2 Chainz-Rap or Go to the League: The artist formerly known as Titty Boi continues to mature as he enters middle age. His fourth solo LP Rap or Go to the League features forays into serious subject matters like losing loved ones to gang violence ("Forgiven"), love ("Rule the World") and being fortunate enough to still be alive after selling drugs for a prolonged period of time ("Threat 2 Society") sandwiched in between his typical hard-nosed trap bangers ("Whip", "NCAA", "Momma I Hit a Lick")-which are as good as ever. While this newfound introspection isn't without its clunky moments ("Sam", "I'm Not Crazy, Life Is") the sincerity and confidence behind the sentiments paired with the variety they help establish are enough to keep Rap or Go to the League very engaging throughout.
Grade: B+
Standout Tracks: 1.Rule the World (feat. Ariana Grande) 2.Momma I Hit a Lick (feat. Kendrick Lamar) 3.Whip (feat. Travis Scott)
Children of Bodom-Hexed: Stumbling upon an unexpected pleasure is one of the more beautiful and rewarding experiences that can come from being exposed to something as fiercely subjective as a piece of art. "Unexpected pleasure" isn't strong enough to describe the feeling of glee-induced shock that swept over me while I was listening to Children of Bodom's Hexed. These Finnish melodeath vets had been putting out interchangeable collections of mediocre-to-decent material for roughly 15 straight years, so there's no way they'd suddenly return to the over-the-top energy and guitar/synth theatrics they displayed in their early days right? After realizing this wasn't some kind of cruel mirage upon subsequent listens, I couldn't help but marvel at all of the blistering riffs, raw aggression and vintage metal fun that drive this relentless little record. Never thought I'd see the day where Bodom returned to their delightfully cheesy wheelhouse and since we don't how long this surprise visit from an old friend will last, I plan on basking in Hexed's warm, nostalgic glow for as long as possible.
Grade: A-
Standout Tracks: 1.Kick in a Spleen 2.Glass Houses 3.Hexed
Offset-Father of 4: Offset performed the ultimate act of artistic courtesy by closing out the Migos solo album trilogy on a perfectly competent albeit unexciting note. His decision to open up about fatherhood and his widely-publicized infidelity gives Father of 4 a nice little personal touch that was relatively unexpected from an artist whose prior output had almost exclusively been boisterous trap anthems. Once that initial surprise over the subject matter wore off, it becomes a relatively monotonous listen as Offset raps somberly for nearly an hour over some of the most forgettable atmospheric production Metro Boomin and Southside have ever released to the public. Now that the Migos have gotten the solo album bug out of their system, they can turn their attention to what really matters: Reconvening as a group to finish Culture III.
Grade: B-
Standout Tracks: 1.Clout (feat. Cardi B) 2.North Star (feat. CeeLo Green) 3.Legacy (feat. Travis Scott and 21 Savage)
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