Review Summary: Lots of very good ideas are presented on this album, and it is an interesting direction to be heading into to, but I think this album missed its mark. Musically strong throughout, but often lyrically and vocally questionable.
Lots of very good ideas are presented on this album, and it is an interesting direction to be heading into to, but I think this album missed its mark.
Childish Gambino was a rapper prior to this, and one who was very divisive. I always found myself to be somewhere in the middle of this love and hate relationship. Mostly because with each release there would be a good chunk of songs I absolutely loved, and many I really hated, and this album is no different in that sense. I think in theory this album is on point, a revitalization of funk is what we all NEED, and I very well think Gambino could be at the fore-front of this, but he didn't quiet do it here.
The biggest issue here is the inconsistency of vocals, and it's highly questionable lyrics. When Bino is singing in his high range, bordering falsetto, it's gorgeous, such as his work in "Redbone". It works. Or when he is scratchy and raw and powerful, its mesmerizing, such as in the excellent opener, "Me and Your Mama". But when he tries to accommodate to the funky vibes to a sense of silliness, see the painful track "Zombies", or the too silly "Boogieman". These are not the only two tracks he does this, and anytime he does I sit and question why? These are the reason I think it's a setback. I know a lot of classic Funk had this style, but... we need to modernize it. Lyrics were a thing I brought up to, and it's odd, the fact he was a rapper (and I think a good one), to have such meh lyrics throughout. Even when they're on the better side, they never cross into greatness. They almost have too much simplicity. Even on the standout "Redbone" you get a moment like this: "Too late/ You wanna make it right, but now it's too late/My peanut butter chocolate cake with Kool-Aid/I'm trying not to waste my time". This is rough stuff. And the, I don't know what else to call it except, "horror" lyrics featured throughout (Zombies, Boogieman, Terrified), and sprinkled in other songs, they're stupid. Plain and simple.
But there is still lots of great ideas. Musically this album is pretty on point throughout the entire thing. Blending classic funk, almost modern rap beats, and the occasionally 70's psychedelic rock elements. If this was an instrumental album, it would probably be one of my favorites, which is why I think "The Night me and Your Mama Met" is a great track.
I have been pretty negative, but there are a lot of great-to-amazing tracks. Me and Your Mama, Have Some Love, Redbone, Baby Boy, The Night Me and Your Mama Met, and the Kanye-esque fantastic closer, Stand Tall. These are amazing songs, if it was 6 song EP, it'd be the best release of the year. Unfortunately there are 5 very mediocre to bad songs that hold it back.
All-in-all, I'm curious to see if he continues on this path, and if so, I think more deliberation needs to happen in the song writing process.
