Week 14

31/08/2022

JID - The Forever Story

Damn, this album is so good. The highly anticipated album from rapper, singer (?) and flow-extraordinaire: JID is finally here and what a rollercoaster it is. I feel like I need to start with the obvious, and that's JID's ridiculous rapping ability. I don't think anyone in this generation of hip hop can flow and rhyme like JID can. The guy finds pockets in beats that weren't designed to have that many pockets. His multi-syllabic schemes stretching across multiple bars are a joy to listen to and dissect. Stank faces all round. This was something I expected a lot of coming in to this album. What I did not expect was the amount of vulnerability and openness from JID in the subject matter. He touches on his upbringing, playing football in college and relationships with family and women. I learnt so much about JID's life and him as a person through listening to this album. I love when an album has multiple layers, and that's what JID emphasises here. He is not just a one-dimensional rapper. He can rap fast with cool flows and rhymes; but he can also employ a slower flow to say some real shit and can even sing really well in some moments. But I will admit that the main attraction is still his flow and the bars, man, wow. It's filled to the brim with clever schemes and one-liners. The highest possible level. Also, the production throughout is killer. Each song has a specific sound yet the record sounds really cohesive and flows well, which is ridiculous considering there is at least one beat switch in nearly every song. Some of the beats really are amazing, though. That Kung-Fu Panda-esque beat that Yasiin Bey rhymes on is exquisite -  I honestly felt emotional on my first listen. Pretty much all the features slap and hold their own next to JID, which is a huge testament to all the featured artists. There are a few tracks, like 'Can't Punk Me' and 'Money' which don't quite hit the same as some of the other songs on the album for me. The Lil Durk feature also seems somewhat unnecessary. On the whole, however, this was a thoroughly enjoyable listen and  definitely lived up to my high expectations. 

Favourite songs: Dance Now, Crack Sandwich, Surround Sound, Kody Blu 31, Sistanem, Can't Make U Change, Stars, Better Days, Lauder Too, 2007

Score: 9/10

Black Thought, Danger Mouse - Cheat Codes

This is an album for true hip-hop heads. Black Thought, one of the coldest to ever do it, over this ridiculous Danger Mouse production is a recipe for success. And that's without the quality of the features on top of it. Starting with the production, to sum up, Danger Mouse is a genius. It's like he crafted the beats depending on who was on the song. For example, the Griselda-style beat suits Conway perfectly on 'Saltwater'. The more punchy and upbeat production on 'Strangers' sounds like it was made for Killer Mike, with A$AP Rocky also sliding in seamlessly. The lower bpm, yet complex beat is basically screaming out for a DOOM feature, and he delivers. Furthermore, Black Thought seems like he can ride any beat and make it sound like his own. I need Black Thought x Metro Boomin next. Anyway, 'Sometimes' is a gorgeous soul-sampled opener which perfectly sets the tone for the record. It's one that makes your hairs on the back of your neck stand up, for sure. I can't really figure out Danger Mouse's signature sound as all these beats are so different. That isn't a bad thing, however, as I now know to expect gold on whatever he appears on. Black Thought is obviously a ridiculously talented MC. The issue I have, especially on this record, is that I don't know what he's saying half the time. Not because I can't hear it, but because I don't understand it. His verses are packed with references and complex metaphors that need intense study to dissect. He has very few bars that are easy to catch. That's not a problem as the opportunity to dive in to this genius is a privilege, but I'm not sure how good that is for a casual listen. Fortunately, the beats and the sound of Thought's rapping is so clear that it is very enjoyable to just listen to. You can tell the quality of the songs from sound alone, and that's without diving into the lyrics. An extremely impressive true hip-hop album.

Favourite songs: Sometimes, The Darkest Part, No Gold Teeth, Because, Belize, Aquamarine, Strangers, Saltwater

Score: 8.5/10

DJ Khaled - GOD DID

It's hard to know where to start with a Khaled album. As usual, he throws half the music industry on to an album to produce...not a great deal. It all kind of blends in to one, to be honest. There are a few standout moments. Jay-Z owns his verse on the title track, and the beat on this one is really dreamy and grand, too. Jadakiss kills his verse on his 'interlude'. He really injects some passion into a generally passionless record. It's a shame that this interlude came at the end as I could have done with this energy around the time Drake was (badly) interpolating the Bee Gees. As usual, SZA delivers some strong vocals, but this is unfortunately coupled with a very awkward Future verse about love, which is just very hard to believe. 21 Savage does alright with his couple appearances, but it's the minimum I expect from him these days. These were far from his best verses. 'WAY PAST LUCK' sounds like it was plucked straight from 'I Am > I Was', but had been made slightly worse. I like the energy Latto brings on 'BILLS PAID', as well. My praise for this album ends about there. Most of the rest of the songs employ this basic-ass sliding 808-centric style that are all overwhelmingly over-produced. There's so much going on in some of these beats and not enough in the other ones. There is nothing really interesting in any of them either, it's all so middle-of-the-road. Also, I don't know whose idea it was to add staccato-flow Eminem to 'USE THIS GOSPEL', which is not a great song anyway without this feature. I like Em's energy here, the execution of his flow and lyrics just don't fit or sound good. There isn't much else to say. It's mid.

Favourite songs: GOD DID, BILLS PAID, JADAKISS INTERLUDE

Score: 4.5/10

NAV -Wrong Decisions

NAV has dropped yet another single and you know I had to check it out. And honestly, it's not bad. The beat is unironically really good (imma assume he didn't produce it). I like the R&B influence in the bassline. A vocal sample would have really amplified it as it does get a bit samey by the end of the song. It's a nice sounding beat but doesn't exactly engage you. I like what NAV is talking about on this song. Regrets, trust, and mental damage are all touched on. The execution is tolerable so I'll give NAV props for that. He switches up his flow a few times but nothing that would give you an impression of any actual rapping ability, phew. He just can't help himself, however, even on a relatively serious song, from being unintentionally funny. "Makin' hits, I just know I won't miss", surely there needs to be some self awareness here. The industry plant - money growing on trees bar is pretty cool, to be fair. A lot of the rhymes on this song do sound straight outta RhymeZone; there isn't a great deal of creativity. I would say he maintains a good sound, but I was pretty bored by the end. Maybe I'm being too critical; it's definitely the most promising I've heard NAV sound in a minute.