Not seen one up yet, and I know you’re all thinking some kind of way about this - from samples to credits to the raps to the production to the release. Thoughts?
Just the music, let’s not bring politics into it … yet.
Kanye West // ye (G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam)
cosmo
#2
Some of the reviews I’ve seen have been surprisingly positive… for me it’s difficult to argue the case that it’s anything but his weakest solo album. Production sounds like a boring Life of Pablo re-tread, and the short run-time just cements it as a minor work in his catalogue.
DAICON
#3
I liked it way more than I thought I would. Definitely not a major work but still pretty good. Better than Pablo, although the highs aren’t as high and the lows not as low.
bland
#4
The Pusha T album proved there’s plenty of creative life left in him, but this feels so rushed and half-baked that you can’t help but feel he might spend the next month releasing updates until it’s in a state ready to stand alongside his other work. Jury very much out for me, but Lindsay Zoladz’s review on the Ringer felt as definitive as anything penned within 48 hours of release can.
HG_Food
#5
For sure it’s more middle of the road than either of the last two albums sonically. I think that he’s always been a prism that refracts societies bullshit back on itself tho. Lyrically, it’s darker than a lot of stuff he’s done, which I thought was a mirror to the “beautiful thoughts are always next to the darkest” line, because a lot of the samples are soulful and gentle. The length of he project and the manner he made it (from interviews gleaned he basically made it in a month), it was probably a far more exciting project to be a part of than to release.
Especially lyrically, he reflects our need to have music and content that deals with right now, by specifically mentioning events from the last month throughout.
That being said I think it has stand out moments and I am enjoying the fact that even tho the album is about ye, it’s more about his collaborators and the new school of GOOD artists at the same time, showcasing their talents.
Definitely he’s trying to make a more radio/stadium friendly album that marries his approach from yeezus with pablo.
criminiminal
#6
I like the EP-length format and “Ghost Town” is SOTY for me. the buzz of his renewed creativity is palpable but I think anyone squinting to find a big artistic statement in an outlier such as this might be looking in the wrong place.
euth
#7
Pretty good album. Ghost Town is unreal, and a lot of the songs have been sticking in my head. I think the album could have done without Benny Blanco, and I wish Hudson Mohawke didn’t have to leave Wyoming midway through the recording process for health reasons. Also wish ye invited a few of his more progressive producer friends (sinjin hawke, djds, metro). Just would love to hear what this would have turned into if it was put through Kanye’s typical months long dozens of producers process.
Still on heavy rotation though. Can’t wait for this kid cudi record.
Kobina
#8
Besides how fucked no crediting samples and features is, I really like it. I’ve suffered with depression most my life and it really speaks to my state of mind at it’s worse.