Conflicted. That's what I am with this album right now. I've been in and out of reviewing this for a while today. I am like most unsure how I feel about this project. There's rumors that this LP is really just mocking hip hop...These Days...but if so, I still want to hear good music out of it. So any deep metaphorical meaning behind these tracks will only go so far is the songs aren't good. Oh and if you're wondering, I do partially think the album art is shock value. But, as usual let's go track by track.
God's Reign feat. SZA
SZA's starting to grow on me. I like this opening in particular. I feel it sets up what the album will/could be. The lyrics are rather personal even relating to a lost girlfriend of his who died from suicide.
Tree of Life
I got most of you muthafuckas stumped. Rap like i go to church with work in the trunk
I don't love this, but it's solid overall. I've heard some people hating this track, but i don't mind it at all.
Hunnid Stax feat. Mac Miller and ScHoolboy Q
I don't give a single shit, if this song is mocking radio Hip hop. It's straight ass crack. Half of Ab's first verse is different sayings of getting money. Even ScHoolboy sounds dumb here, the chorus isn't awful overall because it sounds like it has a theme of enjoying life to a degree. But the verses are just not necessary in anyone's life. Puffy also has an outro here so, if that's a selling point for you...
Dub Sac
I've heard that this song might be a reference to Lupe Fiasco's Bitch Bad. I can see that idea, but the song doesn't live up to even that track. Ab keeps making irritating noises in the background, it's better than the ass cheese that was Hunnid Stax, but still weak.
World Runners feat. Lupe Fiasco and Nikki Jean
Can't spill blood without blue, now ask yourself what is what i do let me put that together without glue Lupe just slaughtered this shit. Mocking the Illuminati? Now that's the kinda shit i expected to hear on this baby. Ab's decent, but he gets outshined in my opinion. Beat's pretty wack though. Sounds like a dime and dozen trap beat.
Nevermind That feat. Rick Ross
Ay! Roseanne's back, thank fucking God. His verse is alright though but FUCKING SHIT! That god damn Maybach sound is back! This isn't even your song you portly tattooed fuck! Ab's solid, BJ the Chicago Kid pops in for a second...wish he could've taken Ross's place. There's a continuing theme of brag rap in this album, it may be the mocking of mainstream rap i've heard of, but only some of it is working.
TWACT feat. Jinx and Short Dawg
Ab just coming out the corners with guest appearances. So far only Lupe has impressed. This shit's basically Hunnid Stax part II. Pass on it.
Just Have Fun
Do the drugs don't let the drugs do you
Technically this is telling you to do drugs, but at least the intro is positive about it. Sorta. Some fella named Da$h hops in this too, where is Soul finding these guys? Is there a rap unemployment line of guys somewhere waiting for a guest feature? Soul's verses are dope for the most part.
Kendrick Lamar's Interlude
I seen a dead body at five, shit had me traumatized
I change my statement, Kendrick has also impressed. He sounds aggressive here and it works. By far the most attention grabbing verse on here. There's a slight autotune voice cutting in though. It's not really pleasant. The saxophone at the end is nice though.
Closure
Cause every-time we talk i feel static baby. Could be in the distance, yeah
I personally feel this track. It's personal and I can feel his emotion behind it and the longing to see his deceased girlfriend.
Sapiosexual
About the worst track he could've transitioned too. Drop some ass gas on this record. There's a random reference to eating ass, and i appreciate Soul supporting all the asshole eaters out there but it's not exactly what i expected to hear after you longing the loss of your girlfriend. Maybe there's a deeper meaning here, and i hope there is. For now, track's weak.
Stigmata feat. Action Bronson and Asaad
This would be a better follow up. It's a song of faith and follows up better than Ab shouting "I'll fuck your mind!" over and over. Bronson and Asaad are pretty good as well here. I like it altogether. Albums picking up steam again but i hope it's not too little, too late.
Feelin' Us feat. Jay Rock and RaVaughn
Ab's opener verse is pretty weak, but Jay Rock picks this up. Soulo finishes off strong. I expected better out of Rock and Ab collabing though. Bit of a disappointment.
Ride Slow feat. Danny Brown and Delusional Thomas
a psycho, xannys in my cup before i pour fo'. You Nacho, meaning niggas pour cheese on you
When you sample Hail Mary, you better fucking deliver bud. Does it? Ehh sorta. I could take or leave Thomas's verse. There's some good lines from Danny, Ab feels like he goes on forever though. There's about six verses here. Could've been cut down a bit.
W.R.O.H feat. JMSN
This is actually a dope ending to the album. I like what he does here, wouldn't call it the best track but it's enjoyable for an ending...but is it the end? Well..
Ab-Soul Vs Daylyt
Ab ends the LP with a battle against notorious gimmick man and battler Daylyt. How is it? Fucking..Awesome I'm a sucka for dope battle rap and i despise how bitch the shit is now with battlers whining about money and always about to fight but this is great. Two guys, 20 minutes pure bars.
Here's just a few
He know the heat blowers like Daffy at the casino n*gga you better duck
You feel it it's Felix, see what the old cat would do
Somebody check the clock i think i'm ahead of day
Send him to the chopping block off with the head of day
It's a very creative ending, i've only seen similar to Method Man and Raekwon's pseudo battle on Tical, and when Cassidy battled himself on I'm a Hustla. (yes, that happened) Check this shit out for sure if anything.
The Highlights:
Stigmata
Kendrick Lamar's interlude
Ab Soul Vs Daylyt
The Lowlights:
Hunnid Stax
Sapiosexual
TWACT
The Gem:
World Runners
Is it Worth a Purchase?
I can't say the material warrants me to tell you to buy it. There's great highlights like the interlude, the amazing battle, the opening track. Some very solid entries and dope guest verses. But a lot of this album does lack severely. When it's great, it's really great, but when it's bad...it's really fucking bad. Check out the tracks fore mentioned, but proceed with caution towards it. Even if there was a great concept of this imitating modern hip hop, some of it doesn't fit that tone and the material that could be is usually irritating.
Overall Grade: C+
I can't say I didn't enjoy a lot of the album, but a bit of a let down. I never go in expecting a classic or album of the year, if you had that thought. I will repeat some of the material here in the future, but some of it...just hit the recycle bin. Until next time, One Love.
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