# BrightFork #1: Heavy-Rotation Near-9s

Source: https://brightonxu.com/posts/en/2026-01-29-brightfork-1/

Author: Brighton (Yi Xu)
Published: 2026-01-29

Where the true musics lie?

Since issue #0 was about last year, this issue grades the albums I've always played heavily and subjectively love.

## Who is Kanye West? { .section-title }

**Kanye West — My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy** (2010) · Score: 10

Genre: Hip Hop

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/mbdtf.jpg)

Best track: Devil in a New Dress

In my heart it ranks almost equal to Close to the Edge — the only album that stands in a tier of its own, gap included. It can't really compete on tidiness, for sure, but in modern music it cuts through everything like a hot knife through butter.

**Devil in a New Dress** was made for listening beside the lake at night — that insane electric guitar solo. In that moment I'm a fusion of old money and jerk, raising a glass of red wine, gazing across the dinner table with rehearsed tenderness. I am the Sinya of 2021, calmly photographing a dozing Juyang at Portofino Pure Waterfront. I am the me of 2022 who ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■，■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■，but the one thing I can never be is the me left standing drained beside the lake at midnight, chased out by Yidan at closing time.

**Kanye West — The Life of Pablo** (2016) · Score: 9

Genre: Hip Hop

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/the-life-of-pablo.jpg)

Best track: Saint Pablo

**Kanye West — Graduation** (2007) · Score: 9

Genre: Hip Hop

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/graduation.jpg)

Best track: Flashing Lights

**Kanye West — Late Registration** (2005) · Score: 9

Genre: Hip Hop

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/late-registration.jpg)

Best track: Diamonds From Sierra Leone

How is it that everything I casually listed is this good? Can't be bothered to write more — let's just wholesale everyone a 9.

I say Kanye > Kendrick. All in favor? All opposed?

## Tier 1 { .section-title }

**Tyler, the Creator — IGOR** (2019) · Score: 9

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/igor.jpg)

Best track: IGOR'S THEME

**IGOR** - first time this wild boar got to taste the fine bran, and in experimental music of all places.

**King Crimson — In the Court of the Crimson King** (1969) · Score: 9

Genre: Progressive Rock

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/in-the-court-of-the-crimson-king.jpg)

Best track: In the Court of the Crimson King

**Big Red Face** - a classic. Possibly the most endlessly replayable prog album out there?

## Tier 2 { .section-title }

**Steve Lacy — Gemini Rights** (2022) · Score: 8

Genre: R&B

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/gemini-rights.jpg)

Best track: Mercury

**Gemini Rights** - earworm R&B...

**Black Country, New Road — Ants From Up There** (2022) · Score: 8

Genre: Indie Rock

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/ants-from-up-there.jpg)

Best track: The Place Where He Inserted the Blade

**Ants From Up There** - buy the single, get the album free. So where have BCNR fans been making their fortunes lately?

**Lana Del Rey — Norman Fucking Rockwell!** (2019) · Score: 8.5

Genre: Alternative

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/norman-fucking-rockwell.jpg)

Best track: Venice Bitch

**Norman Fucking Rockwell!** - woe to those who don't get it.

**Magdalena Bay — Imaginal Disk** (2024) · Score: 9

Genre: Synth-pop

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/imaginal-disk.jpg)

Best track: Cry for Me

**Imaginal Disk** - a trippy, imagination-sparking strain of synth-pop.

## Q&A { .section-title }

### --- Where is Radiohead？

Probably wholesale 8s, but not the "reach for anytime, anywhere" kind — there's a faint undercurrent of gloom and noise that doesn't suit daily rotation.

### --- Is that all?

This issue's picks are all the crowd-pleasers; next issue goes for the less-heard stuff. Gotta squeeze the toothpaste slowly, buzhi.

### --- Something feels missing?

Man, say that sooner!

**MC赵小六 — 新手另类** (2024) · Score: 11

Genre: Rap

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/xin-shou-lie-lei.jpg)

Best track: 弹舌

Everything before this was basically me listening to junk 🎧😭（true music🎵）

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**Stay tuned for BrightFork！**