Week 8

10/02/22

Saba - Few Good Things

Pretty much everything Saba has released in his catalogue thus far has been of the highest standard. Care For Me was a masterpiece and is not an easy album to follow. However, Saba delivers a very valiant effort with this project. The instrumentals, for the most part, match the calming and laid-back vibe that Saba has always executed to perfection. It really feels like this should have been released in the summer. Relaxing outside in the sunshine would have been a perfect setting for listening to this album. But, the fact that all these feelings can be created in the depth of winter is really a credit to Saba and the rest of Pivot Gang. There are also a couple of songs ('Survivor's Guilt' and 'Stop That') that have a more hard-hitting, 'banger' style. These songs are still great, whilst not necessarily fitting within the vibe of the album. Saba's rapping is still maintained at his usual, very high, level throughout this record. What amazes me the most is the multitude of different flows he employs, yet is still coherent in his bars. I also really love the introspection and family-orientated subject matter of a lot of this album. He manages to talk about his girl and child in an authentic and non-cringe manner, which is difficult for some (*cough* chance the rapper *cough*). I was worried about the sheer amount of features on this album as this is unusual for Saba. However, they all delivered in their own way and added to the feel of their respective song. Upon first listen, I only really picked up on the good vibes of the record. It is only with future listens that the depth of the lyrics and subjects really shone through. Every listen to this album is just so pleasant and refreshing; I cannot wait to see him live.

Favourite songs: Fearmonger, Come My Way, Still, a Simpler Time, Soldier, Stop That, Make Believe, 2012

Score: 9/10

Pusha T - Diet Coke

Pusha is back with, hopefully, a new album rollout, starting with this new single. Using a long-lost beat from '88 Keys', executively produced by Kanye, Pusha brings his usual 'stank-face' energy with his usual subject matter. The amount of different terms he uses to reference coke still astounds me. For real though, that piano beat with the male and female voice sample in the mix is insanely hard. Perfect for this style of rap; major 'Daytona' energy. And if that is the case, we are in for another classic. By no means is this his most lyrically dense song, but it is a certified banger that solidifies Pusha as being a man who can deliver whenever he is called upon. Most likely, it is a song to build hype, and it has definitely accomplished that goal.

Chris Patrick - Up Now

As far as 'lesser-known' rappers go, Chris Patrick is probably one of my favourites. He is usually a high-caliber rapper, but he does not really express that in this single. There is only one verse in which, to be fair, he delivers a fairly impressive (but standard for him) rapping performance. However, for the rest of the song, he goes for this melodic-trap/trap banger approach, which is not particularly to my taste, especially not coming from him. It doesn't sound bad, but it's not him. I expect subject matter, chill vibes, and impressive rapping from Chris Patrick, and I did not see enough of this in this song. To be fair, it is only one single and is most likely a 'banger' attempt, which is fine. My own excitement not being met is probably what leads to my disappointment, here. I hope he reverts back to his previous formula in future projects. I'm not mad at this song, it just isn't to my taste. 

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