2nd studio LP of 2026 & the 16th overall from Chicago, Illinois emcee Novatore. Breaking out as a member of the Infamous Crew, he’s also built up an impressive solo career over nearly a decade by dropping 4 EPs & an acclaimed collaborative effort with A.M. Early Morning produced by Stu Bangas called Kingdom of Criminality & it’s recent sequel produced by Johnny Slash. Other highlights include Louie, Louie II, Embrace the Darkness, Portrait of a Madman, Embrace the Darkness II: Explorers of Experience, Master of Morbid Creations, Living in the End Times, Alchemy & Black Magic, his Goon MuSick debut The 87 Arsonist & the Brenx-produced Agoraphobia. Embrace the Darkness III became his greatest material since signing to the label, coming off Pale Horse of the Apocalypse to run it back with C-Lance on Machines.
After the intro, “Metal Hands” flows over a boom bap instrumental to kick things off talking about being the man whereas the 2nd single “Apple Pie” featuring Copywrite finds the 2 linking up so they can get in their battle rap bags lyrically. “Casket” talked about considering death a beautiful escape in a paranoid state of mind & once the title track featuring Merkules joins forces to wipe out any team threatening them, “Terminator ‘91” ends the 1st half discussing his love for horror films.
“Devil in the Pale Moon” begins the 2nd half pulling the curtain back on artists who claim murder rap when it’s nothing more than suburban rap leading into “Action Stars” featuring A.M. Early Morning talks about neither one of them needing a stunt double. “Lords of Chaos” featuring Lord Goat provides the pinnacle of hardcore hip hop for only a couple minutes while the 3rd & final single “Message from Beyond” appropriately concludes Machines talking about the end being nearer than initially believed.
Retaining the dark tradition of Novatore’s whole sound, C-Lance runs it back with him to further reveal how much he’s evolved artistically since Louie II & the Embrace the Darkness trilogy Pale Horse of the Apocalypse in becoming my favorite of the 2 full-lengths the Chi-Town artist has dropped this year. His hardcore lyricism & C-Lance’s production have come a long way since the turn of the decade, but I was happy to see a condensed guest list.
Hartford, Connecticut emcee Fuego Base releasing a sequel to his full-length studio debut in the form of a sophomore effort. Getting his start a few years ago off his debut EP Tell My Momma Imma Rapper, he would continue to build up his catalog by going on to drop another EP called Tell My Momma Imma Rapper Still & the Say Dat mixtape trilogy prior to Buffalo’s very own Benny the Butcher signed Fuego to Black Soprano Family Records. Coming off Biggest Since Camby as well as Say Dat 4: Proof of What God Do & Tell My Momma I’m Still a Rapper, he wants the world to know he’s Still the Biggest.
“Barbour St” strips the drums to open up shop talking about being in the hood because he’s a product of it instead of being poverty stricken whereas “Hartford” takes the boom bap route instrumentally for an ode to his hometown. The title track featuring Benny the Butcher finds the pair linking up to talk about how Fuego’s spot as the hottest prospect in his city hasn’t changed while ‘“93” discusses not knowing who one is until life tests you.
Sule appears for “T.E.I.O.” (To Each Is Own)” talking about making the bail & running along with rappers being 40 not doing shit with their careers leading into “Open Book” kicks off the 2nd half explaining the very reason he gives fans all of himself in his music. “Getting Out” talks about death, prison or copping a bigger house being the only choices possible of escaping the streets while “Rejoice” preaches hymns for his kinfolk somehow emerging where throats stay slit.
“Thank God 2” talks about touching people whenever he opens his mouth to speak & having an addiction to the game as bad as the junkies he served dope to while “Honda 2 Rari” cavernously admits he wouldn’t know where his mental state would’ve been if his squad wasn’t there for him when his mother passed away. The outro “Survivor’s Remorse 2” sends off Still the Biggest talking about not changing anything if he had the opportunity of rewriting his story.
3 & a half years since Fuego Base declared himself the Biggest Since Camby after signing to B$F, he’s continuing to let the work he’s putting in speak for itself several months since he & Benny linked up for their Ashes in the $afe collaborative extended play to deliver an exceptional sequel to his full-length studio debut. Was somewhat disappointed with the production lacking the same heavy hitters that made Still the Biggest’s counterpart so impressive, but there’s no denying his status within Hartford hasn’t changed since.
Nottingham, England, United Kingdom rapper & producer Skaiwater celebrating their birthday with their 4th studio LP. Beginning in 2019 off their debut EP After God Fear Eve, the 4ersona member would go on to put out 7 more EPs along with a mixtape & a couple albums, the most notable being their 2024 sophomore effort #Gigi under GoodTalk Records & Capitol Records fully realizing on the potential that was shown on their earlier material. wonderful was the most rage-inducing entry of their catalog & they’re ending the month giving fans what they’ve wanted for a long time: femme fatale.
The self-produced “vampires, zombies” drumlessly kicks things off confessing to their astrological girlfriend that they feel like their relationship’s beginning to move backwards whereas the single “Hitunes” blends plugg & Asian rock thanks to BenjiCold making attempts at fucking the lights outta this Texas woman. “delilah” co-produced by Internet Money Records in-house producer Nico Baran vibrantly talks about getting drunk on the weekends prior to “ella” hooking up this pitched vocal sample so they can get their girl anything she wants.
“WEVERSE” talks about him sobering up from alcohol as a result of a hangover that fucked their whole entire life up while “nana” concludes the 1st leg confronting a chick for playing them like some kinda fool. “angels” begins the 2nd half asking his baby girl if she forgot where she came from & needing her by their side because their love doesn’t go to waste just before “sophia” featuring Sophie Gray comes through with a duet about a couple feeling better around each other.
Meanwhile with “BAITFACE”, we have the tiger lily running it back with BenjiCold telling a hoe to cut off her friends & acknowledging her love for cocaine while “radar, radar” talks about having their eyes locked on this wealthy baddie in a club. “foreigner” winds down the last few moments of femme fatale flexing they’ve been rich since 19 & being with someone whose father doesn’t mind them being British over a dancehall beat while the closing track “JUMP” concludes the half hour wearing Rick Owens boots when servin’ pack.
Originally set to come out at last Christmas following the artwork being unveiled nearly 12 months ago until getting scraped in favor of wonderful back in February, I couldn’t think of a better way for Skaiwater to commemorate their day than to finish the most anticipated album of their entire career largely handling the pop rap, Afroswing, pop reggae, dancehall, zouk, coupé-décalé, trap, plugg & Asian rock production by themself other than BenjiCold & Nico Baran making some unparalleled contributions of their own expressing their appreciation for the female divine energy.
Atlanta, Georgia record label YSL Records founded by Young Thug dropping their 3rd showcase compilation & their first since going independent. Releasing both Slime Language & it’s sequel in tandem with 300 Entertainment & Atlantic Records, the whole roster has since been revamped after Thug came home including the Tezzus as well as his Uy Scuti Bøyz cohort diamond* & more recently iyrus. However coming off The Resurrectiøn & Bling Slime this summer, Slime Language III looks to conclude the trilogy with a double disc chapter.
“Gotta Love Us” by Young Thug & diamond* featuring BSlime & Pz’ produced by Wheezy talks about laying out everyone going against them whereas “ØWAYSL” by Thug & Tezzus featuring BSlime, Rob49 & Sk8star references the greatest QB of all-time Tom Brady over a PROJECT4PLAY instrumental. “What’s Up Mami” by Thug featuring Biggs Money finds the pair hideously taking a more seductive approach in terms of subject matter while “Mob Guys” by Biggs Money, Lil Unky & Quavo talks about being gangstas.
Lil Unky sticks around with Young Thug on “Function” talking about pulling up to 10 hoes at the spot just before “Club Outside” by Thug featuring Lil Baby gets London on da Track with Southside discussing transforming the trap house into a studio since making music’s more fun anyway. “Wait for It” by BSlime & Papito El Franklins was a moment I could’ve done without delivering a boring pop rap/trap crossover talking about their success until “Eaters” by Thug & Tezzus featuring Future, Travis Scott & Yeat unites for an ode to sex.
“Grandma’s Baby” by Young Thug featuring Veeze links up so they can talk about their grandmothers’ raising them in the projects of the ATL & Detroit respectively over a sample-driven trap beat leading into “Black Friday” by Thug featuring Lito the Plug boasting that bitches love when they’re in their gangsta bags. “Myself” by Thug featuring Biggs Money talks about preferring being rich instead of not having food for a day over a Mike WiLL Made-It instrumental while “Ønly ØWay” by Tezzus featuring Skrilla quenches for blood whilst standing on business.
The Uy Scuti Bøyz accompany Young Thug for the single “Hood of Atlanta” representing their hometown over a Feardorian beat while “YSL” by Yume featuring Thug shifts towards a largely melodic direction for a trap soul duet repping their set. “Crocodile Skin” by BSlime brings a more playful aura to the table instrumentally only knowing these Ws they’re catching regardless of the average performances while “Tezzus & diamond*” by the Uy Scuti Bøyz featuring Cash Cobain & Quavo talks about all 4 artists living their lives like stoners.
“Shawty Shawty” by Young Thug featuring HittMan bogs the quality down again uneventfully calling for their goes to come to the spot & drop it for them while “Biggest Since Mike Jack” pairs Jorjiana, Lito the Plug & Sk8star talking about being the most popular Indiana celebrity since the late King of Pop when Tyrese Haliburton’s had that spot for some time. “We Dead” by Thug featuring Trippie Redd spends a couple minutes getting materialistic while “Bvlgari” by iyrus & Yung Kayo featuring Biggs Money, Lil Unky, Lito the Plug concludes Disc 1 chartering shit for 8 minutes with iyrus & Kayo each spitting the hardest verses.
iyrus & Young Thug kick off Disc 2 having Lil Unky & Pz’ joining them during the playful sounding “Believe That” talking about YSL being the hottest imprint out in the streets while “Cha Ney Ney” by Thug & the Uy Scuti Bøyz looks to go high top with the Balenciaga over a rage beat. Another single “Consummate” by Tezzus & Thug maintains the hypertrap elements talking about wanting to fuck their partners while “Tonight” by diamond* & 1300SAINT hops over an Honorable C.N.O.T.E. instrumental speaking of the team rockin’ red for an evening.
“NaNaNa” chiefly feels like a diamond* solo joint since he’s handling both the verses by himself other than Sk8star providing a few lines towards the 2nd & final one while “Say Dat” by iyrus, Young Thug & 1300SAINT talks about the trio originating in the belly of the beast. “Baddies” by Biggs Money & Cash Cobain got a chuckle outta me since it’s that bad of an attempt at going sexy drill while the 2-parter “Birthday” by Thug featuring Bay Swag & once again Cash Cobain was only a slight improvement in comparison.
Taurus gets behind the boards for “Switch Up” by Young Thug featuring BSlime talking about betrayal over some acoustics & hi-hats while “Weird” by Thug featuring Biggs Money & Lil Unky confronts individuals for acting stranger than usual around them. “Freaky Girl” by diamond* hooks up an iyrus beat that reminds me of GTA VI talking about being with a bad bitch who likes to get wild behind closed doors while “Bounce It” by Biggs Money & YKNIECE whips up a blandly redundant ass-shaker.
“Snakes on My Collar” by diamond* & the late Lil Keed was actually a profoundly bittersweet moment like having both of YSL’s past & present generations colliding while “Stole It from Us” by iyrus & the Uy Scuti Bøyz talks about people stealing their swag over a pluggy Pi’erre Bourne instrumental. “Fernando Mendoza” by Tezzus featuring Lil Unky & Sk8star shouts out the Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie QB of the same name while “Countin’ Up” by Young Thug featuring Lil Righteous talks about thumbin’ through stacks.
Tezzus & Yung Kayo have Lito the Plug joining them for the bell-woven “Skyami” boasting they kill shit similarly to a theatrical film whole “Lil Bruh” by Young Thug featuring Biggs Money talks about winding up dead if one even dares of testing them. “Losing Sleep” by diamond* & Yume goes full alternative R&B/trap soul promising to make each others’ dreams become reality while “What It Do” by Thug & his brother Unfoonk at last puts an end to Slime Language III with a conflicted country trap outro.
This Halloween will be 2 whole years since Young Thug came home & considering the amount of time he’s spent since to rebuild YSL Records now they’ve gone independent signing some of the biggest trap artists in recent memory, it gave me the impression of Slime Language III possibly surpassing both it’s predecessors to become the saga’s finest entry. There are several instances where I liked the performances & production, but it overstays it’s welcome after a bit as a result of being ridiculously bloated & would imagine myself revisiting it more if all the needless filler was removed.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada alternative R&B duo Majid Jordan consisting of singer Majid Al Maskati & producer Jordan Ullman are back for their 5th studio LP. Forming in 2011, it wasn’t until a couple years later when 40 signed them to OVO Sound & was featured on their mentor Drake’s hit single “Hold On, We’re Going Home”. Their 2nd extended play A Place Like This stood tall as the best project in their catalog until their previous full-length Good People dropped in the fall of 2023, finding them stuck between 2 Roads hours after former 2-time TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Maggie Lee became the inaugural TNA Knockouts Television Champion in Brampton.
“Have I Gone Too Far?” made for a cloudy alternative R&B intro singing about a woman giving Majid a broken heart in exchange for more than love whereas “Cold” blends PBR&B with synthpop demanding an answer regarding why he feels so alone. “Strangers” moodily sings about a couple being newcomers to each other in an alternate universe “Rich Man” expresses the desire of living in a crazy world & being in this woman’s arms makes him feel wealthy.
Continuing from there, “Rather Be with You” sings about wanting to cancel his plans & become a better man with his soulmate by his side just before “See You Again” goes for a more standard alternative R&B vibe promising to do anything to see this woman smiling again. “Dream” sings about only wanting what’s best for him & his lover leading into “Best Behaviour” featuring Clementine Douglas kicking off the 2nd half with a duet depicting a couple surrounding each other.
“Things Just Feel Better” maintains an atmospheric tone singing about everything improving around Majid when his partner’s around him while “The Reason” dabbles with trap soul letting this female know she’s exactly why he popped out for the evening. “Look What You’ve Done” confronts a girl who he believes is the cause of making him lose his entire sense of self while “Island Time” sings about making love in the evening like it’s all they know although I was disappointed at Naomi Sharon doing background vocals instead of having a verse.
The song “Every Last Bit of My Love” pens an open letter to someone he’s missing more & more by the day sending her all the affection he has in his might to make her feel like he’s there with her while “Thank You” sings about the gratitude he has for this person cherishing him, realizing this relationship was eternally meant to be. The harmoniously stripped-back title track ends 2 Roads assuring the limits you can bear & how to persevere will be learned sooner rather than later.
If Good People was the album Majid Jordan needed to rival the extended play they put out prior to being signed, then 2 Roads returns to the averageness that has defined a great bulk of the material they’ve made since joining the OVO roster over a decade earlier. Jordan Ullman’s production incorporates secondary influences of synthpop along with new jack swing & soft rock into the pairing’s signature alternative R&B sound with Majid Al Maskati either relishing in infatuation or wallowing in heartache.
Sera Cahoone is a 51 year old singer/songwriter from Littleton, Colorado who introduced herself 2 decades ago with an eponymous full-length studio debut. She has since been signed to Sub Pop Records, who dropped the sophomore effort Only as the Day is Long & Deer Creek Canyon to wide praise. Last time we heard from her was in 2017 when From Where I Started came out under her own label Lady Muleskinner Records. Almost a decade later & she’s returning to Sub Pop to distribute her 5th studio LP.
“High & Low” kicks things off with an Americana opener singing about a relationship that feels like a rollercoaster the way it’s constantly going up & down whereas “Say Something” combines an electric guitar with some pianos admitting she hasn’t been herself in 2026 although she would very much to try. “No One Like You” goes for a singer/songwriter vibe depicts a couple sticking together through the roughest times while “Not How I Hoped” sings about the disappointment that comes with relationships.
Meanwhile on “Horse Runnin’”, we have Sera expressions her infatuation over someone she met going for a more contemporary country direction instrumentally just before “Pulling Up Roots” reminiscent of the late Loretta Lynn sings about overcoming all the bullshit life throws at you. “Supposed to Be” comes to terms with the past taking more inspiration from singer/songwriter leading into “Hits Right” singing about the relatable feeling of being out of place amongst a group of people going Americana.
“Tangled Nights” continues the remaining moments of this album’s final act yearning for intimacy over a guitar, bass, Hammond organ & accordion while “I’m No Fool” sings about feeling uncertain towards her partner spending a few minutes getting back in her Americana for the last time. The closing track “Something Good” wraps up I’ve Missed You All These Years with this 3 & a half minute singer/songwriter outro describing an unexpected love that brings fulfillment in her life.
A lot has happened to Sera Cahoone since From Where I Started whether it be the deaths of her best friend alongside her father & dog to developing her skills as a producer, coming back to Sub Pop after feeling like an impostor during her initial tenure for the label reintroducing fans to the truest version of herself artistically. Her production solidly combines elements of blues, folk, pop, Americana, alt-country & singer/songwriter to help the world find comfort in community & rediscovering ourselves by connecting with the people we love in the midst of the storm clearing.
Prince was a 57 year old singer/songwriter, musician, producer, dancer, actor & filmmaker from Minneapolis, Minnesota known for pioneering the Minneapolis sound. Dirty Mind, 1999, the soundtrack to his theatrical debut Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day & Sign “☮︎” the Times under Warner Records would all become some of the 80’s most celebrated material although The Gold Experience through his own label NPG Records can certainly hang with them. This spring marked a whole decade already since his passing & his estate has dug up his 2nd posthumous solo LP albeit the 42nd in his deeply massive discography succeeding Welcome 2 America.
“I Am You” opens up with this soulfully funky intro interestingly dating back to the For You sessions pleading for his lover to stay whereas “Heaven” comes through with an Around the World in a Day outtake singing about the pearly gates coming to Earth itself. “I Wonder” was recorded around the same time as the soundtrack to Batman & the soundtrack to Graffiti Bridge respectively pondering if this woman really knows how much he loves her while “With This Tear” covers the Céline Dion track of the same name.
Kicking off the 2nd half, “Stone” keeps it funky asking who can say why he & this woman are cold with nothing left just before “Calabama” predates the n•e•w•s sessions for a disco/pop rap crossover having all the ladies clapping their hands. “The Guilty Ones” embraces a funk rock direction singing about winning people over without having to say a single word while “Bestest Friend” sends off Timeless addressing someone he once considered an extremely close ally, proclaiming every painter needs a muse.
Timeless retains the same lasting power Welcome 2 America had showcasing the extraordinary consistency, curiosity & creative ambition that defined Prince’s work throughout his life tracing his remarkable artistic evolution across nearly 4 decades from his teenage prodigy days to one of his last recorded performances. Neither Piano & a Microphone 1983 or Originals count as posthumous albums since both of those were comprised of demos, but this 2nd rare opportunity of hearing previously unheard chapters of his creative journey makes you miss him more varying between pop rock, contemporary R&B, funk rock, synth funk, dance-pop & none other than the Minneapolis sound.
Abi & Alan are a superduo consisting of Dallas, Texas singer/songwriter, producer, DJ & actress Erykah Badualongside Beverly Hills, California producer, DJ & emcee The Alchemist. One of whom because the Queen of Neo-Soul off Baduizm & Mama’s Gun while the other is one of my top 10 producers of all-time. They haven’t worked directly with one another until now, but Badu’s independent debut following Control Freaq Records’ new distribution deal with Young Recordings coming in the form of their full-length studio debut was a more than welcoming celebration of her freedom from Motown Records.
“Echos” begins with a powerful ode to black resilience over this hypnotic instrumental backing her whereas “I Just Play a Part” featuring Creole Princess continues the atmospheric soundscapes so both of them can discuss being who others wish they were. “Crossfade” gives off a smoky neo-soul vibe singing for this guy to no longer seek love from her just before the 2nd single “Witch Doctor” blends neo-soul with psychedelic soul, progressive soul, tribal ambient & bend-skin to portray herself as a natural healer.
D.R.A.M. appears on “Valentine” describing a woman who’s attracted to a fuckboy in disguise until the lead single “Next 2 U” samples “The Realest” by Mobb Deep featuring Kool G Rap which a lot of people hated even though I didn’t seem to care because Uncle Al produced that too. “Love Me Not” lusciously comes through asking her partner if their relationship was a game to him while “Breezy” reaches the halfway point describing a lady who enjoys parting by herself.
“To the Moon / Plan C” featuring Steve Lacy after the “Abracadabra” interlude kicks off the 2nd leg with an astonishing 2-parter finding 2 lovers settling down since life will always come by quickly while “They Ain’t You” pretty much sings about sticking out amongst the other fish in the sea. “What the People Say (Apostle 1)” hops over a colorful boom bap beat dismissing whatever opinions others hold regarding her while “Hot BiBi (Apostle 2)” picks up where the previous track left off raising the pitch of her voice for a couple minutes.
Westside Gunn pops out during “No I.D.” shouting out the Chicago veteran himself, his mentee Ye formerly known as Kanye West, Pharrell, the late J Dilla, DJ Premier & Dr. Dre in case neither of them can get a hold of Uncle Al while “I Know That Man” by Earl Sweatshirt talks about desiring to be seen as good in the eyes of that which created us. “Black Box” sends off up Before the World Blows with this jazzy closer taking a spoken word approach in terms of delivery.
Originally announced last summer, Abi & Alan finally make up for the delays their debut suffered because of their initial distribution deal with EMPIRE falling apart uniting 2 of the greatest in their friends for the first time ever making some of the most potent R&B music of 2026. Alchemist’s production fuses neo-soul, hip hop, conscious hip hop, psychedelic soul, progressive soul, tribal ambient & bend-skin contemplating which parts of ourselves & our stories are worth protecting Before the World Blows.
Lancey Foux is a 30 year old rapper, singer/songwriter, producer, model & designer from Stratford, London, England, United Kingdom who made his full-length debut Pink back in 2015. He has since dropped 6 more full-lengths along with 5 mixtapes & an EP, with both Friend or Foux & Life in Hell each being singled out as his most widely celebrated material. However now that he’s signed to RCA Records, I had a good feeling his 8th studio LP & major label debut would be a huge milestone for him.
“Reap What You Sow” begins talking about the fast life feeling slow to him as well as being out of control & being soulless whereas the rage-inducing “Seeing to It” discusses his wealth. “To the Money” featuring Finessekid finds the pair poppin’ out to see if the women they’re romantically involved with truly love them or not leading into “Lingo Bingo” treads the hypertrap waters once again talking about keeping 1 in the hat for him & holdin’ a check for him.
Bugz Ronin & Skaiwater cook up one of my favorite instrumentals on the album with “Who Do You Love?” talking about being the one this female wants while “Change Your Mind” talks about having the ability of making a chick reconsider riding for him until the wheels fall off since she can’t take her eyes off him. “Naked on a Yacht” takes the plugg route speaking of having a girl & her friend in their birthday suits on a boat while “All My Girls” talks about every single one of his hoes doing the most for him.
“Rockstar Rider” hops over a self-produced rage/jerk beat playin’ it cool whilst stacking up money once again while “All the Time” comes through with a celebratory 2-parter because he’s always catching Ws & betting this baddie she won’t wait for the sun to come up. “Wait for the Sun (Sugar)” appropriately continues from there asking his partner why she has to leave while “I Don’t Wanna Know” kicks off the 2nd leg deciding he has no interest in hearing lies.
As for “Miss the Night”, we have Lancey confessing of thinking about an ex accepting he’s been so lost ever since the breakup along with figuring out where they went wrong while “Body” combines pop rap & alternative R&B with synth-funk talking about a woman he can’t stop dealing with. The energizing “Tell ‘Em Who It Is” proclaims himself “Mr. Never Miss” for a boss bitch he takes charge for while “Therapist” talks about not needing therapy because he’s in the mirror with the truth.
“When It Rains It Pours” admits he had to learn the game the hard way & being a made man while “Trying My Best” talks about attempting to find himself again when he feels dead inside. “Everything Works Out” assures all problems will eventually sort itself out when they’re all sidelined & after “A Whole Lot” talks about everything he has going for him, the outro “Porsche Poet” sends off The Time of Our Lives sampling “Soul Mates” by Q.T. Hush featuring the late Teena Marie planning this out from the get go.
Sometimes whenever an artist signs to a major label, they end up not seeing the same success of being independent because their entire style gets watered down but thankfully The Time of Our Lives simultaneously stays true to who Lancey Foux has always been & steps out of his comfort zone more than he has in the past. The captivatingly creative trap, pop rap, rage & alternative R&B production explores some new sounds & the songwriting’s some of his most honest, detailing his lived experiences & asking whether or not his 20s were enjoyable.
Mike D is a 60 year old MC, musician, songwriter & producer from Manhattan, New York who blew up back in the 80s as 1/3 of the Beastie Boys alongside Ad-Rock & of course the late MCA. They would go on to drop 8 consistently praised full-lengths together preceding their disbandment towards the conclusion of my freshman year of high school following MCA’s death. Nobody in the group has ever put out any solo material until this point, so for Mike to recording a full-length studio debut under Capitol Records peaked my curiosity.
“Switch Up” combines breakbeat, experimental hip hop & experimental rock for a lead single talking about changing things every now & then whereas “What We Got” goes for a more standard east coast hip hop vibe speaking of self-doubt & having a backup plan once he retires from music. “True Colors” fuses breakbeat & neo-psychedelia for a reflection of when the Beastie Boys were younger just before “That’s Right” embraced an electro vibe talking about receiving confused looks regardless of what he does.
Continuing from there with “Secrets”, we have Mike D coming through with a 2-parter with a danceable opening & a lyrically repetitive counterpart revealing little to no secrets whatsoever leading into “I Don’t Care” taking a swampier approach instrumentally talking about being the guy to count on. “Make It Stop” speaks of our worlds being filled with drama because of everyone having their own traumatic experiences while the 4th & final single “Crypto” satirically pokes fun at greed.
“Here We Are” wraps up the final moments of Thank You talking about being lost in the dark looking for the door while “Back to Start” strips things back singing not to pass go if one’s looking to return to where they began. “It’s Time” talks about there being so much shit he wants to do despite all these things he needs to complete & the title track spends the remaining moments of Mike’s solo debut looking back at his youthful days 1 last time.
If anyone’s expecting Thank You to sound anything like what the Beastie Boys have done as a trio, then you’re probably not gonna get a kick outta this album so much but I applaud Mike D for trying something different with the help of his sons. The breakbeat, experimental hip hop, electronic dance music, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, indietronica, electro & swamp rock production paired with his vulnerable lyrics feels like a bridge between the gap that was left when MCA passed & this new creative direction he’s following.
