In my opinion, Macklemore can go bar for bar with just about any rapper out right now. What critics often miss is that a skilled rapper is a skilled rapper, regardless of being a white artist or choosing to rap over unconventional production.

“This Unruly Mess I Made” aims to uphold the standards set by Macklemore’s earlier work, continuing to strike a balance between sharp rap verses and pop-infused, inspirational messages. The question is: will he lean further into hip-hop on this project, or stick with the pop-oriented sound that brought him widespread acclaim?

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STREAM

TOP 5

5. Buckshot (Ft. DJ Premier & KRS-One)

I WAS ON THAT BUCKSHOT!

They wanted hip-hop from Macklemore, and he delivered true hip-hop on this track. They wanted hardcore bars from Macklemore, and he provided them here. Mack satisfied every element that makes a great hip-hop song with this one.

Ryan Lewis and DJ Premier absolutely slay this beat. They managed to make it sound old-school while still keeping that present-day hip-hop feel. Very impressive.

Getting love from KRS-One is always a good look if you want to be a respected MC. KRS gives any hip-hop venture a stamp of approval. He’s not the prettiest, but he’s definitely prestigious in this game.

4. Kevin (Ft. Leon Bridges)

An addictive song about addiction.

“Kevin” is another deep and personal song on the album, but you wouldn’t know that by its tempo. In this track, Macklemore raps about the effects prescription drugs have had on the people in his life. His approach is interesting, as he doesn’t place blame on the individuals taking the pills but on the drug companies providing them. That’s a very bold stance to take, because everyone knows CVS and Rite Aid are bigger gangstas than anyone in this world.

3. Dance Off (Ft. Idris Elba & Anderson .Paak)

Why does the intro to this track sound like Macklemore and his crew are gearing up for a dance-off against aliens?

“Dance Off” is pure, unfiltered fun from start to finish. The beat is heart-pounding and unpredictable, shifting between sharp, focused energy and wild, otherworldly bursts. Macklemore delivers his verses with precision and swagger, laying out the unofficial rules for dominating a dance battle. Idris Elba’s commanding voice adds theatrical flair, while Anderson .Paak slides in with effortless cool, bringing his signature groove to the chaos. The result? Controlled mayhem — the kind of track that makes you want to jump in and join the fun.

2. Downtown

“Downtown” is the first song since 1991 that I’d rather play on my record player than on my iPad.

First off, the beat caters to the old-school players in the song, which is dope. Their old asses needed something to do anyway.

The transition from the old heads to Macklemore is almost seamless — that’s hard to achieve given the fact that it’s two completely different styles of rap. In Mack’s verse, he’s definitely displaying his wit and showing a similar goofiness to his verses in “Thrift Shop.”

The energy in this song is impeccable. It’s not an “I want to beat the hell out of someone” type of energy — it’s more like a “Hey, let’s all get together as a band and clean the hell out of the basement” type of energy.

This song was made to become a play in the future… and somehow, someway, we gotta have Cuba Gooding Jr. playing Macklemore.

1. Growing Up (Ft. Ed Sheeran)

“Growing Up” is an absolutely beautiful song. Everything about it is flawless.

I love Macklemore’s gentle approach to this track; his decision to sing some of his lines is masterful. As for his lyrics, they are very personal and give you the impression that he’s just as human as you when it comes to the notion of a child’s birth.

Ed Sheeran is amazing on this track (as usual), as he passionately sings his part, during which the beat becomes more dramatic. He’s great, isn’t he? I tell ya, all we need is Kanye to snatch an award from him, and he’d be super-duper famous by now.

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SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Light Tunnels (Ft. Mike Slap) (4/5)

2. Downtown (Ft. Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee & Eric Nally) (4/5)

3. Brad Pitt’s Cousin (Ft. Xperience) (3.5/5)

4. Buckshot (Ft. DJ Premier & KRS-One) (4.5/5)

5. Growing Up (Ft. Ed Sheeran) (5/5)

6. Kevin (Ft. Leon Bridge) (4.5/5)

7. St. Ides (4/5)

8. Need To Know (Ft. Chance The Rapper) (4/5)

9. Dance Off (Ft. Idris Elba & Anderson .Paak) (4/5)

10. Let’s Eat (Ft. Xperience) (4/5)

11. Bolo Tie (Ft. YG) (4/5)

12. The Train (Ft. Carla Morrison) (4/5)

13. White Privilege (Ft. Jamala Woods) (3/5)

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RGM RATING

(81%)

The production on this album is insanely good. Every beat stands on its own. It’s refreshing to hear a project where each track actually sounds different from the last (ahem, Future). That diversity is exactly why Ryan Lewis deserves just as much credit for the magic as Macklemore himself.

Macklemore shows off serious range here, experimenting heavily throughout the project. Sure, there are moments where he might lean a little too far left — the kind that give his critics ammo — but you have to respect his artistic fearlessness.

Overall, this album is a strong, ambitious effort. Hopefully, even those who’ve written Macklemore off will give it a real listen — they might be surprised by how good it is.

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