OutKast's "Stankonia" 25th Anniversary Plus Opinions on Wet Leg and Pulp

This episode of Sound Opinions dives into fresh album reviews and a deep classic album dissection, centering on Outkast’s Stankonia at its 25th anniversary while also covering Wetleg’s Moisturizer and Pulp’s long-awaited More. The hosts break down how Stankonia pushed hip hop boundaries — speeding up tempos, embracing rave culture, and expanding lyrical subjects from parenthood to politics — and why songs like B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad), Ms. Jackson, and Toilet Tisha still resonate in 2025. They highlight the importance of Stankonia Studio (formerly Bobby Brown’s studio) as a creative lab where Organized Noize, Mr. DJ, André 3000, and Big Boi could experiment without time constraints. That freedom produced a sprawling, genre-blurring record that fused P-Funk, techno, gospel, and frenetic drums, influencing artists from Kendrick Lamar to Janelle Monáe and Frank Ocean. On the new releases front, Wetleg’s Moisturizer is evaluated as a well-crafted second album that expands the Isle of Wight duo into a convincing five-piece band. Produced by Dan Carey and mixed with help from Alan Moulder, the record keeps the sharp lyrical wit of Ryan Teasdale while trading some of the debut’s rawness for a more polished, expansive sound. Highlights include blunt love songs and barroom anthems like “CPR” and “Catch These Fists,” balanced by a few tracks the hosts find too conventional. Pulp’s More marks the Sheffield band’s return after 24 years, produced by James Ford. Jarvis Cocker’s observational lyricism and theatrical delivery remain intact, with songs like “Got to Have Love” and “My Sex” blending wry humor and contemporary gender commentary. Candida Doyle’s synth work is singled out for helping the album feel both nostalgic and timely, and listeners who loved Pulp’s 90s era are likely to find this comeback deeply satisfying. Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize production details — reversed bongo drums on Ms. Jackson, the high BPM of B.O.B., and the creative interplay between band personas — as keys to why these records matter. They also touch on criticism: album length and skits on Stankonia, a couple of weaker tracks on Moisturizer, and the theatrical, sometimes divisive nature of Pulp’s songwriting. The conversation ties these elements back to influence: how studio ownership, cross-genre curiosity, and lyrical risk-taking helped set templates for modern R&B, experimental pop, and southern hip hop. Whether you’re searching for an in-depth Stankonia analysis, a Wetleg Moisturizer review, or a Pulp More album breakdown, this episode blends music criticism, historical context, and production insight to explain why these records matter and how they continue shaping artists and scenes today.