This album starts out with "Act 1: Ascension”, and I honestly don’t want to take too much away from this intro. Because you know, it’s just that, an intro. But how are we 1 minute in and I’m already questioning why the hell I should care about Bishop. This may be a one minute intro, but Bishop is already making it sound like he’s a name we should know. News flash, you haven’t proved anything to anyone, no matter who you know. I’m already just grumpy as hell about this. Thankfully, I do think “Driftin’” is a very classy track that can really give us a good look at what Bishop has been up to. Kaytranada’s production gives this a very bouncy, airy feel that I think is actually really interesting. But, let’s talk about Bishop’s performance because he sounds fantastic. Here, he has the swagger that he usually has on plenty of his early tunes, but he sounds so confident here that he ends up coming off like the essence of cool that he’s always strived to be. Some of his wordplay may be some of his best, and here I can honestly say for a few minutes, I certainly get the hype. The very obtuse, left field beats to continue with “No Idea”. But I’m not nearly as into this one. Bishop for a few minutes was carrying himself so well, here he just sounds like an outsider in the worst way. There’s nothing cool or classy about this, he just sounds like some kid again to me. And while the previous track had so many memorable bars, “No Idea” isn’t nearly as interesting. The same old problems still plague Bishop so much.
Now, I do like the sort of low-key groove on “The Game of Life”, and the much more laid back beat. The horns are a classy touch as well, and while the last track seemed just so desperate to be “Alternative”, this one comes off legitimately left-field. I absolutely love when Bishop gets a little more aggressive, and here he just comes off so much more confident. But why the hell are there so many cheesy moments here? Like that chorus, are you absolutely serious Bishop? I can’t take that seriously, not even if I wanted to. I think his technicality is actually out in full effect as usual. But structurally Bishop is still a fish out of water. “Get Away” once again brings Bishop back to the more laid-back sound of early tracks here. But I just can’t take so much of this seriously still. Bishops verse here isn’t nearly as skillful as I’ve heard him in the past. Just the opposite though here, cause he sounds like a straight-up Odd Future reject, in the worst way. So much of this track is just idiotic and a wasted of my time. And not for nothing, I’m not crazy about the beat either. If there’s supposed to be a sort of narrative here, I’m lost. But just like every other Bishop Nehru project, there are some moments of serious greatness here. “Up, Up & Away” featuring Lion Babe is an absolutely soaring anthem out of nowhere. Bishop here doesn’t just sound confident, he displays every skill he’s ever talked about endlessly. That, alongside a seriously classy beat and an incredibly memorable hook by Lion Babe, actually makes for one of the best tunes Bishop has penned. He doesn’t sound bratty or conceited, he just sounds really talented. There are some memorable lines, some really creative wordplay, and this track as a whole just puts me in such a great mood. Obviously, Bishop CAN write a great tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sQMkzs1W-M
Act 2 of this concept album, let’s not forget there is some concept here, starts off with "Act II: Free Falling”. And I’m not going to take anything away from this mere second's long intro, but like, what is this doing? This whole concept, what the hell even is this album Bishop? However, the low-key funk and solid grooves of “Taserz” actually wakes me up quickly. Bishop’s performance here is easily his most up-front and no-nonsense verse here. He’s just so intense and seriously aggressive. And a lot of the effects on his voice here honestly could have been so cheesy, but I’m actually floored by this, even if it feels a little incomplete. But with “Again & Again”, I’m right back to seriously not being into a lot of this. No, his half-baked mumblings here aren’t doing him any good, and this beat isn’t nearly as interesting as it could have been. By the way, did I mention MF Doom himself produced the entire second half of this album? Oh boy. The fact that Bishop can go from totally charismatic to laughably boring and repetitive this quickly is actually ridiculously. I feel like a 10-year-old could have written a more interesting and memorable verse. Not to mention, he really can’t handle this beat at all, as it’s literally eating him alive by this tracks finale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmk1HmFbXBk
But in true Bishop Nehru fashion, he really bounces back with “Potassium” and comes through with a very sleek, interesting Alternative Rap jam. I have to be honest though, some of the beats from MF Doom aren’t nearly as up to snuff as they should be. But as far as Bishop goes, he sounds like he can really handle himself here. It’s upbeat, there are some really great bars, and it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Like, there are actually some ridiculously tongue-twisting moments towards the end of “Potassium”, I’m impressed. But “Rollercoasting”, like so much of this album and Bishop’s career in general, is painfully average. This isn’t the worst track I’ve heard, not even close. But there’s just nothing special about this track. Half of the time, the production, and the beat is so much more interesting than anything Bishop is doing. Like he really thinks that this is the next big, epic Hip Hop masterpiece. And you know what, I honestly think he COULD make that in the future. But this album isn’t it, not even close. Thankfully, “Rooftops” is just a fairly straightforward, classy Hip Hop tune to end this off. There are some real moments of brilliance here. Bishop doesn’t sound like he’s winding down, he’s just getting started practically. Not to mention, this is just the sort of hip, the interesting beat he should be on 24/7. Not for nothing, this may be one of the best tunes he’s ever come out with. It’s upbeat and confident, and most importantly, there’s no gimmick in sight. Bishop one day is gonna be a real start, but he’s not quite there yet.
Now, I do like the sort of low-key groove on “The Game of Life”, and the much more laid back beat. The horns are a classy touch as well, and while the last track seemed just so desperate to be “Alternative”, this one comes off legitimately left-field. I absolutely love when Bishop gets a little more aggressive, and here he just comes off so much more confident. But why the hell are there so many cheesy moments here? Like that chorus, are you absolutely serious Bishop? I can’t take that seriously, not even if I wanted to. I think his technicality is actually out in full effect as usual. But structurally Bishop is still a fish out of water. “Get Away” once again brings Bishop back to the more laid-back sound of early tracks here. But I just can’t take so much of this seriously still. Bishops verse here isn’t nearly as skillful as I’ve heard him in the past. Just the opposite though here, cause he sounds like a straight-up Odd Future reject, in the worst way. So much of this track is just idiotic and a wasted of my time. And not for nothing, I’m not crazy about the beat either. If there’s supposed to be a sort of narrative here, I’m lost. But just like every other Bishop Nehru project, there are some moments of serious greatness here. “Up, Up & Away” featuring Lion Babe is an absolutely soaring anthem out of nowhere. Bishop here doesn’t just sound confident, he displays every skill he’s ever talked about endlessly. That, alongside a seriously classy beat and an incredibly memorable hook by Lion Babe, actually makes for one of the best tunes Bishop has penned. He doesn’t sound bratty or conceited, he just sounds really talented. There are some memorable lines, some really creative wordplay, and this track as a whole just puts me in such a great mood. Obviously, Bishop CAN write a great tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sQMkzs1W-M
Act 2 of this concept album, let’s not forget there is some concept here, starts off with "Act II: Free Falling”. And I’m not going to take anything away from this mere second's long intro, but like, what is this doing? This whole concept, what the hell even is this album Bishop? However, the low-key funk and solid grooves of “Taserz” actually wakes me up quickly. Bishop’s performance here is easily his most up-front and no-nonsense verse here. He’s just so intense and seriously aggressive. And a lot of the effects on his voice here honestly could have been so cheesy, but I’m actually floored by this, even if it feels a little incomplete. But with “Again & Again”, I’m right back to seriously not being into a lot of this. No, his half-baked mumblings here aren’t doing him any good, and this beat isn’t nearly as interesting as it could have been. By the way, did I mention MF Doom himself produced the entire second half of this album? Oh boy. The fact that Bishop can go from totally charismatic to laughably boring and repetitive this quickly is actually ridiculously. I feel like a 10-year-old could have written a more interesting and memorable verse. Not to mention, he really can’t handle this beat at all, as it’s literally eating him alive by this tracks finale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmk1HmFbXBk
But in true Bishop Nehru fashion, he really bounces back with “Potassium” and comes through with a very sleek, interesting Alternative Rap jam. I have to be honest though, some of the beats from MF Doom aren’t nearly as up to snuff as they should be. But as far as Bishop goes, he sounds like he can really handle himself here. It’s upbeat, there are some really great bars, and it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Like, there are actually some ridiculously tongue-twisting moments towards the end of “Potassium”, I’m impressed. But “Rollercoasting”, like so much of this album and Bishop’s career in general, is painfully average. This isn’t the worst track I’ve heard, not even close. But there’s just nothing special about this track. Half of the time, the production, and the beat is so much more interesting than anything Bishop is doing. Like he really thinks that this is the next big, epic Hip Hop masterpiece. And you know what, I honestly think he COULD make that in the future. But this album isn’t it, not even close. Thankfully, “Rooftops” is just a fairly straightforward, classy Hip Hop tune to end this off. There are some real moments of brilliance here. Bishop doesn’t sound like he’s winding down, he’s just getting started practically. Not to mention, this is just the sort of hip, the interesting beat he should be on 24/7. Not for nothing, this may be one of the best tunes he’s ever come out with. It’s upbeat and confident, and most importantly, there’s no gimmick in sight. Bishop one day is gonna be a real start, but he’s not quite there yet.
Rating: 6.7/10
Give A Listen To: "Driftin'", "Up, Up & Away", "Taserz", "Rooftops"
Genre: Hip Hop / Alternative Hip Hop / Jazz Rap
Overall Thoughts: Once again, and I'm really not shocked to say it, but it honestly seems like Bishop Nehru has all the tools to succeed. His flow is great, his wordplay is stellar, and he hops on a lot of really great production. But this is like his 5th project, and I still have absolutely no clue who he is. He may have the technique down, but Bishop's personality is nowhere to be found. And it's really a shame because some of his catchiest and best-written tunes land here. But overall this album is awkward and has so many tunes that just don't work for me.
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