mgk and Trippie Redd are on the same depressing page in “genre: sad boy.”
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TOP 3
3. hiding in the hills
Hollywood should be a lot cleaner now that Diddy got jammed up.
Hollywood must really stink. For over a century, music has delved into its horrors. In “hiding in the hills,” mgk and Trippie Redd explore the theme of escaping their demons by retreating to Hollywood, only to find themselves feeling lost in their secluded refuge. While the somber production effectively sets the tone, mgk’s infectious melodies and the strong chorus stand out. However, Trippie Redd’s rambling at the end is unnecessary and borderline ruins s**t.
A consistent observation throughout this project is that Trippie Redd detracts from several tracks. I find that he diminishes this one and “suddenly” for me.
2. who do I call (Ft. JID)
How in the f**k did JID end up on this album? Did he get drafted?
“who do I call” exudes a fairy tale-like vibe. The track is driven by airy and atmospheric production that transports listeners to a dreamy state. JID, Trippie Redd, and MGK deliver gentle, poignant rap and singing performances over the ethereal backdrop. JID subtly boasts while reflecting on the persona he portrays, Redd expresses feelings of hopelessness and reliance on drugs, and MGK calls out his emotional plug. Overall, “who do I call” is one of the most cohesive tracks on the album.
1. beauty
You get excellent performances out of mgk and Trippie Redd in “beauty.”
This is perhaps the most upbeat and least somber track in the entire project. It features uptempo and exciting production with a high-pitched sample that I absolutely love and a splash (Just a splash) of emotional vibes. Both MGK and Trippie Redd shine equally on the track. MGK takes charge for a significant portion, delivering both raw vocals and aggressive raps, addressing themes of breaking curses, overcoming dark thoughts, and the effects of drugs. On the other hand, Trippie Redd, with his dynamic vocal range, expresses the joy of being in the moment with a special companion who brings positive energy. Overall, I don’t have a single complaint about this track.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. lost boys (3/5)
2. beauty (4.5/5)
3. time travel (3.5/5)
4. struggles (3/5)
5. suddenly (3.5/5)
6. half dead (3/5)
7. hiding in the hills (3.5/5)
8. no more (3/5)
9. who do I call (Ft. JID) (4/5)
10. summer’s gone (3.5/5)
OVERALL RATING
(C-)
I’ll get straight to the point: I don’t love this project. I feel like the topics covered in it were extremely generic, the lyrics basic as f**k, and the music nothing new. However, my birthday is in a few days, so I’ll stop being negative. I do think there are some bright spots:
1. I love that we get rap verses from mgk on the project. Though I think he sounds better as an alternative rock guy, I’m glad he didn’t decide to completely abandon the hip-hop side of his artistry.
2. Though their lyrics aren’t great on this project, I will always be appreciative of artists who speak about their mental health in songs, which Trippie and mgk do quite a bit throughout.
3. JID put up an outstanding performance in “who do I call.”
4. There are a few mgk choruses that I truly love.
5. I’m glad that Trippie and mgk weren’t mentioned in “LIKE THAT” by Kendrick Lamar.
OK, that’s all I got.
The blatantly obvious sad boy s**t doesn’t work for me these days; however, kudos to these guys for linking up and creating something that works for them.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
