is underrated as a songwriter. Démar’s rating: 7.5 / 10 Adriel's rating: 8 / 10 The Love List: Gun In Yo Purse, Back To The Go, The Negro Problem, Ride, No More Old Men Timecodes: 4:37 The Big Day 8:25 The Success of Coloring Book 16:35 Favorite Chance song? 23:40 How bad was Hot Shower? 28:29 A song only Chance could make 32:51 Demar doesn't think Chance is tough 35:15 Chance the Singer 43:00 Chance's Kendrick Lamar impression 48:22 Lyrics 53:20 The Negro Problem 1:02:26 Comeback Album of the Year 1:07:04 The Score Follow us: TikTok: Album Mode: https://www.tiktok.com/@albummodepod Adriel: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrielsmileydotcom Démar: https://www.tiktok.com/@godkingdemi Instagram: Album Mode: https://www.instagram.com/albummodepod/ Adriel: https://www.instagram.com/adrielsmileydotcom/ Démar: https://www.instagram.com/demarjgrant/ Twitter: Album Mode: https://twitter.com/AlbumModepod Adriel: https://twitter.com/AdrielSmiley_ Démar: https://twitter.com/DemarJGrant =================================== Chance the Rapper - STAR LINE / 2025 / hip hop, rap, alternative hip hop