With a behemoth 30 song track list typical of the modern day streaming error, MUSIC suffers from a lack of quality control and cohesion. This can be seen on similar sounding tracks such as “OVERLY” and “DIS 1 GOT IT”. The song “TOXIC” sounds like a cheap rehash of the previous single “BACKROOMS”. For an album that has been in the works for so long, MUSIC surprisingly has lackluster mixing. It shows with things like the bizarre extended intro sequence that sounds like it could’ve been ripped off of YouTube video outro on what’s currently the album’s most popular track “EVIL J0RDAN”.

Additionally, outside of a few guest appearances, most of the features on the record are middling or drag down the project at times. An A-list artist such as Playboi Carti should be capable of producing a more diverse and creative set of collaborations than three Travis Scott features, two Lil Uzi Vert features, three Kendrick Lamar features, two Future features and a repetitive feature from The Weeknd. Even though Carti is not known for being a profound lyricist, MUSIC lacks those sparing moments of introspection that added more depth to his previous projects.

Despite being a very flawed project, MUSIC has some highlights when it focuses on expanding the sounds of Whole Lotta Red. “POP OUT” is raw, sonically unhinged, and one of the most explosive and thrilling tracks to open an album. The songs “CRANK” and “COCAINE NOSE” feel like the evolved final form of the punk-rap sound. Kendrick Lamar makes an unexpectedly fun appearance as a hypeman on “MOJO JOJO”. However, another Kendrick Lamar collab “GOOD CREDIT” pales in comparison to his collaborations with Baby Keem and is slightly underwhelming due to a dull production choice and Carti’s lethargic vocal delivery.

Out of all the various genre forays on the album, Playboi Carti is at his best when tapping into electronic and sample based sounds. The spacey production on “OLYMPIAN” and “I SEEEEEE YOU BABY BOI” is hypnotic and serves as a perfect medium for his raspy melodies. Playboi Carti delivers his finest performance on “OPM BABI” by using an eclectic vocal delivery and surrounding himself with thrilling, unrelenting gunshot effects and hype producer tags courtesy of Atlanta legend DJ Swamp Izzo. Another stellar performance on the album comes over a fun creative sample of the Rich Kidz song “Bend Over” on “LIKE WEEZY”. These sounds suit Playboi Carti well and one can only hope he continues to explore these lanes on future projects instead of rehashing cheap thrills that have already run their course in mainstream music.

Official Maurice Crawford Score: 6.8/10

The post Playboi Carti May Not Be the “MUSIC” appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Coming off a strong LP with I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You, the West Coast artist continues to become more versatile with his latest mixtape SCRAPYARD. This mixtape has almost everything to offer within the current musical landscape. There are traces of postmodern hip-hop, cloud rap, indie rock, and folktronica. The combination of these genres makes for a fun and creative record. Despite the various mixes of different musical genres and influences, Quadeca’s sense of melody is strong throughout the project and every hook lands.

Quite honestly, SCRAPYARD sounds like the project that artists like Yung Lean and Lil Ugly Mane have been trying to make over the entirety of their groundbreaking careers. The triumphant instrumental of the incredible “A LA CARTE” sounds like something that would sound at home on a Bon Iver record, while “GUESS WHO?” is an energetic EDM trap banger. “U TRIED THAT THING WHERE UR HUMAN” has a distant almost alien like sense of emotion that is commonly seen on Björk albums. Quadeca’s confidence throughout this record is exuberant as he tackles an array of challenging styles, putting his own emo hip-hop spin on the various genres incorporated on his latest mixtape.

One of the biggest flaws of Quadeca’s unbridled creativity is the lack of cohesive thought. Even though most of the songs off on this project sound good individually, the great variety in styles spreads the main focus thin. It leaves us with undercooked tracks like “I MAKE IT LOOK EFFORTLESS” and “WAY TOO MANY FRIENDS”. Despite Quadeca showing proficiency in many different styles of music, he has mastered few of them.

Nonetheless, the potential that he shows across the fifteen tracks of this mixtape left me awestruck with the possibility of what he could do in the future. Quadeca has the raw talent to create classic records for years to come. If he simply hones in and develops some of the styles showcased across this diverse mixtape, we are going to be in for something special in the near future. If SCRAPYARD is merely a bare bones skeleton of a great record, I have seen few that are more appealing.

Official Maurice Crawford Score: 8.2/10

The post Quadeca Scavenges Different Genre Fragments for “SCRAPYARD” appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Coming after 2020’s “Anime, Trauma, and Divorce,” Open Mike Eagle follows up on some of the same topics. On the tracks “Kites” and “I Retired and Then Changed My Mind,” he describes almost quitting, and confesses his feelings of failure despite his success. He talks about his failed Comedy Central show, and painting himself into a corner artistically, in an “art rap” niche. 

In an album centered around nostalgia, Open Mike Eagle references his idols, and even brings on one of his heroes, Diamond D. The New York artist produced three tracks on the album. Eagle also gave him the closing verse on the cleverly named last track, “CD Only Bonus Track.” On his podcast “Secret Skin” he made clear that this was intentional. He said it made the record sound like something he would listen to from his tapes. He cites Diamond D as one of his greatest influences.  

Open Mike Eagle respects another one of his idols on “For DOOM.” A cleaned-up freestyle from when MF DOOM passed away, Eagle cites the late rapper’s impact on him. He states how proud he was to be able to work with his hero. 

Throughout the album, Open Mike Eagle showcases his excellent lyricism. This record has no shortage of wonderful flows and lines. Tracks like “I’ll Fight You” contain smooth, flowing rapped choruses, something Eagle has excelled in throughout his career. 

Open Mike Eagle brings in close friends as producers and features, like Illingsworth and RAP Ferriera. Both artists feature on “Multi Game Arcade Cabinet.” Ferriera opens the track with a staccato, rhythmic poetic flow over the Illingsworth produced beat, with punching bass and rippling pianos. The track also features close friends of Eagles, Video Dave and Still Rift.  

A low point on the record is the song “Circuit City.” Though produced by the legendary Madlib, who worked with Open Mike Eagle’s hero MF DOOM, the beat feels like impossible to rap over. The roaring guitar and a gospel-like ambience doesn’t allow Eagle or either of the features to build a flow. Throughout the song, it feels like they’re continuously stumbling over their verses, unable to find a concrete rhythm to stand on. 

Two tracks produced by Quell Chris “79th and Stoney Island” and “Burner Account” stand out as the record’s high points. The first features a bluesy, shuffling beat, where Open Mike Eagle reflects on what makes him happy, like hearing his son’s laugh. The track ends with an audio clip from Chicago’s WHPK, the hip-hop radio station he grew up on. “Burner Account” sounds like a ride on the L-Train, including rumbling train wheels and a predictable clunk in the rails. It features the New York duo Armand Hammer, alternating intense, abrasive verses. 

“Component System with the Auto Reverse,” while still holding over some grievances from Eagle’s previous album, reflects on his past and the good times he still cherishes. Despite many traumatic experiences and loss since his career began, he can appreciate who he has become as an artist, and the people who got him there. He does this all in one of the best albums released this year.

8/10 

“Component System with the Auto Reverse” is out now available for purchase and streaming.

The post Open Mike Eagle gets hella personal on “Component System with the Auto Reverse” appeared first on KRUI Radio.