This album starts off with “The Chase”, and this is actually a really freakin’ cool intro. Between Kadjha Bonet’s very haunting harmonies that are layered for this really fantastic effect, and this very mysterious instrumental, I’m all sorts of hyped. And what follows is some genuinely refreshing and well planned out Soul. This has a real retro vibe to it, with a lot of this reminding me of like, the “Superfly” soundtrack, as cheesy as that sounds. But Anderson’s very charismatic performance really wipes out anything cheesy about this. And in its place we get this very epic, gigantic intro with plenty of old and plenty of new coming together. It’s classy, funky, and absolutely brilliant. Then we have “Headlow” featuring Norelle. Like a lot of Anderson’s projects, the production here continues to be absolutely immaculate and genuinely creative. This one is much more on the modern side compared to the intro, with .Paak giving us a very sleazy yet likable verse. Anderson really remains so charismatic though, even when he’s at his heavier and more Rap-oriented. Mostly because he just oozes likability, and his voice is just so unique. It’s hazy, its eclectic, and it’s incredibly classy. While I personally enjoy .Paak at his more soulful, this is still wonderful. On the other hand, the upbeat and groovy Electro-Funk of “Tints” is exactly what I needed to hear right about now. This one is just so much fun, and I absolutely love hearing .Paak in these atmospheres. Like, this is the sound that I want to hear him run down more. It’s sort of old school, but it’s still got tons of very new sights and sounds that actually make it more legit. Not to mention, special Kendrick Lamar and Anderson have TONS of chemistry together, and this chorus pops so damn hard. Give me this, more of this, ALL of this, please. Now, “Who R U?” is the tamest and low-key track yet, and more importantly the most Rap oriented track we’ve heard yet. And for some, that’s going to be just fine. I do like the hectic feel and .Paak’s much more intense performance here. That enough is really interesting. But outside of that, this one still really doesn’t hit me too hard. The beat is just sort of average as well as the production. It’s not like .Paak can’t rap, it’s clear here that he can hold his own. But this is just not captivating to me. Then we have “6 Summers”, and I have to say the sort of in-the-moment feel to this one as well as .Paak’s instantly captivating performance has this album back in my good graces. There are some political undertones here, there was plenty on the last track as well. But outside of that, I think what makes this one work so well is just how timeless it comes off. Like, outside of that Trump line I feel like there are issues here that we’ve been dealing with for a long time, and sadly will probably still be for some time. But .Paak as always seems to be the slightest bit hopeful or at the very least offers up some alternatives. And it honestly ends up working really nice for him.
Oh man, but some of these throwback Soul instrumentals on tracks like “Saviers Road” give me the chills. Like, in a time where so many of these interludes are throwaway, this at the very least seems planned out and offers something to the album. It’s gloomy and downtrodden, and while it’s short I actually feel like this is one of my favorite of .Paak’s performances of the album. It’s heavy hitting, but it’s equally emotional and seriously sticks with you. It’s by far the shortest track of the bunch, but it’s brilliant and reminds me of what I loved about the “Yes Lawd!” project. “Smile / Petty” on the other hand, strips things down even further into this very steamy sort of slow jam. And honestly, it’s effective and once again doesn’t come off cheesy. Because let’s be real, this album could have been cheesy. But this continues to be a seriously tasteful blend of classic Funk, Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop. This one is once again, very personal and emotional. I love the sort of “He Said/She Said”, style here, and how Anderson goes deep into cheating and adultery. But outside of that, this one has this incredibly forward-thinking instrumental and is just such a breath of fresh air. And Anderson’s performance on the second half is absolutely flooring. Then we have “Mansa Musa”, which as far as his more-Rap oriented tracks here may just be the best of the bunch. It’s filled with animated verses from Anderson himself, Coca Sarai, and the legendary Dr. Dre. And it’s actually a really fantastic banger that gets pretty exciting. And after that last track which was this super emotional tune, it’s refreshing to hear .Paak really freak out and have some fun. On the other hand “Brother’s Keeper” steps back in time once again for this retro Soul and Funk instrumental. It’s packed with chilling harmonies floating through the background as well as soulful guitars. And on top of that, we have this fantastic beat that brings things to this century just enough. And not too shocking, but Pusha T really just seems to right at home within this atmosphere. This one ends up being wildly epic, hard-hitting, and just so damn refreshing in modern Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop. Then we have “Anywhere” which is old school in an entirely different way. This one absolutely has a throwback early 90’s Rap sound to it. And honestly, it’s not terrible. It’s certainly not awful, and Snoop Dogg’s verse oddly enough is pretty on point. But outside of that, once again I feel like this just doesn’t add up to the other tunes here. The instrumental isn’t nearly as flashy and the production really isn’t that interesting. This just sort of blows by me, which is depressing after all of the other truly fantastic moments here.
Oh gosh, but out of nowhere, we have “Trippy”, featuring J.Cole. Yes ladies and gentlemen, J.Cole, who if you’re new here you’ll need to know I don’t understand. I’ve never gotten his popularity, and let me tell you this guy is far from “Woke”. But “Trippy” is rather breezy and sweet, even if it takes forever to get rolling. But I do like the very woozy and hazy style of this one, and .Paak’s very groovy performance here is actually really likable. This is easily one of the steamier moments here. And like I said, I’m not a fan of J. Cole at all, and yes some of his bars are cringe-worthy. But here, he doesn’t sound nearly as intolerable, which is big for me to say. This isn’t the most jaw-dropping tune, but .Paak is still so ahead of the curve. On the other hand, “Cheers” ups the funk in all sorts of levels. .Paak sounds like an absolute Funk machine here, calling back to all the different sounds that he’s touched in the last few years. I love the groovy horns and the slick bass, even the distant keyboards. “Oxnard” is just such a colorful album from start to finish, and .Paak continues to have such intriguing ideas. And Q-Tip absolutely sounds right at home in between this very tasteful beat. It’s hazy and interesting, colorful, genre-bending, and an absolute breath of fresh air. And “Sweet Chick” is just as soulful and eclectic. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard so much personality I heard coming out of an artist like .Paak, but I love it. I love the freaky feel to this one and .Paak’s once again very sleazy yet amazing performance. The backing vocals are a really fantastic addition, and BJ The Chicago Kid’s guest spot is actually flooring. Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat this. I’m not into “Left to Right”. I wasn’t when I first heard it, and I’m even less into it now. Sure, it bangs and it has a hell of a beat and some colorful production. But why do I feel like this is just so safe, and nothing about this track actually gives me the feeling that this is an Anderson .Paak track. It’s just not what I expected to hear, and it’s seriously underwritten. Thankfully this album is still a triumph, but this is still disappointing.
Rating: 8.5/10
Give A Listen To: "The Chase”, “Tints”, “Brother’s Keeper”, “Smile / Petty”
Least Favorite Track: “Anywhere”
Genre: Neo Soul / Hip Hop
Overall Thoughts: Anderson .Paak returns after already achieving superstar status with a series of his most fluid and enjoyable tracks yet. For years, .Paak has seamlessly fused Hip Hop, Funk, Neo-Soul and more. But with tasteful throwbacks, an interest in Electro-Funk and Pop Rap, a star-studded guest list and more, .Paak sounds more charismatic and charming than ever. There are tasteful Jazz Rap tunes, throwback sleazy funk, modern bangers, and all sorts of other colorful gems. It’s an album that demands a few listens, but man is it ever a blast.
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