This is the 3rd studio LP from Naples, Florida musician, singer/songwriter & rapper Dominic Fike. Signing to Columbia Records in 2018 off his debut EP Don’t Forget About Me & later What Could Possibly Go Wrong? during the COVID-19 pandemic, he would later join the cast of the Skydance Corporation division Warner Bros.-owned HBO series Euphoria during it’s 2nd season & the sophomore effort Sunburn wound up being more well received than it’s predecessor. 14 Minutes preluded his debut mixtape Rocket to mixed feedback & looks to teach the world How to Quit Smoking.
“Wallflower” was a decent indie pop opener singing about the type of person who’s shy yet introverted whereas “Small Town” works in some bedroom pop influences so he can reminisce over a woman he once knew, hoping to rekindle their relationship even though she’s not who she once was. “Pangea” combines bedroom pop, neo-soul & pop rap to discuss a relationship that has some serious potential while “Casting Call” sings about feeling like he’s up against robots due to the rise of AI.
reggie joins Dominic for “Doomsday” to directly addressing the theme of them going cold turkey on smoking & letting their partners know they love them more than they did the day prior leading into “Honeylove” featuring Grace Ives singing about wanting to consume each other’s DNA. “White Keys” blends alt-pop & bedroom pop for an observation of the space around them changing negatively affecting his relationship just before “Squeeze” sings about wanting to feel his lover’s touch.
“Reno” featuring Hether continues the 2nd half of the album throwing it all the way back to the What Could Possibly Go Wrong? era stylistically while “Lily Was a Cavalier” sings about the titular character fucking him much better than any of his exes have. “Cabby” featuring Emma Ogier finds the pair admitting they’re at their worst when they forget the humanity of their love while “City of Steel” featuring Jorjiana originating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania talks about heartbreak.
Danny Brown’s appearance during “Not the Spirit” ranks amongst my personal favorites contemplating whether or not they’d break even if they had a dime for every time they went broke while “War Machine” sings about his regrets ranging from drug abuse to infidelity, including an interpolation of “Got Ya Money” by the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard when the hook comes around. “Spotlight / Innerchild” finishes How to Quit Smoking in the form of a 2-parter promising to do his best despite not knowing what’s next.
Originally announced a couple months ago right when the Comedy Tragedy Parody Tour was getting ready to commence, Dominic Fike finally drops How to Quit Smoking following 2 or 3 weeks of delays putting himself in a position where he had no other choice but to step his game up regardless of me still having Rocket as his finest statement yet. Primarily because the indie pop, pop rap, indie rock & bedroom pop production can feel repetitive after a bit although appreciate the themes of growing up are undeniably sincere.
Score: 3/5
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