A.K.i.L.
Truth
EP
TWENTY88
TWENTY88
ALBUM
Longtime friend of The Roshua Review, A.K.i.L. delivers the first body of work that I've ever seen from the rapper. While it's not a full length effort, Truth EP contains 5 tracks which lend to a listening session just short of 20 minutes. For an introductory project, Truth is a very successful attempt for A.K.i.L. Sticking true to his rap moniker, all the lyrics on the album were intelligently written with an easier flow than I've ever heard from A.K.i.L. He's in the position of the common man, which works very well for him much like how it works for Drake. The project finds him daydreaming of financial stability and making it, much like any person his age would. But he experiments past simply delivering bars; A.K.i.L. tries different flows and has some pretty decent attempts at vocal manipulation. Truth presents me to an A.K.i.L. that is wiser than the one that I saw perform live for the first time, and he has a lot more stories to tell this time around. Surprisingly, his storytelling talent is reminiscent of Schoolboy Q and A$AP Rocky's, but his sincerity rivals J. Cole and Drake's. Growth is the shining star on this project with production value seeming like a low point. Truth proves that A.K.i.L. is becoming a full-fledged artist. RJ
This album was a real treat. Revisiting Jhene Aiko and Big Sean's natural chemistry, TWENTY88 comes off as a labor of love. Rich with emotion and lyrics that can't help but ring true, the album is definitely relatable. The production is clean, and although it complements Sean more so than Jhene, the album has a clear and recognizable sound. While the messages within the 8 tracks aren't complex, they all hit home extremely well. In contrast to each artist's discography, the album isn't a major power move for either one. When considering Jhene's catalogue, this album is very valuable to her increasing quality. Her projects always feel a little mediocre, but TWENTY88 seems to show that particular trend is fading. As for Big Sean, it's simply a victory lap, neither damaging or building upon his legacy. But what TWENTY88 makes clear is that Big Sean and Jhene Aiko have one of the best bonds in music. Their voices complement each other all throughout the album, regardless of if they're both singing or one is rapping while one does the other. Another admirable sonic aspect of TWENTY88 is the clear and seamless transitions between songs. Overall, their album is simply a great listen, especially if you're looking for music that mirrors your thoughts about relationships in your life. TWENTY88 is Jhene Aiko and Big Sean's flawed love child, but you love it nevertheless. RJ
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