Review:
LoveLiveA$AP is the first high profile and eagerly anticipated hip hop
album of 2013, especially given the breakout success of A$AP Rocky’s first
album/mixtape LiveLongA$AP and quality of the album’s singles (Goldie and Fuckin’ Problems).
The album is packed full of great
featured artists (like ScHoolboy Q, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Danny Brown,
Gunplay, among others) and hot producers (like Hit-Boy, T-Minus, Clams Casino,
40, Danger Mouse, Jim Jonsin, and Skrillex), but ultimately it is very top
heavy. The singles are fantastic, and among the best hip hop records released
in 2012. Plus, there are a few other great tracks: Long Live A$AP, PMW (All I Really Need), LVL, Jodye, and Ghetto Symphony. However,
there rest of the album is underwhelming and disappointing – given the quality
of LiveLongA$AP and expectations for this (his major label debut).
Musically, the album has the
modern hip hop sound that has now seemingly become rather commonplace with the
success (and maybe even overuse) of producers such as Hit-Boy, T-Minus, 40, and
Clam Casino. That said, the beats do fit A$AP Rocky’s flow and style well and
most of the best tracks come from those producers. I guess I was just hoping
his album would be more sonically innovative, because that is what I expected.
A$AP Rocky does have a great
flow, and lyrically he has a few interesting things to say – but there is
nothing new or profound. Really, the album is at its best when the listener
just zones out and lets it play in the background – which is not really a
compliment, but at the same time I think that was its goal: to be something to
just chill out with.
A$AP Rocky is one of the bright
young talents in hip hop and there is some terrific stuff on LongLiveA$AP; it
is just not on the same level as recent releases from other artists leading hip
hop’s new sound as a complete album (LPs like Kendrick Lamar’s good
kid, M.A.A.D. city, ScHoolboy Q’s Habits
& Contradictions, or Danny Brown’s XXX,
to name but a few). 3/5
Essential Tracks:
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