This week’s list of album ratings includes a legend, a West Coast star in the making, and a cold muthaf**ka.

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Ghostface Killah – Set The Tone (Guns & Roses)

(C)

Ghostface Killah crawled so Action Bronson could walk. All jokes aside, if you were born after 2000, you probably don’t know how great Ghostface is. All you need to know is that he was a pivotal member of the Wu-Tang Clan for many years. Five years after the release of his last album, Ghostface Killahs, the New York native returned to the music scene with a new album called Set The Tone (Guns & Roses).

Set The Tone (Guns & Roses) delivers hard-hitting beats, animated rap deliveries, nostalgic vibes, legendary guests, and a well-balanced mix of competitive, real-n***a, and braggadocios bars. Ghostface hasn’t lost a step; if anything, he sounds even more intense than he did in the past.

One reason I didn’t give this album a high grade is that it sounds a little outdated. Some of the subjects Ghostface and Friends tackle come across as a bit cheesy, and some songs use formulas from the early 2000s.

If you don’t have time to listen to this whole album, at least try “No Face” with Kanye West.

Favorite Songs: “Pair Of Hammers,” “Scar Tissues,” & “No Face.”

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Kalan.FrFr – MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN

(B-)

Kalan.FrFr is a powerhouse, and I’m not sure if the rest of the world realizes it yet. One of the reasons I’m a fan is because he’s an authentic Cali gangsta yet capable of crafting catchy melodies. Kalan released a new project titled MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN yesterday.

I guess “whooping feet” is a West Coast term? I heard Kalan.FrFr say this in “BAD BITCH ON SEEN,” and Kendrick Lamar says this in “Euphoria.”
Anywho, I think MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN is a very solid body of work with heavy LA-inspired production, LA guests (YG and Ty Dolla $ign make appearances), and the type of lingo and beliefs that only West Coast n***as would understand. Though I feel like Kalan does find pockets to drop some catchy s**t, I feel like he was on cruise control for a good chunk of this project, which I don’t quite love (I do feel like he turns s**t up once “COOL DOWN” arrives). Nonetheless, I think MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN will help revitalize West Coast music even more.

Favorite tracks: “COOL DOWN,” “EVERYBODY,” and “SILHOUETTE.”

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21 Lil Harold – Sick of Myself

(C+)

21, 21, 21! The other one, though.

Yes, 21 Lil Harold is affiliated with 21 Savage, being part of the Slaughter Gang. He also bears a striking resemblance to him in both sound and style. In Sick of Myself, much like Savage, Harold delivers his verses with a laid-back demeanor, blending love songs with gritty lyrics and boastful rhymes. He also works alongside artists like JID, Quavo, G-Herbo, and BigXthaPlug. Overall, I appreciate the album’s vibes and beats and how it channels the essence of a 21 Savage project. My only complaint would be that I feel like Harold still sounds a little too wet behind the ear for me.

Favorite Tracks: “Baby Boy,” “Sundown” and “Gin & Juice.”