It's all about drive, Its about power, W-alright I'll stop. You miss me? I had personal life shit going on, getting kicked out of my roommates and moving back to my folks. Also after the crazy week, we had with Drake and Ye, I really needed a break. Writer's block was another problem too. A bunch of albums dropped since I last wrote and while I'm not going to write about EVERY album that I listened to, I'm gonna write the ones that stuck on to me. So this will be a long but also short review of those albums here today. I won't include pictures cause I think my computer has enough space for that ha.
Tenth Anniversary of LIVE.LOVE.A$AP: Rocky's debut mixtape has finally streaming and, it does still hold up. It does suck few things were edited, SGP was removed from purple swag, and two tracks didn't make the cut due to sample clearance. Sandman was added to an album as a bonus track, it is is solid, He previewed the track earlier in case you're wondering. It's a nice teaser whenever he drops his next album. It brought good but also bad memories I had back when I first heard this back in high school. I remember everyone saying "Trilla" and "Swag" and those goofy shoes where the shoelaces were bones. In my opinion, I still feel this is Rocky's best project, mainly cause this still holds up and production was the main reason. Clams Casino should get his flowers if he hasn't already. Rocky after this been up and down for me but I still tune into what he does cause he a legend in my eyes since he came up in my youth. I just hope the new album is a lot better than Testing.
Re-Release Faces by Mac Miller: Another mixtape that feels like it came out a decade ago but 7 years ago in between his sessions of Watching Movies and GOOD AM, the late and great Mac Miller released Faces. I remember going through a phase of experimenting in my early 20's and drinking heavily (still drinking heavily) described that time in my life. Mac has said himself he was another planet when he made this. Faces did hit streaming and, it's still up there as my favorite in his catalog. It's eerie listening to this now since Mac is no longer here with us, songs like "Wedding" "Funeral", and "Happy Birthday" hits my soul, I teared up. The mixtape did have a few samples issues. Most of the movies samples didn't make the cut. Also diablo had to be redone, I think it's better than the released version. I could gush about this mixtape all day but if you haven't listened to this, I would suggest checking this out.
Punk by Young Thug: I wanted to like this album but I was disappointed with this. the teasers on NPR tiny desk were solid so I had hoped this could be like BTG but it wasn't. I think the album starts strong but it starts losing focus on what type of album it wants to be, also don't wanna be that guy but it needs to be addressed. I thought for an album called "Punk", I thought it would've had more of a punk element to it. If it was the tracks were similar to the tiny desk show he teased and cut the fat, I would've enjoyed this more. It does have standout songs but yeah.
to hell with it by PinkPantheress: The best 18 minutes I've had. Sure, we've heard these songs already here but It's good shit pal. This is up there with the album of the year with me. I am enjoying this wave of this sound right now, it reminds me of old sega games.
Blue Banisters by Lana Del Rey: Lana has been on a hot streak for me since 2017 and I thought that run was continued here but nope. It just sounds like tracks that should've stayed in the vault. The whole album feels cluttered and slapped together being held by glue and duct tape. Dealer is a good fucking song I'll say but when I listen to this I was mainly tuning out. The album she dropped early in the year, I didn't care for that at first but I've grown with that. It does have to do with me not caring for this new one here. It's fine though, all the good ones have their off days.
Ghosts with Skin by Corbin: Hey, you're back! I've been a fan of dude when he went under a different name so I was shocked to hear he came back again with a new album on Halloween. He still got it after all these years, the feelings did hit. his voice has changed a bit but he still got great vocal range. Lyrically is what you expect from him if you're familiar with him. I was making up some scenarios in my head while the stuff he was singing did happen to him when I did go outside. I want this man to find him the one finally (I do too). Tell Me and Mask It to the Casket stood out to me the most. It's still sad boy season.
volcanic bird enemy and the voiced concern by Lil Ugly Mane: Another artist I was surprised to see pop up again. Ugly Mane has dropped music under different names, he was even in a defunct rap trio for a bit. It's always hard to keep up with what he's doing since he's all over the place with music. So to see him return under his original name is pretty exciting. He's mainly rapper/producer but.....things were different here. I'm not sure what the genre is but he's mainly singing and the whole album is pretty depressing in the lyrics. One track he describes dealing with being hurt by someone and how he addict Benadryl to cope. The whole album theme is him dealing and talking about the relationships he has been in and how he copes in different ways and man, it's just sad. I hope he's ok. It's impressive how he blends genres and how it becomes his style. His sample game is insane, he has good ears. His writing has improved too, very poetic. His vocals ain't that good but it's not bad either, I think the theme of the tracks fits his singing voice on how low and moody it can be. Also, the album cover describes the album well enough.
LP! by JPEGMAFIA: His best work to date. I prefer the offline version, the tracklist is rearranged, a few different production changes, and gets two extra songs. It flows better than the official version. Peggy crafts his sounds that have been doing with his EP's from this year and also the sound he was known for. It's such an odd record how he mixes sounds from rap to rock but it's a catchy record. Peggy is a weirdo but he can make some great shit.
Bin Reaper 2 by BabyTron: I think Luka Tronic was much better. The mixing on this mixtape is spotty as fuck, it's too long, I tuned out halfway through. It does have a few standout tracks like the intro and outro cause of the movie samples. Miles Bridges feature was pretty dope, the best NBA rapper right now and Yatchy did his thing. Fine mixtape, just not crazy about it.
Yellow Tape 2 by Key Glock: I have a few gripes with this, length, could've used a couple of features like Dolph but I enjoyed this. Glock has great with beats, the people who help craft his albums do a great job with finding what works with him. Has very high energy, he flows great, its bump in the whip music. I wish people would listen cause he's one of my favorites from the southern rap scene. I think he will get that breakout record soon.
TWO POINT FIVE by Amine: Amine drops a sequel to the mixtape of a similar name, This one's a lot shorter clocking barley at 25 minutes, this was a fun listen. I do feel like the songs are half-baked and rough drafts but they are catchy and work in a short length of time. You can tell he was on some shrooms making this mixtape, quirky feelings with what he was trying to do here. I am curious if he should stick to rapping or singing, he's good at both but I wish he can stick to one. It's odd to listen at first, especially in a sober mind state, it is a fun journey overall. I think it would different if it came out in the summer and not the holiday season.
Still Over It by Summer Walker: I have made fun of her and I think she's a giant airhead but I was surprised how good this record is. As a man I felt like dogshit, I need to do better. Clocking in over an hour, I wasn't tuned out. It flows well. My favorite track is the one she did with Neptune's, I would like to hear more on that style of production. I do think it is funny that London on da Track handles most of the production here but she's talking mad shit on him on how he was a bad boyfriend. Boss girl move.
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