Finally got to sit down and listen to some albums in full today - here are some quick takes for a couple quick (≈ 30min.) albums:
An Evening with Silk Sonic by Silk Sonic (2021)
Review: I don’t know much about Anderson .Paak (I’m sure an oversight on my part) but this album definitely falls under the R&B cosplaying Bruno Mars is usually known for lately. How you feel about it varies based on whether you enjoy that or not. I’m usually so-so on it and that’s the best way I can sum this album up.
It starts strong with the single “Leave the Door Open,” which has cleaver-but-sorta-funny lyrics and a smooth Philly soul sound backing it. “Fly as Me” follows it with a faster, funkier vibe but then it sort of morphs into Unoffensive R&Background Noise during “After Last Night.” The rest of the album then just does the same thing. It’s not a bad album but other than “Leave the Door Open” and “Fly as Me”, I can’t really recommend it since it just feels like a dashed-off lark for these guys. - A.B. (6/28/2022)
Beat Tapes II by Benny Sings (2021)
Review: This album’s a grab bag of producer beatwork and underground rap. I have to give it credit for trying out things and just looking to see what happens. Problem is that there’s a lot of other producers who’ve done that same thing since the 1990s and did it to either better or, if failed, at least more interestingly. All of the parts thrown into the mix are too disparate and just feel like someone who made some cute beats, asked some friends to rap a couple bars over each one, and called it a day.
It’s a kaleidoscope with dull prisms, which is a shame since there’s some good cuts in here. I’m especially partial to “Beat 100” (underground rap with wubbly saxophone-based beats), “Beat 5” (woozy R&B-ish stuff), “Watch Me Heal,” and “Falling” (my personal favorite). It’s a Meh record like the Silk Sonic one I listened to right before it, which is fitting since both clock in at 31 minutes too. The best I can think of it is like the music in those Lo-Fi Hip Hop videos with the girl doing her homework. It’s mostly just noise to throw on if you’re doing something else. - A.B. (6/28/2022)
Comments