Belly- Up For Days: Another artist that I’m not familiar with, so forgive me if my opinion sucks. To be honest the best songs on here are with the big name features, and those songs don’t necessarily boost the mixtape to a higher level. I could not distinguish an original style from belly and maybe that’s why the tape was so flat. For the entirety of the tape he sounds like a cheap Partynextdoor-Travis Scott hybrid, and it doesn’t work. If you’re in a mindless mood, or high/intoxicated, this will probably work out for you. Otherwise, it’s simply mediocre.
Young Thug- Barter 6: Barter 6 takes Thugger in a completely different direction from 2013’s 1017 Thug, and the tone of the project is a lot less fun. Although not completely serious, Young Thug asks deep questions and touches on serious topics on the Barter 6. The album is generally enjoyable, and- as usual- generally undecipherable. Where the project falls flat is that it is extremely one dimensional. Where he experimented with more complex production (which was great) and new flows (which were also great), he made the lyrics take the trunk instead of the backseat. It was a cool mixtape with awesome replay value, but it left me expecting more from the polarizing artist.
3 Spins
Snoop Dogg- Bush: You ever hear something in the background while you’re at the mall and you’re like that’s kinda cool? That’s how I feel about Bush. It’s nothing really super special, but it definitely does have beautiful moments. To be honest, it probably would be great background music to a family gathering or something where the music really isn’t being listened to. The music itself is phenomenal, and it produces a feel-good vibe that’s hard to shake. Perhaps it is just an album to vibe to rather than closely examine. Regardless, it’s good music and easy to enjoy.
Gucci Mane- King Gucci: Since being incarcerated, Gucci Mane has constantly released a stream of projects for free. Even though the projects range in levels of quality, lately Gucci has been picking up a legit amount of steam. This tape really rides his flow and success, and it is appropriately called King Gucci. It’s a nice testament to the trap genre that he has always dominated. Even though there was a song or two that felt unnecessary or rushed hook wise, the project was still an easy and enjoyable listen. And Riff Raff’s verse on “I’m Too Much” was godly. But in the end, this tape went hard- short and simple.
JME- Integrity > : Yo this dude can really spit. But that was pretty much it. The project felt shallow; like it didn’t explore enough serious topics. (Note that the first JME project that I’ve listened to.) Regardless the album lent a smooth listen, and once I became accustomed to his accent it was fun to hear. However the album has really failed to leave a lasting impression on me, and I doubt that I will revisit it any time soon.
Ciara- Jackie : A very easy listen with good production and melodies, but the album is very straightforward. If that was the purpose, then bravo, but it seems like I’ve heard the album before. It’s pretty good; it’s just cliché. And sometimes she tries to sound like Beyonce. But I digress. The album strives when it sounds like a well thought out Ciara album, but that sound rarely appears on the project.