A$AP Mob – “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2 : Too Cozy”

A$AP Mob, the mainstream group that is led by A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, still touches into influences by A$AP Yams, dropped “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy” on Aug. 25, almost a full year after the first. 

The album is compiled of 14 songs and three skits. “Too Cozy” released with an impressive lineup, including heavy hitting features such as Gucci Mane, ScHoolboy Q, Quavo, Chief Keef and Playboi Carti.  A few weeks before the drop of the album came the video releases for Feels So Good, and RAF.

The overall impression given off by this album is that the A$AP Mob did not even get close to giving it their all. A lot of the songs on Cozy Tapes Vol. 2 seem to be throwaway songs or songs that we’re not worked on much at all. 

After listening to the album all the way through, it is clear that songs such as “BYF” and “Black Card” fit this classification. Both have the power to make you just shut off the album immediately. The hype regarding this album quickly died down as no songs are extremely noteworthy, but rather mildly entertaining. 

The production throughout the album is extremely good, but the lyricism and flows dampen the quality of this project. The album was decent at best, and definitely disappointing.

Favorite songs: “Coziest,” “Frat Rules,” “Blowin’ Minds (Skateboard),” and “Feels So  Good”

Daniel Caesar – “Freudian” 

Daniel Caesar, the man behind Japanese Denim, released his debut album, “Freudian.” on Aug. 25.

The incredibly deep lyricism, smooth melodies, beautiful vocals, and soft beats that are displayed in such an appealing fashion will leave most listeners with a head full of thought and a heavy heart. 

“Freudian” consists of 10 songs, each of them being equally beautiful. 

Features on this album include Kali Uchis, H.E.R, and Syd. These features add so many different levels to Caesar’s music making the experience of listening all the more appealing. The production on this album is flawless, and there is not one song unworthy of listening to. 

Favorite Songs: “Get You,” “Take Me” and “We Find Love”

XXXTentacion – “17” 

XXXTentacion has proved himself over and over again with songs such as “East SideSoulja”, “Gospel”, “”Look at Me!”, “ILOVEITWHENTHEYRUN”, and “YuNg BrAtZ”. The new album, “17” takes fans at a completely different pace and direction. 

“By listening to this album, you are literally, and I cannot stress this enough, literally entering my mind,” X sings in the song “The Explanation.” “And if you are not willing to accept my emotion and hear my words fully, do not listen.

“Here is my pain and thoughts put into words,” he continued. “I put my all into this, in the hopes that it will help cure or at least numb your depression.”

The album is taken very slowly and touches very deep issues that X has faced himself and has seen others go through. The album is not for those that only liked X’s hype music. This album is not for those that view showing emotions as weak, or for those who cannot handle the true XXXTentacion. 

The album is a mere 22 minutes long and only has one song  truly worth listening to. The lyricism of “17” is consistent and generally good, but the album isn’t worthy of further acclaim.