Chesstown King's Reviews and Thoughts

  - Usher returns to his old style with R v R, which is a very good album. The album’s first half is its better half, but you can’t help but feel the album runs a tad bit long. I think Foolin Around is too sappy, and does nothing but sound like a very watered down Confessions song. With that aside, this album has Usher returning to the types of songs that made him popular in the first place. Lil Freak with Nicki Minaj is excellent, as is OMG with will.i.am. Some really effective Slow songs are Mars vs. Venus and There Goes my Baby. Overall I was very impressed with the album, even though its not as original as Confessions. However this album beats Here I Stand, and thus it’s a progression. Lyrics 23 Beats 22 Depth 23 Tilt 21 Verdict 89 This is actually an old review I had in the vault. I will review Usher's 2024 album at some point. Also this is my 900th blog post. Let's get it!

 I've got to admit this album really really impressed me. I really found myself liking most of these songs. It reminded me of Glorilla's album which I reviewed earlier but this one is better. The album gets off to a good start with "Big Mama" and Blick Sum". Latto has a lot of bravado on the mic and she sounds great over these dirty south beats. The album does kinda slow down a bit when it gets to the R&B themed songs, but they're not bad. There's a huge guest list: Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, Coco Jones, Mariah the Scientist, Cardi B and more. I really enjoyed "Put it on da Floor Again" and "Brokey". The latter is a major hit imo. I can only hope Cardi B's album later this year will be this good...cause Latto definitely did her thing! Lyrics 22 Beats 24 Depth 23 Tilt 22 Verdict 91

  The last great Ja Rule album. Its solid. The lyrics are good, the beats are hot, and theres plenty of depth. It even holds up well to repeated listens. Ja should have sticked to this formula and not worried about 50 Cents, and made a dollar. Theres only a couple of average songs and they’re near the end. This album is really catchy with high replayability. The best songs were "Murder Reigns", "The Pledge Remix", and "Thug Lovin". "Pop N*ggas" was also good with the Neptunes production. Lyrics 19 Beats 22 Depth 23 Tilt 23 Verdict 87

 My opinion on this album has changed from when I first got it. There's over 20 songs and for the most part it doesn't really feel bloated. I'd say only near the end do things kinda drag. Most of the album however is really dope. "I Can't Wait to Get There" was a nice smooth song. "Cry for Me" and "Timeless" are bangers...but my favorite song has got to be "São Paulo". That song is just amazing. Overall I'd say his singing performance is pretty consistent with the last 2 albums. The production was great too. I had to knock some points off the depth for some of the last songs. The reparability (tilt) was good tho. I don't agree this is his best album but it honestly adds a lot to his legacy to have 3 great albums back to back like this. Lyrics 24 Beats 23 Depth 22 Tilt 23 Verdict 92

 I had heard good things about this album, but not until hearing it for myself did I realize its greatness. She raps about a lot of personal topics with great ease like on "Introvert", the first song. They're themes of introversion all over the album. She raps about her dad that wasn't there for her on the incredible "I Love You, I hate You". Sometimes tho, Simz is just flexing like on "Speed". She is a great rapper and the production is really fancy too. The skits are interesting and fit the theme of the album. "Rolling Stone" is another highlight. There's some Reggae sounding songs too like the popular "Point and Kill". Ultimately I was very pleased with this album. It's definitely in the conversation for best rap album of the 2020s. I want to hear more from her. Lyrics 24 Beats 23 Depth 25 Tilt 25 Verdict 97

 I really really enjoyed this album. I didn't like the self titled all that much that came out in 2021, but this is fire. "Black & Blue" the first song is so damn smooth. Things get a lot darker with "Government Cheese". Lyrically Vince is great, and I love the cohesive production too. "Nothing Matters" was another highlight. I found the Liars skit and the final track to be pretty intersting."Étouffée" might be the best song. I don't have a lot to say about the album. I liked every song but I've got to admit he's made better albums in the past. Still tho Vince's discography is looking very impressive man. Lyrics 23 Beats 23 Depth 25 Tilt 22 Verdict 93