Tag: Danger Mouse

Gnarls Barkley – “Atlanta” review

Gnarls Barkley is a neo-soul duo from Atlanta, Georgia consisting of producer Danger Mouse & singer/songwriter Cee-Lo Green. Both of whom met each other in the late 90s when Cee-Lo was performing at the University of Georgia & Danger Mouse won a contest to DJ the show. Their debut single “Crazy” celebrating its 2-decade anniversary next weekend would become one of the biggest hits of the 2000s, later dropping the full-length debut St. Elsewhere & a sophomore effort The Odd Couple under Warner Records. However in the wake of Goodie Mob’s disbandment & the Dungeon Family preparing for a follow-up to Even in Darkness in which Cee-Lo teased to be their “farewell album”, he & Danger Mouse are making a victory lap of their own releasing what they’ve been calling their 3rd & final LP through 10K Projects.

“Tomorrow Died Today” passionately begins with this atmospheric instrumental singing about how we’re all the same in death whereas “I Amnesia” soulfully asks if anyone would remember him if he came back to life from the grave. The only single “Pictures” blends neo-soul & country soul nostalgically remembering when they used to take the MARTA train system in the 8th grade just before “Line Dance” shifts towards a funkier vibe singing about thinking outside the box to get in his bag.

As for “Turn Your Heart Back On”, we have Cee-Lo over a peppier beat wondering if anyone’s listening or simply hearing leading into “Let Me Be” suggesting everyone to leave him alone so he can have some time & understanding. “Cyberbully (Yayo)” starts the 2nd half on a more futuristic note suggesting the possibility of a cyborg being inside of him while “Perfect Time” turns up the psychedelia singing about now being our greatest opportunity to do everything we want until our demise comes.

“Sweet Evil” confesses that he feels like a God in some earthly form while “Boy Genius” sings about everything being fine if someone doesn’t understand you because it might mean you’re a genius. “The Be Be King” expresses a desire of staying true to himself rather than wanting to be someone else like the rest & after “Sorry” issues an apology for losing the war of peace, the final song “Accept It” sends off the coda singing about Heaven being out there on the dance floor tonight in addition to the Devil hitting some moves when he has the chance.

There were always plans for Gnarls Barkley to make 1 last LP after The Odd Couple, but wound up going on hiatus until last Thursday due to other creative endeavors & have finishing what they started by making an entire full-length dedicated to the city that made them. Danger Mouse’s production incorporating contemporary R&B, pop soul, smooth soul & psychedelic soul paired with Cee-Lo Green’s introspective songwriting join the likes of Jill Scott’s independent comeback To Whom This May Concern & more recently GENA’s debut The Pleasure is Yours in terms of neo-soul thriving in 2026.

Score: 4.5/5

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Dangerous Thoughts – “Cheat Codes” review

Dangerous Thoughts is an MC/producer duo consisting of Danger Mouse behind the boards & Black Thought on the mic. 1 has an impressive resume of artists he’s worked with in the past ranging from Prince Po to the late MF DOOM & the other is one of the most acclaimed lyricists in all of hip hop. They initially formed in 2006 & when it seemed like we were never gonna get a full-length debut from them, the day has now come 16 years later.

“Sometimes” is a symphonic, soulful opener talking about thinking of a master plan à la The God MC himself Rakim Allah whereas the title track is a robotic boom bap cut boasting that he’s playing unlimited free throws referencing WWE Hall of Famer Pete Rose. Raekwon tags along for the piano/soul-tinged “The Darkest Part” to talk about being in another echelon just before “No Gold Teeth” samples “Stop” by Hugh Masakela promising to never retire.

Meanwhile on “Because”, we have Joey Bada$$ & Russ accompanying Thought in describing the harsh realities of America with a guitar driven instrumental as well as a passionate Dylan Cartlidge hook leading into the rugged “Belize” seeing DANGERDOOM coming together potentially for the last time to assist in some battle raps including a reference to the A24 Films absurdist black comedy drama The Lobster along with the inaugural IWGPヘビーチャンピオン, former 12-time WWE world champion, WWE tag team champion & 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. “Aquamarine” blends abstract with neo-soul confessing the conflict between him as a person & his status in hip hop, but then “Identical Deaths” brings some xylophones to the table talking about living many lives.

A$AP Rocky & Run the Jewels come into the picture for the hardcore “Strangers” to call out the bluff of those who dare to step up to them lyrically while the song “Close to Famous” almost gives me J Dilla vibes sonically talking about that’s how everyone be nowadays. The penultimate track “Saltwater” with Conway the Machine is a tense boom bap heater delivering some rugged ass bars only for the organ-laced “Violas & Lupitas” ending the album talking about doing God’s work.

For this being 16 years in the making & finally having it in the palm of our hands, it was much well worth it. Danger Mouse’s production is more sample-based than Sean Cane’s was on Streams of Thought 3: Cain & Able, the features all come correct (I don’t even mind Russ on “Because”) & Thought lyrically is just doing what he’s been doing best from the very moment he picked up a mic.

Score: 4.5/5

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