This album starts off with “Dr. Kimble”, and moments in this is so Bronson. I love the soloing guitar int he background and Bronson’s very grimy delivery. As always, it’s littered with Pop culture references and some violent, mafioso bars. And honestly, this is right where I want to hear him, I love the howling in the background and just how charismatic he comes off, not to mention genuinely funny at points. And the overall breeziness of this track makes it practically come off like a Jazz Rap tune. I’m down for all of this. Then we have “Irishman Freestyle”, and this one sort of continues down that same Jazzy feel, with this almost coming off like some of his “S.A.A.B. Stories” EP. He’s always so confident, you never have to worry about that with Bronson. But at the same time, these horse samples are just so goofy. I mean, it’s not too annoying yet. But I just don’t get it, and I just feel like it’s not necessary. But still, this is a groovy tune. On the other hand, “Mt. Etna” is completely sloppy. I’m down with Bronson going for some Jazzy tones. But here, I feel like he’s doing just a little too much. And between that, his continued obsessions with Horse samples, and one of his least interesting verses here, this is forgettable. And it’s a shame because I do feel like there’s a lot of this track that usually feels within the realm of material I like from Bronson. And it all just ends up being this ridiculous and stupid Weed joke. And “Live from the Moon” is even worse, from the faux-live feel and that intolerable horse sample. We get this painfully bland beat that sounds like it was sampled from a Mafia movie soundtrack. And yes, on paper that should be amazing from Action. He’s just so far beyond this and should be so much better on this beat. Not to mention, these are literally some of the worst Pop Culture references I’ve ever heard.
Now, at first, I was into these new beats from Bronson. But at this point, I’m just begging him to hop on something more flamboyant. I will say though, the very laid back of “White Bronco” is actually really groovy. Yea, his performance is slick and braggadocios, but it comes off sharp. This even reminds me of some of his early, mafioso stuff. It’s a great sound from Bronson. Now, I do have to say I actually love just how over-the-top and ridiculous Bronson comes off at times. Like, on “Brutal” he sounds like an absolute animal. Which is great and all. But this one comes off a little unfocused at the end of the day, and Bronson and Meyhem Lauren never really click with the beat. However, I do like just how vicious the two come off, and Meyhem legitimately sounds great. On the other hand, “Prince Charming” is a great sound for Action. This track is groovy and soulful, and he sounds genuinely fantastic on this beat. It’s a sort of gloomy beat, and that works with his more melancholy verse. It’s a really different sound for this album, but it’s classy. Not to mention, it just shows how great Bronson can sound with a more conscious sound. But sadly, this album completely spirals out of control. “Telemundo” is legitimately strange and has a genuinely terrifying sample to start things off. And I don’t know, I just feel like this one is a little dialed in. The synths are an absolutely fucking amazing touch, and I would love to hear more of that. But Action’s verses here is so boring and snooze-worthy. Like, his pop culture references seem thrown together, and he just seems like he’s running low on ideas.
It’s ironic that “Picasso’s Ear” starts with Action telling people to wake up. The irony is, I really AM falling asleep. It’s another short tune, and I’m just not into this. These beats were classy at first, but this just isn’t doing anything for me. I mean, yea, some of the pop culture references perk me up a bit. But that’s literally all. Then we have “Ring Ring”, and what is up with all of these gloomy, uninteresting beats? Like, I wish I could go off on Bronson’s performance but it’s just so average. His performance is practically goofy at points, and to call this uninspired would be an understatement. None of this come off like Bronson wants to be here. But hey, “Swerve On Em” featuring A$AP Rocky is actually a really great finale. I actually love this Harry Fraud beat, who's done so much with Action over the years that they have great chemistry. I love the more anthemic feel to this one, and just how lively this one is. Not to mention the electronic beat is really refreshing. This is a weird tune. It’s great and all, and it’s easily track of the album. But this sounds like it belongs on another album. But hey, it’s catchy, Rocky’s performance is energetic, and Bronson sounds awesome. I don’t know where this sounds been hiding, but I’m glad it at least showed up for a few.
Rating: 6.4/10
Give A Listen To: “Dr. Kimble”, “White Bronco”, “Prince Charming”, “Swerve On Em”
Least Favorite Track: “Live from the Moon”
Genre: Hip-Hop
Overall Thoughts: This is easily, EASILY Action’s most disappointing work in a long time. While I know he’s been within some drama with Vice lately, but if this is what he’s putting out on his own holy shit is this guy out of ideas. The material here is completely uninspired and half of the time sounds like Action wants nothing to do with any of it. His Pop-Culture references seem forced, and these beats start off interesting but are just so gloomy by the end. A few tracks here are pretty awesome, but overall Action really needs a switch-up right about now.
No comments:
Post a Comment