It’s no surprise that artists would capitalize on the hype of New Years Eve.
This time around, Kendrick dropped a short film incorporating two tracks off TPAB: “U” and “For Sale?”. Kanye dropped a new track called “Facts” and Travis Scott threw in two new songs the night before.
First up is the Kendrick film. When I first heard “U” the sounds of clinking glasses and the cleaning lady already helped paint a vivid image of Kendrick drinking in a hotel room. The first half of this film really just helped to complete that picture. I’m also impressed that Kendrick put the same amount of emotion into his mannerisms as he did in the vocals for the track. As for “For Sale”, it initially felt very much like a mental monologue, and the visuals caught that essence showing Kendrick floating through mirages of women.
Travis Scott dropped “A-Team” and “Wonderful” a day before New Years Eve. I don’t think these are leading singles from an upcoming project. It sounds like (and I got this same vibe from Rodeo) Travis is still experimenting with his sound. Which is fair considering his avant garde take on mainstream Hip Hop is still far from solidifying. I was definitely a fan of Rodeo, and I’ll probably slide these two tracks into my rotation but I’m sure his style has many an evolution to go through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJae2OpoHeE
The Kanye track however, did not fall in my graces. Maybe I wouldn’t be as mad at this track if he didn’t pull a bait and switch with the intro sample. He sounds like a drunk college freshman trying to sing along to “Jumpman”. It sounds like it was written and recorded in a single night, and considering the references to Steve Harvey and Cosby, I don’t think it’s a crazy accusation. I’m glad I got to listen to this before 2016 started so it didn’t taint the new year.
art by your homie, Arthur Banach
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