Review Summary: What better production can do for you.
I have to admit that maybe I was a bit too harsh while ripping on OG Maco & Key!s collaborative EP „Give 'Em Hell“. Maybe there was something to be found in the unbearingly terrible downplayed production by Brandon Thomas. Maybe they did say something interesting over the course of the project. Maybe „U Guessed It“ was one of the hardest bangers of 2014. Maybe it was good.
No, it wasn't, and I still stand by that. Aside from the breakthrough single, the EP remains almost completely unlistenable for me. But it got me hooked. I wanted to know what OG Maco did next, because his style was still interesting enough for me to come back to some of his verses. I just wanted him to rap over beats that would fit his persona better.
When his self-titled „EP“, it's more of a mixtape really, came around and entered my ears, I was pretty happy. Finally I was able to hear the energy I found on his previous output put to good beats. This EP is a significant step in the right direction for Maco. While his lyrics are still, let's say, lacking, what he misses in lyrical proficiency, he makes up in catchy flows and some of the most extreme spazz-outs you will ever hear on a project. He truly screams his soul out of his body, almost to the point where you are scared of what happened to his vocalchords. Listening to him is truly an experience that will either leave you laughing or screaming with him. It's very entertaining.
The production found on here, as stated before, is way better than the minimalist borefest that was „Give 'Em Hell“. There are some legitimate bangers found on here, from the frantic build of Seizure, the lone harpsichord on ***Emx3, the ethereal floating Human Nature to the opera-infused Undefeated. There are a lot of highlights on here, and all from relatively unknown producers. Even the best tracks from „Give Em Hell“ make an appearance on here again.
Sadly, there are still a lot of faults that drag this EP down. First of all, his lyrical content. I still don't expect great or inventive lyrics from Maco, but when the most clever line on your project is „We avoid Billy Jeans, it's just Human Nature“, you maybe want to go back to the drawing board. Also, if you are making this type of music, I at least want to be able to quote your lyrics. There is almost nothing quotable on here, which is a shame. The guest-spots, except from an amazing Migos-appearance and a hilarious verse by 2 Chainz, are pretty horrid as well. And, at last, not every beat on here is that interesting or complimentary to Maco is it could be. 12 Bricks is pretty underwhelming, CRU is a very basic trap-affair and No Pressure may as well be some of Zaytovens worst work. And these are just some examples.
In conclusion I can say, that this project is a very engaging and pleasant listen, which lives on it's production and Macos energy. However, there are still enough faults that stop it from reaching it's true potential. But overall, this is a good project by an interesting figure in rap-music.
