Bryson Tiller certainly lives up to the hype with this highly-anticipated album.
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TOP 5
5. F4U
She brought out Pen Griffey, y’all.
What’s intriguing about this album is that the tracks in which Bryson Tiller adopts his toughest persona are the ones in which he boasts about his main chick the most. This dynamic is exemplified in “F4U,” where he confidently asserts that his partner surpasses all others and declares his readiness to leave his player days behind for her. Fueled by an uptempo, soulful beat, Bryson delivers his lyrics with fervor and swagger, making it feel like he was staring into his partner’s eyes while laying down his raps.
4. Outside
I’m surprised that “Wait (Whisper Song)” hasn’t been remade 100 times.
75% of the reason I think “Outside” is a solid banger is because the song’s production samples the beat from Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (Whisper Song).” That beat will never not be tight to me. The other 25% is because I appreciate how Bryson’s passionate vocals and juicy lyrics about turning another man’s trash into his treasure intertwine with the beat, creating a unique concoction that feels just right for a club atmosphere but also perfect for a bedroom rendezvous.
3. Whatever She Wants
Bryson Tiller says, “It ain’t trickin’ if you got it.”
In “Whatever She Wants,” Bryson Tiller sounds like a bigger player than Damien Woody. Throughout the song, he expresses a willingness to spoil a woman due to her attractive physical features and appealing personality.
What I love about “Whatever She Wants” is how emphatic Bryson sounds in the track, especially over the hard-hitting beat. If I were to guess, he’s annoyed as hell that y’all keep asking him why he’s pampering his chick.
2. No Thank You
“No Thank You” is the exact pocket I want to hear Bryson Tiller in forever.
I can see many people saying “No Thank You” is their favorite track from this album. It has really good energy, an uptempo beat that I love, some very intoxicating melodies, and some truly heartwarming/romantic lyrics. How anyone can hate this song is beyond me.
1. CALYPSO
As I think about it, Bryson Tiller does look a little Nigerian.
I’ve always admired Bryson Tiller’s ability to evoke emotions in his R&B/hip-hop tracks, but I feel he doesn’t get enough recognition for his talent in crafting danceable R&B tunes. “CALYPSO” perfectly exemplifies this. With its lively island-inspired production that will get everyone in the venue to shake their ass, Bryson blends passionate and smooth vocals as he sings about a girl he’s eyeing on the dance floor, hoping to take her home after a night of dancing. His enthusiasm shines through in every moment of the song.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Http:// (N/A)
2. Attention (4/5)
3. Stay Gold (4/5)
4. Persuasion (Ft. Victoria Monét) (4/5)
5. Ciao! (3.5/5)
6. Peace Interlude (4/5)
7. Rich Boy (4/5)
8. Random Access Memory (RAM) (Ft. Clara La San) (3.5/5)
9. No Thank You (4.5/5)
10. Find My Way (4/5)
11. Prize (3.5/5)
12. Waterfalls (3.5/5)
13. Aeon Lust (3/5)
14. CALYPSO (4.5/5)
15. Outside (4/5)
16. Undertow (4/5)
17. F4U (4/5)
18. Assume the Position (3.5/5)
19. Whatever She Wants (bonus track) (4/5)
OVERALL RATING
(C+) (77%)
Is Bryson Tiller back? After listening to this album, I really don’t know…
What resonates with me about this album is Bryson Tiller’s unwavering authenticity. From start to finish, his rawness remains untouched. This unfiltered quality was one of the main reasons I was drawn to his music initially, and I’m delighted to find it preserved throughout this album.
Another aspect of this album that I adore is its avoidance of sappy love songs. Instead of dwelling on clichés, Bryson Tiller chooses to showcase the greatness of his partner in numerous tracks. In a world often plagued by chaos, I find it refreshing and constructive to listen to love songs that celebrate and uplift.
Another aspect of this album that I deeply appreciate is its seamless flow. The production maintains a mellow pocket throughout, which seems to inspire Bryson Tiller to effortlessly blend elements of hip-hop and R&B. This consistent flow not only enhances the listening experience but also encourages you to let the album run uninterrupted, allowing you to immerse yourself in its groove fully.
If I could make one adjustment to this album, it would be to dial back Bryson Tiller’s experimentation. Tracks like “Assume The Position” and “Random Access Memory [RAM]” veered away from the elements of his music that I enjoy the most. Personally, I gravitate towards his hard-hitting R&B tracks like “F4U” and “Whatever She Wants,” or the passionate R&B vibes of “Attention” and “Stay Gold.” However, I do acknowledge the passion he brought to the experimental tracks, even if they didn’t quite match my preferences.
Another aspect I’d consider changing is the overarching computer theme woven throughout the album. What’s the point of incorporating a theme if it doesn’t contribute meaningfully to the music’s overall narrative or atmosphere?
Overall, I’m just glad Bryson Tiller is still motivated to drop music. I have this strange feeling that he was close to hanging up his mic these past few years…
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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