By KEVIN JACOB
Staff Writer
Welcome all, to another glorious edition of Kickin’ It With KJ. I know many of you may not be reading because of that grand thing called summer vacation, but I have a new article for you guys dealing with all types of music that have dropped lately. This includes the amazing day that was June 18.
Before I get to reviews, I need to tell you all to check out this one song by the band Wild Nothing. The song is called “Shadow” and it’s amazing. The perfect summer song, “Shadow” is light, airy, carefree and catchy as hell. Definitely check this track out.
Now where to begin? Well on June 18, many rap albums dropped and there was a little something for everybody. You had Kanye West dropping the almighty Yeezus which isn’t your typical hip-hop record and is more for the “hipster/artsy” crowd. J.Cole dropped his second full-length album Born Sinner which is more for the traditional hip-hop head out there. You have Mac Miller dropping his second full-length as well with Watching Movies With the Sound Off which is more for the stoners. A lot of variation and a lot of good music. Let’s get into it.
Kanye West Yeezus
Every time Kanye West drops an album, you know it’s going to change the game.With Yeezus, Kanye shows why he’s one of the most creative and distinct artists of our generation. Before it came out, there were many vines and previews of songs that Ye was doing at certain shows and it turned me off a little bit because a lot of the music sounded very EDM (electronic dance music) influenced. Plus, add in that there were only ten tracks and I wasn’t really too high on it. Then it came out, and my opinion completely changed.
The album begins in a fury and hits you right over the head with “On Sight” in a loud distorted, electronic thunderstorm. Yeezy season has approached. Next we have “Black Skinhead” which is the first track on the album that shows some political overtone. I thought the track was really well-produced, and it blends well into the album’s best track “I Am a God.” Kanye’s really spitting on this track, and we don’t usually see that from him, so that was a welcome surprise. Other great tracks on the album were “Blood on the Leaves,” “New Slaves,” “Guilt Trip,” and “Bound.” The only tracks I didn’t really care for were “I’m In It” and “Hold My Liquor,” which really disappointed me as Kanye didn’t let my man Chief Keef get a verse. But I digress.
Overall I was impressed with Yeezus. It’s ahead of it’s time. Way ahead of it’s time. It sounds like this thing was crafted in a electronic dungeon in the year 3000. But that’s what Kanye’s always been best at—Starting new trends and being consistent with his music.
Rating: 9.5/10
J. Cole Born Sinner
Young Jermaine has dropped his long awaited follow up to The Sideline Story with Born Sinner. Now I was pretty hyped for Born Sinner, and I think in many aspects that it’s a solid album, but I will admit I was sort of disappointed with it.
I don’t know why, either. The album starts off great with “Villuminatti” and it might be one of the best rap intro’s I’ve heard since Drake’s “Over My Dead Body” off of Take Care. It’s exactly the way an album like Born Sinner should start. It’s lyrical with a thunderous beat. Things seem to be going great, right? Wrong. After “Villuminatti” we have “Land of Snakes” which I absolutely can’t stand. You know why? Because he had to butcher a classic song. “Land of Snakes” samples Outkast’s “Da Art of Storytellin Part 1” which is a classic to me. That song shouldn’t be touched. Cole didn’t due it justice and then the album starts doing waves for me. Up and down up and down.
On the Up we have songs such as “Runaway,” “Rich N******,” “Forbidden Fruit”(with a great Tribe Called Quest sample), “Let Nas Down,” and my favorite track of the album “New York Times.” That’s a lot of good. But then we have songs like “Trouble,” “She Knows,” and “Power Trip”(I’ve never liked the song, sue me)—which are songs I could definitely live without.
Another complaint I have with the album it’s that it’s waaaay too long. Most of the tracks are about five minutes a piece. With 17 full songs (the deluxe edition and minus skits and interludes) that’s a long project. Maybe if Cole cuts some of the length or some of the songs then it would have been a better, more cohesive album.
Although there was a lot I didn’t like, in the end, I did like quite a bit of it because I think, in a sense, Cole has progressed, especially with his production. I still have a problem with some of the drums he’s using. They sounded really tin-like on some tracks. Will Born Sinner be my favorite album this year? No. Is it the worst? No. Am I going to come back to it often? Some tracks yes. But overall, the album isn’t screaming with a ton of replay value. But with a few occasions here and there, it will definitely receive some play.
Rating: 6.5/10
Mac Miller Watching Movies With the Sound Off Â
I’m a fairly weathered Mac Miller fan. I’m not afraid to admit it. When he released his K.I.D.S. mixtape a few years back I was a huge fan. Even his Best Day Ever tape got a lot of play when I was a freshman. Then he released his debut album Blue Slide Park which was terrible, and I lost most respect for him. He released his mixtape Macadelic and my respect had been somewhat regained. Now with WMWTSO, Mac Miller now has my full respect back.
I didn’t have high expectations for this album. I thought it would have some decent tracks, but I was definitely skeptical of how it would be. Well, that all changed once I hit play and “The Star Room” came on. It starts the album off with Mac spitting some nice bars and the hazy production and changing up of the pitch of his vocals adds to a good start to the album. The album continues with great cuts such as “Avian,” “Matches,” “Claymation,” and my favorite song of the project “Red Dot Music” which is not only one of my favorite songs on the whole album, but this might be one of the best tracks that I’ve heard this year. With Mac and Action Bronson spitting razor sharp verses, along with a great outro by battle rapper Loaded Lux you have easily the best track on here. That beat is godly as well.
The main thing I like about this album is that there’s not one song that I can overly say that I straight up don’t like. Every song serves its purpose and that’s what a great album is supposed to do. This album barely had me skipping a song. It seems that all of that time hanging out with Odd Future, Vince Staples, and Alchemist has rubbed off on him for the better. Best project that Mac has released thus far in his young career so far. Hats off to you, Mr. Miller.
Rating: 9/10
Well that’s all for this edition of Kickin’ It. There’s a lot more music left to come out this summer and there is going to be a lengthy edition once we’re officially back in school. Until then, enjoy your summer break and keep reading. Peace.
