After what feels like a lengthy drought of new music, a downpour of albums has showered down this November. The usual end-of-year push has come in full force with debut albums from upstarts like GoldLink and Ty Dolla $ign as well as new servings from established acts such as Justin Bieber, Puff Daddy (or whatever name he prefers at the moment), and Grimes.
Justin Bieber – Purpose [5.7/10]
Expectations were high for Bieber’s comeback album, Purpose. Singles and collaborations “What Do You Mean,” “Sorry,” and “Where Are U Now” with Jack U were strong showings for the one-man boy band. Unfortunately, like a trailer for a bad movie, the best parts were in the previews. Purpose, while a more adult showing for Bieber, is weak and a bit corny. The redemption of Bieber is somewhat skeptical, and his songs feel half-hearted. Bieber is definitely changing for the better, but it’s not necessarily fully thought-out.
Ty Dolla $ign – Free TC [7/10]
Ty Dolla $ign is a singer with one of the smoothest voices in R&B/Hip-Hop and some of the dirtiest lyrics in both genres. He’s worked with Kanye, Chris Brown, and Wiz Khalifa and has become a rising star in the community for doing so. His debut album Free TC comes on the heels of great singles like “Blasé” with Future and Rae Sremmurd and “Saved” with E-40. As a whole, the album is mixed. Surprisingly, TC is fairly religious, and many songs are about hope growing up in Compton. It works but not as well as the bedroom and club music. Free TC is a decent first serving for this rising star, but he wasted a few opportunities.
Puff Daddy – MMM (Money Makin’ Mitch) [7.1/10]
Who better exemplifies extravagance like Sean Combs? The mogul teeters between number one and number three on the annual Forbes list of richest hip-hop artists. Puff Daddy, a name he hasn’t used in quite some time, isn’t exactly as good at rapping as he is at making money, but if you’re making the most money in the game, then you’re probably “stunting” harder than anyone else possibly can. MMM is nothing but extravagant. The production is the gold studded watch of this album, and guests like Big Sean, Pusha T, Future, and Wiz Khalifa are the enormous mink coat. A lot of rappers talk about all the money they make—and some of them actually have rap talent—but sometimes extravagance trumps real talent.
GoldLink – And After That, We Didn’t Talk [7.8/10]
Breakup albums in rap are rare. The most prominent example may be Kanye’s 808s and Heartbreak, but after that, not much comes to mind. DC newcomer GoldLink delivers a debut album in this uncommon territory. The rapper flows melodically over funk and house production. The legendary Rick Rubin executively produced the album for exceptional sound quality. While the album is about a breakup, it also touches on race issues with songs like “New Black” and “Dark Skin Woman.” And After That is one of best debut albums of the year for rap.
Grimes – Art Angels [8/10]
Grimes has been anything but conventional. She recorded her 2012 breakout album Visions entirely on GarageBand. Pitchfork awarded her “Song of the Year” for “Oblivion” that same year. Art Angels, the long-awaited follow-up, comes after Grimes scrapped an entire album last year after fan dissatisfaction with the single “Go.” Refreshing the palette paid off, Art Angels is a successful mix of electronic and pop. It is a bold shift from Visions, which made itself more ambient, Angels plays off mainstream pop influences. Angels strangely takes a lot of generic pop sounds from mainstream giants and retools them in a more artistic fashion.
Nick Dye
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