This is the official full length debut studio album from Brooklyn, New York producer & DJ Powers Pleasant. A member of the Pro Era & Beast Coast collectives, he’s had a hand in the instrumentals on some of the latter’s output from The Underachievers’ 3rd mixtape It Happened in Flatbush in 2016 to Joey Bada$$’ politically charged sophomore album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ in 2017. Powers even came out with his own EP Life is Beautiful & has signed to Mass Appeal Records for the sequel Life Sucks.
“Entro” by Denzel Curry is this cutthroat boom bap opener flexing that he’s the King of the Hill & this Mike Judge his rap skill whereas “Rumble” by Joey Bada$$ works in some horns & hi-hats so he can get violent. “Galore” by DC the Don has some of the weaker performances on the album despite it’s cloudy trap instrumental talking about being allergic to catching feelings, but then “Shmoke” by A$AP Ferg & Armani Caesar finds the pair over a soul sample & hi-hats warning y’all don’t want beef with them.
Denzel Curry, Meechy Darko & Soulja Livin Tru get together for the atmospheric trap joint “Bandoe” flexing that all 3 of them are still boomin’ out the back door just before Joey Bada$$ & SABA team up on the laidback “Ball Alone” talking about not needing any help. “Know Me Now” by DC the Don acoustically sings that he wants to love with no control leading into “That’s Tough” by $not mixing trap & rock discussing doing shit himself tryna find his way.
“Pamper Pamper” by Mike Dimes brings a soulful trap flare to the table pulling out with his homies while “Baby Boy’s Drunk” by AG Club & Audrey Nuna comes through with this annoying attempt at a club banger. “I’m the Shit” by Guapdad 4000 & P-Lo hops over pianos & hi-hats to get boastful while “Wassup” by Jasiah & Tkay Maidza sees the 2 asking what the deal is. “SMH” by Aaron Rose, CJ Fly, Joey Bada$$ & Nyck Caution ends the album repping Pro Era.
The predecessor from 5 years ago Life’s Beautiful was a decent look at what Powers Pleasant’s solo discography could look like going forward & regardless if I didn’t enjoy Life Sucks more than the last EP, I can’t say it’s any worse either if that makes any sense. Powers’ production start to finish is absolutely fine primarily basing itself around a trap sound, the performances during the 36 minute runtime on the contrary tend to be hit or miss.
Score: 3/5
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