Hip hop heads such as myself had a great year in 2015. The amount of high-quality albums and projects released by big name artists’ last year kept fans happy, and in constant need of updating their playlists. All of these great albums and songs that got released last year were also great distractions from the mounting disappointment of no new Kanye West album.
Finally, after literal years of anticipation and many hints and rumors about an album, Mr. West has released "So Help Me God," "Swish," "Waves," "The Life of Pablo." Kanye’s seventh album may suggest that he is indeed an asshole, but more importantly, this album proves his musical genius.
Simply said, "The Life of Pablo" sounds amazing. Yes, this album’s era has already led to many infamous Kanye stories (renaming the album multiple times, ethering Wiz on Twitter, claiming he’s $53 million in debt, freaking out on "SNL"), but what should really be discussed is how good this album really is.
"T.L.O.P." is everything that a modern day hip hop should album should be. It is sonically innovative. It has moments of serious reflection as Kanye raps about his faith, newfound family, and problems that have risen from fame. The album switches between songs you want to party to and songs you just want to chill to.
There is as much asshole Kanye (who thinks he can still have sex with Taylor Swift) as there is introspective and relaxed Kanye. There isn’t a dull moment in the entire hour-long “gospel album” Kanye made. And yes, this is a “gospel album.” I mean, how could it not be, with lines like “Sometimes I’m wishin' that my dick had a GoPro”? Pure gospel beauty.
What might be most impressive about "T.L.O.P." is its ability to use aspects of all Kanye’s previous solo work. It feels like an up-to-date “best of” album. Songs like "Feedback" and "Freestyle 4" bring back the in-your-face electro sound from "Yeezus." "Highlights" and "Waves" use the celebratory stadium feel of "Graduation." "FML" and "Wolves" stay true to the auto-tuned and emotional sound he introduced on "808s & Heartbreaks."
Kanye even put some “old Kanye” on "T.L.O.P.," knowing that fans miss his humble beginnings. "30 Hours" and "No More Parties in LA" prove Kanye is capable of sticking to his musical beginnings and pleasing his day-one fans. "T.L.O.P." feels as uniquely special as his 2010 masterpiece "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," by re-using G.O.O.D Friday releases and a well-managed all-star cast of features. Who else gets Chance, the Rapper and Young Thug to work on the same project? Or Frank Ocean to work at all, for that matter?
While the release of "T.L.O.P." was long overdue and very much appreciated, this album does still feel like it needs some finishing touches. On cue with the many album name titles (personally, I liked "Swish") and also a slew of Tweets and Instagram posts of possible track lists, this album feels unfinished. Many times, the track-to-track skips feel mashed and too sudden.
The album just sounds like Kanye was having difficulty budgeting his focus on the album and all the other parts of his life. Hell, just look at the album cover. I’m pretty sure I can re-make it in Microsoft Paint. Just the fact alone that Kanye said he’s STILL fixing some of the tracks for a re-release points to this album being released too early. As great as the album is, and as hard it is for a Kanye stan to admit, "T.L.O.P." would have benefitted from even more of a push back.
At the end of the day, though, new Yeezy is infinitely better than no Yeezy. Even if it does sound rushed, and we had to put up with all of the delays and random drama surrounding it, "The Life of Pablo" does not disappoint.
2015 was a quiet year for hip hop's most prolific celebrity, and the rap community gladly accepts his fantastic return to music. Hopefully, people can sit back, relax, and appreciate how special this album is instead of getting caught up in the worldwide phenomenon that is Mr. West’s life.
