Rapid Review - 2/7/22

Saba – Few Good Things: Acclaimed and renowned rapper (by both contemporaries and critics), songwriter, and producer finally returns after a hiatus of a few years. On this record, Saba shows some of the highest capabilities of vocal versatility right now with distinct singing and rapping voices. Such distinction is also well-accompanied by groovy, chill, but also some harder-hitting beats throughout the album (mostly by daedaePIVOT & Daoud). The topic matters he discusses through song is not the most original (upbringing, family, success, etc.), but it’s precisely the way he ties his words together that makes his work innovative. His flow-building is honestly on par with some of the best in the game. 7-8

Mitski – Laurel Hell: The highly anticipated sixth studio album by the Japanese American indie phenom lives up to expectations on this usual, short-style record. All jokes aside (ifykyk), Mitski presents a great project here with an immense array of instrumental choices and executions that work extremely well together. Since her albums are so short, I’d argue filler is rare or non-existent, and that continues on Laurel Hell where each cut has a distinct reason to be liked by a different listener. Although there are songs that I do not enjoy as much, tracks like Valentine, Texas and Love Me More already feel so iconic and impactful in their own rights and exemplify the album for me. 7.5-8

Babyface Ray – FACE: I’ve only recently heard of him, but it’d be the very least to say he is one of the more unique rappers in the scene right now. Rap is a genre that rarely gets described as “beautiful,” but FACE has gone exactly against that norm. This is a beautiful rap album. Even from the very beginning, you can tell what I mean with a peculiar piano (and other keyboard instrument) beat, which transitions into a downward modulation that creates such a powerful yet graceful musical aura. At the same time, Ray introduces the listener to his subtly off-the-beat type flow that is epitomic of “laid back energy” and just works somehow. The project is a combination of the mentioned aesthetic and also more conventional rap tracks, but it truly culminates into a very intriguing and interesting listen for rap/hip-hop fans alike. 8-9

Father2006 – Reflection: An interesting downtempo, instrumental-only LP, indulging in deathdream, ambient, and even vaporwave stylizations and conventions.