On his latest release, DC emcee Goldlink funnels his multi-taloned flow into a more succinct combination of singing and rapping.
It’s a double edged sword type of decision. Channeling his energy into a single sound offers GoldLink an opportunity to focus and create a cohesive project. However the versatility that spanned God Complex is nowhere to be found on And After That, We Didn’t Talk.
Goldlink doesn’t have a perfect voice and that’s okay. Rappers trying to sing has always been an endearing action, adding a layer of emotional vulnerability to a record. Ol’ Dirty Bastard was a technically terrible vocalist, but his attempts at singing were undeniably enjoyable. Goldlink’s vocalizing feels incredibly empty, especially when it isn’t supported by either interesting lyrical content or a strong bravado. What makes “technically bad” singing good is the confidence it’s carried by, if absent the singing falls flat. The track “Dark Skin Women” is a good example of that failure in confidence. The vocals Goldlink provides on the hook feels as void as the crooning on Cudi’s “Confused”.
What makes this Goldlink project even more challenging to enjoy is having the talented Anderson .Paak appear on “Unique”. Paak’s vocal power, coupled with how he naturally dominates a track leaves Goldlink fading away into the instrumental.
Overall I think it’s a solid effort from Goldlink, but I wish he wouldn’t step back from experimenting with his flow styles.
You can purchase his album on iTunes
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