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The hard-hitting tracks on this album really stand out and are backed up with amazing lyrics from artists like Vic Mensa on “Lose It” and Vince Staples on “Smoke and Retribution”.

Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa
Vince Staples

I was lucky enough to catch both features performed live during his Lollapalooza set this past year, and as you can imagine – the crowd was HYPE. “Smoke and Retribution” has a beat like I’ve never heard before, and that verse the 3rd time around KILLS!

Check it out and also peep the videos from that set! 

Some major standout moments for me on the record are:

  • Numb and Getting Colder – The obscure sounds remind me of the Timbaland era with Missy and Aaliyah, and the beat is reminiscent of something “icy” like the title, and I always picture the Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson video for “What’s It Gonna Be”.
  • 3 – Became the hidden gem for me on the record, and makes me feel like I am cruising down the street at night in a fast car with tinted windows. When he teases that increasingly pitched air-horn effect in the middle of the track I can’t even take it. Not to mention, these are actually his airy vocals in the mix – must listen!
  • Helix – This sets the tone for the album in such a good way – mixing electronic, trap, and hip hop elements and really previewing what’s in store for the record. And this is of course synonymous with the intro of his concert which is just INSANE.

  • Like Water – MNDR. Enough said.I didn’t know that she was still making music (partly to me failing to research), so it was a nice surprise to see an artist I used to listen to quite some time ago featured on such a chill track!

I have played this damn album non-stop since it was released and truly enjoy the entire thing. The interludes like “Free” and “Pika” are nice little palette-cleansers in between the shifts in track tempos. If you have the chance to listen to this follow up, you won’t be disappointed!

You must listen and must see this guy live. A true audio-visual experience that you’ll never forget! 

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