By: Antonio Starks
58th Floor: Paak’s vocals provide a higher pitch rasp that’s both charismatic and sensual, and Cordae’s vocals give the track a deeper, smoother contrast to Paak. The song has a very groovy beat, and comedic lyrical content. The smooth delivery and flow allows for an easy listening experience. The beat switch in the middle of the song is very satisfying to the ear, and evokes lowriders, high-rises, beach sunsets, and other signifiers of West Coast and Los Angeles culture.
Airbender: The fast-paced flow between Cordae and Paak gives this track a high energy while still giving a chill and low-key vibe. The reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender and subsequent spin-offs and titles expresses an interesting look into “Blerd” culture in a way that evokes Thundercat, Childish Gambino, Megan Thee Stallion, etc. Cordae and Paak express clever wordplay throughout the track that brings a playful air to the listener. Though enjoyable, this track is very short.
I’m On: The track begins explosively with an unbridled confidence reflected not only by the instrumental with its booming bass and percussion, but by Cordae and Paak’s vocal delivery and lyrics. There’s talk about monetary growth, a spirited bravado, and all of it is through numerous metaphors, word play, and slant rhymes.
A Good Day: A Bill Withers sample gives the song a warm and upbeat feel. The song’s fast pace and bright sound breeds a lovely, carefree tone. While somewhat repetitive, the cheerful mood and rhythm makes this song one can listen to for hours. The way Cordae and Paak bounce off each other really shines in this track. Lyrically, the themes of love, competition for said love, and nostalgia for youth feature prominently in the song.
You’re Mine: The jazzy, R&B sound is so infectious, and it is made even better the way Paak and Cordae ride the instrumental expertly. The lyrics are really heartfelt and like many of the songs on this album, provides a full story. The keys in the instrumental contribute heavily to the youthful and sweet tone of the music.
Days Go By: A slower and lo-fi track that details a harmony of family dynamics, expectations, and community experiences. While the instrumental could be a little repetitive, the introspective and clear lyrics carry the listener through the track with ease. Cordae and Paak have more of a separation within the song, allowing for each of their personal stories to come through while still connecting thematically.
Crown: A short and weighty song. It doesn’t stay long, nor do the lyrics have much depth. The word-play is clever and enjoyable, but the track does fall short in concert with the rest of the tracklist. The overall tone carries a weight and importance that makes this song enjoyable.
Days Like This: A clear and sharp percussion leads this instrumental into a proud, braggadocious track which, unlike the previous track, has themes of mother-son support, racial dynamics, and personal drama that elevates this track. The confident lyrics in tandem with the motivating instrumental create an armor that the listener can take to the gym, to an interview, etc.
Karma Tax: A catchy and somewhat 2010s-esque track, but it’s by far, one of the most repetitive on the record. The rhyme-schemes and the flows of Cordae and Paak weave through the instrumental nicely, with the keys as pretty garnishes. The themes of karma and past mistakes coming back to follow you provide an interesting perspective from the stars. The slow tempo adds to the introspective feelings within.
Helpless: The sample is classically pitched up to provide a simple yet effective sonic landscape for the emotional and personal lyrics. The pleading to a higher power while detailing the various sins and mistakes is captivating. Juxtaposing feelings of shame, rage, and denial coalesce into a heartfelt and beautiful rap-ballad.
Godfather II: The great and dramatic sample brings the listener in the beginning, but then with the addition of Cordae and Paak’s vocals provide an exhilarating experience. This track has a hard-hitting beat and an instrumental with retro elements that allows for it to emanate gravitas and inspire awe. The real thing that this track suffers from is that it is too short and it doesn’t use more of the vocal sample.
Overall, this album contains a plethora of emotional depth, youthful fun, Black and West Coast joy, all wrapped up within a clever and playful sound.
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