About a year ago, I "reviewed" this album. At the time a lot of shit was happening with the artist known as Ye fka Kanye West. The antics at this time were legit insane and concerning, so bad in fact, the most delusional fans of his and collaborators finally decided enough was enough. I didn't even want to listen to his old music cause I knew I'd be sad. Like what happened? Why did he go off this deep end of hatred and bigotry? Why couldn't he take his meds? Fast forward to now. He took his meds, did medical and mental therapy, "wrote" two public letters of apology and asking for forgiveness, and even did a video with a rabbi.
Stories came out that from people who was still rocking with him that he was more mellow, calmer, and self-aware of how much damage and pain he did to his loved ones, the black community, his former friends, and fans. In a way, I felt both relieved and optimistic. Felt performative, especially with this album actually getting an official release around the time the letters came out. No AI vocals too. I know there's been chatter it's still there in some of the productions, which I'll admit I couldn't really tell beside the song "Circles", that shit sounded rough and mixed badly. Vocals seemed super off-putting. Anyways, I don't want to get too sidetracked here cause I don't want to ramble on and on about him, I just want to talk about the album. In a sense, I didn't wanna listen to this, curiosity got the best of me.
I honestly don't have much to say about this record cause I already repeated this in the past review, sort of, but I'll say some of the new material we got from this is.....fine. They're flashes of old Ye or Kanye of the 00's and even the 2010's. This whole album is legit the definition of that South Park Member Berries gag, which isn't that much a bad thing depending what you looking for. Songs like "PUNCH DRUNK", "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST", or "WHATEVER WORKS" have the old chipmunk vocal which I have a soft spot for. "PREACHER MAN" sounds like a "The Life of Pablo" leftover, which is maybe my favorite song on this. I just wish the awkward mixing was fixed, it's such a weird moment when it starts quietly, the hook comes in and suddenly the song and vocals get loud, it's a weird transition. "ALL THE LOVE" has a blend of "808's" meets "YEEZUS", songs even have blends of that gospel album attempt and "DONDA 1".
I think my biggest gripe with this is that the rapping is bland, hollow, and a bit boring. Nothing really stood out, maybe a line or two did here or there, talking asking for forgiveness and his faith. Performances at times sound kind of bland and subdued. Like obviously I don't want him to go off the deep end again and say outlandish shit or something where I'm going to keep rolling my eyes at like I did with his past albums in the decade alone. I think of him just singing or rapping of him going "Remember this era of my music?!" Is the reason I'm not in love with or like the record as much as certain peers of mine? I just wish he would've put more effort, emotion, and pride into these songs cause something is there with these tracks but some of them just felt short and fall flat. I think the reason why I keep going back and forth listening to this album is mainly the production. I'll say he still got it on that front with some of the sample choices. So when you see my favorite tracks being picked here is mainly for that reason and also I felt the performances were at passable at best.
The features on this are mostly, just there. Which sucks cause Ye is known for being one of the best curators when it comes to the music shit but alas, you already know. Travis Scott was fine, just felt he could've stood out more for a song like "FATHER". CeeLo Green's appearance was legit laughable, Andre Troutman did well, I did wish his feature on "WHITE LINES" was better, god that mixing needs work on the next patch note update. Peso Pluma song? LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Yeah no.
My final thoughts, I am indifferent about this with a lot of mixed emotions. At times I feel nostalgic and hopeful, maybe he is back. Like how does he do it every time after each arc of his crazy antics? Another part of me feels depressed and hollow, like is he really washed for good? This is the best he can give us? I think if this album had done more of his records of the past where he was trying new sounds, styles, and more interesting artists' appearances I would've maybe enjoyed this album more. As it stands, I think it's a step in the right direction but the album is mediocre, not his worst album, and in a way his best album in a while, which is a sad thing to say, and thinking about it now. Can't wait for the Ye Rage gospel album next with 2Slimey and Keith Franklin.
Favorite Tracks: PREACHER MAN, KING, FATHER, PUNCH DRUNK, WHATEVER WORKS, HIGH AND LOWS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALL THE LOVE
Least Favorite Tracks: CIRCLES, WHITE LINES
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