Don't Be Dumb

A bit of a mash of styles and ideas that works for the most part. Honestly the last 8 years have passed so quick I didn't realise he'd been gone so long, but listening to this makes it clear he hasn't lost a step. Here's hoping this isn't a one-off and he keeps putting out new music. Favourite Tracks: - Stole Ya Flow - Stay Here 4 Life - No Trespassing - Punk Rocky - Whisky

After so many years, I think I wanted a little more overall, but it still delivers in doses. There is a wide range of styles and genres here, but the aggressive, electronic-heavy production serves as the anchor point that the album keeps returning to. While I love some of this style, I personally like Rocky when he's a bit more docile on tracks. Many people fell in love with "L$D" back in the day, and it is the biggest highlight here. That style suits him so well, and I feel sad that he doesn't embrace it more. Even if it was just another song or two. Maybe that is what makes it so addictive: as fans, we are starved for tracks that sound like that. The lyrics here have some highs and some basic traditional Rocky bars. Nothing too crazy. Specifically, I like "THE END" where Rocky starts reflecting on the imperfections in the world. He takes several good points and touches on them briefly, using interesting lyrics. My specific favorite is when he references public school lunches tasting like an institution. Returning to "PUNK ROCKY", the more love-laced lyrics fit that style of song like a glove. Nothing on here is particularly bad lyrically, other than maybe a feature's bar here and there. But again, nothing that stands out so much that I think it's worth noting. That electronic grit is prevalent here. "ORDER OF PROTECTION", "STOLE YA FLOW", and "NO TRESPASSING" are some examples where it is executed well and differently each time. I wish there were more traditional instruments at times when there's so much electronic bass and synth; that is what makes some of the other electronic-heavy songs blend in. The songs that divert from this path are a nice surprise. "PUNK ROCKY", I've already touched on, but that is a good detour. "ROBBERY" is the most shocking twist in production, sounding straight out of a jazz bar. Doechii features on here, and their back and forth is rather soothing, but since it's really embodying that jazzy style, there's not really any sort of direction with the song. Vocals throughout this are pretty mundane. Brent Faiyaz does kill it on "STOLE YA FLOW," and Doechii does sound slick on "ROBBERY," but a lot of these features aren't particularly known for their gorgeous voice. Tyler sounds like Tyler and will.i.am sounds like will.i.am, but these are people you expect to give amazing vocal performances. Tyler does sound particularly good at the end of "FISH N STEAK (WHAT IT IS)" when he is singing rather than rapping, but it's just his usual distant style. The real sad vocal performances show up on "STFU" with Keilo Kei. Sounds degrading to listen to, and truthfully, this song as a whole is just a miss. It takes a stab at that JPEGMAFIA grit, but every time I've heard someone try to do it that isn't him, they miss. He's in a lane of his own with that sound.