Tyler the Creator- Cherry Bomb: This album is so crazy. Tyler the Creator has made his own Yeezus on his fourth studio album. The experimentation from Tyler is at an all-time high, and most of the time it comes across well. The lyrics are deeper and more uplifting than any of his other projects, and the message portrayed is powerful and evident. With impeccable features and soundscapes, the only thing that falters on this project is the mixing. Although done on purpose by Tyler himself, vocals on the first 4 or 5 tracks are incredibly hard to decipher. Regardless, the album was crafted well, and truly shows how creative Tyler the Creator truly is.
Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment- Surf: I had really high expectations going into this one, and they were met with flying colors. There’s a lot of risky moves on the album, and all of them produce enormous returns. First of all, the entire project is almost entirely, if not entirely, produced with live instruments. The Social Experiment provide amazing music; just in case you don’t get what I’m saying- Actual Music. The album also excels at blending artists from Quavo to Erykah Badu together on the musical experience that is Surf. All features fit exceptionally well, occasionally bringing artists completely out of their comfort zones, and I don’t know who deserves the props for that. Perhaps it’s Chance the Rapper, but I think it’s deeper than that. I think it’s the love for music that brings all of the various collaborators together, because Surf is just great music, and it is a must for any lover of music. All the lights and theatrics can make the album seem perfect, but there are many songs that lack things here and there, making the listen kind of feel like something is missing, and it becomes more obvious with every listen. No politics or marketing schemes can be found on the project, and it’s refreshing to her beautiful, pure art.
The Knux- Eleven: This is my first time every listening to the Knux, so I have absolutely no standards for them. Regardless, I found myself smiling from the intro to the end. It was a pleasantly new experience for me, and I’m curious to browse the rest of their discography. Fun production and some nice lyrics make it sound perfect for the summer. It doesn’t feel like a strict Hip-Hop album; in fact that’s what makes the album so good. It’s definitely one of the most interesting projects I’ve heard all year.
5 Spins
A$AP Rocky- A.L.L.A.: There is nothing better than to see an artist evolve. At Long Last A$AP serves as Rocky’s first offering since 2013’s Long Live A$AP, and yes it’s extremely dope. First of all, the project as a whole feels complete and cohesive throughout all 18 tracks. Secondly, A$AP Rocky’s lyrics have become luxurious and more well thought out than ever before. The production is also top notch with collaborators from various music spectrums. Although he was never shy to experimentation, he definitely does not care at all on this project. For every track like Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye II, there is a track like LSD that is weirdly beautiful that elevate Rocky’s artistry. The album is special to the Hip-Hop culture because of the long wait and untimely loss of executive producer A$AP Yams, but the music on the album makes it even more special. A rollercoaster through Rocky’s life since Long Live A$AP, A.L.L.A. takes the listener through various moods, layered soundscapes, and the ups and downs of life while still making you feel dope by the end of the album.