Tom Talks #11: BROCKHAMPTON-ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE (The boys are back, with an emotional bang!)
The SATURATION trilogy was one of the best runs in the Rap game, with the first two entries being some of the most creative and different in the genre, while 3 finished things off in a solid, although not as amazing way. 'iridescence' was a flawed experience due to the Ameer Vann controversy, but still saw the group move in a more emotional direction and give us some of their best introspective ballads. They continued down this path on 'GINGER,' continuing this solemn theme within the group, except more consistent and opening up more about the reasons behind their sorrow.
Now, after two years the group return for what they have announced as their penultimate album, (although they said the same during the SATURATION trilogy) meaning this is part one of the finale to the career of the world's best boyband. It also sees the boys collaborating more then ever on the features and producer front and with the two singles being pretty good, I was expecting another quality album. And yeah, on that front I was right.
We start the album off with the lead single 'BUZZCUT,' a bouncy and trippy cut that kicks things off with a bang. Kevin Abstract's verse brings the energy as he references his family troubles and the success of the group with lines like, "A platinum record not gon' keep my Black ass out of jail." The chorus then kicks in with a manic delivery of "...get the fuck out my ride-ide-ide-ide," matching the crazy vibes of the beat and the maincness of Kevin's life. Danny Brown then gives a killer guest appearance, bringing even more animation to the song, with great lines like "N***** blow a lot of smoke like they breath in the wind." The song concludes in a trippy way, slowing things down and concluding an amazing opener.
Another one, fans of the group may have heard of comes next in 'CHAIN ON,' which was previously released with a different instrumental. I'm not someone who was hot on those singles, but this new beat is an absolute bop with it's 'bu-bu-ba's.' Kevin and Dom McLennon's verses are solid as they tell the listener to be themselves and the pressure to be able to do this when in the public eye. JPEGMAFIA was a great choice to collaborate with and I can't believe they didn't beforehand. He brings his usual tongue in cheek lyrics to the song, stating "Slick with the ink, these melodies need Duolingo. Same size as Dua Lipa." I love the mellow vibe of this song and how it continues the theme of not giving up and fighting against the troubles you face, concluding with a classy sample of 'C.R.E.A.M.'
'COUNT ON ME' is another melodic cut, mixed in with these bouncy drums and whistles, as the group continue on their trajectory to uplift themselves and the listener, with this beautifully catchy chorus that everything will be ok, no matter what. Adding some great contributions from A$AP Rocky and SoGone SoFlexy, this definitely feels like the group going back to it's roots and taking inspiration from the aforementioned SATURATION trilogy.
We then get more A$AP love on 'BANKROLL,' with this guitar backed, more acoustic sound with that signature BROCKHAMPTON touch to the track. Ferg sounds great over the beat and the most hungry I have heard him in a while, with Rocky and Merlyn Wood going back 2 back about how the money doesn't make you and their liking of one another is down to who they are. This contrasts with Merlyn and Jabari Manwa's discussion of girl issues and making that paper, still sounding great with their autotuned delivery. It's not the best one on the project, but it's a great cut and everyone sounds good vibing with one another.
After a positive start, things take a more sorrowful, introspective turn on 'THE LIGHT.' There's a real apocalyptic feel to this track like Kevin and Joba's world' are coming to an end, with both artists going in depth into the troubles of their life. Kevin details how he rejects the haters to be himself, yet he still can't tell his mother about his sexuality, showing the great paradox in his life. But damn, Joba's verse discussing his dad's suicide and worrying about his mother being alone, cuts deep and really breaks your heart. It's really hit him hard as shown by the fact he turns to alcohol and pills, as he hates himself and he's then reminded of his father when he sees himself like this. Both also discuss their worry about people losing their jobs and the pandemic, showing they are in touch with the listener and this sadness they feel is shared worldwide. The chorus adds that final touch as they discuss the light missing as it is absorbed, showing the good in their life seems like it's disappearing and with the choir backed melancholic production, this track truly hits home the feeling of the world right now.
We then get an old school vibe with 'WINDOWS,' as the production gives us a classic New York Boom-Bap beat, mixed in with some G-Funk, like if DJ Premier and Dr. Dre came together to produce. This really reminds me of those horrorcore 90's Hip-Hop tracks like Ice Cube and Dre's 'Natural Born Killaz,' as Merlyn and Kevin spit their verses. Matt Champion claims he's the bogey man, Dom matches the energy of the beat and supports his claim of having an amazing pen game and SoGone gives a solid contribution. For me though the standouts are Joba's attack on authority, ("Capitalistic greed, plague over society, like COVID-19,") Ryan's creepy chorus, warning the boys are coming for you and bearface stating they have defeated the critics. This gives the energy of 'SATURATION,' truly standing out from the rest of the album and concluding with a more mellow sound, similar to the music in the Downtown Springfield level of 'The Simpsons: Hit & Run.' (if you know, you know!)
While 'I'LL TAKE YOU ON' is the most poppy sounding track, the legend Charlie Wilson really adds that touch of class, giving us those 2000's R'n'B energy. They discuss the breaking down of a relationship, with the skittering drums and melodic chorus from bearface, Joba, Kevin and Matt really giving us a potential karaoke anthem. It's sweet and catchy, with bearface in particular pouring his heart out and showing the boys have a tender side, after the last track gave us a more violent attitude.
The fall of the relationship is discussed on 'OLD NEWS,' that goes in a more country direction, with the acoustic guitar. Matt is heartbroken, Merlyn is bitter and Jabari is pleading for her to come back, showing the different sides to dealing with a break up. The feature from Baird feels a little out of place, as he discusses not regretting running into the band, but it sounds good and Joba brings things to a close as he hits them notes exceptionally.
Now that would have been a great two part story of a relationship coming to an end, but 'WHAT'S THE OCCASION' ends things on a bum note. The heavy electric guitar doesn't sound good at all, making it sound like an average noughties pop song. We get some decent verses from Matt and Joba, discussing needing validity, but it feels like filler and is the weakest moment on the LP.
The legendary Chad Hugo of the Neptunes shows up on 'WHEN I BALL,' with the piano and violins creating this beat that easily could have been on Kanye West's 'Late Registration.' They all discuss family issues with Dom wanting to be protected by his mother, Matt stating his family was his rock and Joba stating his family will always be there, with his voice modulated in a way that makes him sound like a teenager off to college. The chorus is delivered in this childlike way, relaying the imagery that they are referencing their childhood. It's a real wholesome number that reminds me of how family is there for you and helps make you the person you are, something I can relate to and hopefully you can, as well.
For me, the standout track is the explosive 'DON'T SHOOT UP THE PARTY,' which really discusses a lot, while giving us an absolute banger, as Novelist did on 'Stop Killing the Mandem.' Kevin starts things off with the line "All American self-hatred runs deep, White boys all I see whenever I sleep." with the whirring electronic beat matching Kevin's worry about the troubles faced as a gay black man in the US. The chorus and Joba plead with the shooter to not shoot up the party and think about who their gonna affect, while Matt details the killers intentions and the events leading up to the party. The worry inducing instrumental matches the fear felt by Black people and the victims of mass shootings, really highlighting that the group does not feel safe and indicating that modern America is a ticking time bomb that needs to be stopped, before it's too late.
We then get a short, but sweet moment with 'DEAR LORD,' that gives us a classic bearface verse, acapella style that really highlights once again the group's love of God. It's a subtle and beautiful moment, that really shows the emotion the group feels and the backing choir and finger clicks is the cherry on top.
When then conclude with 'THE LIGHT PT. II,' which is a conclusion to the harrowing topics discussed in part one, with this melancholic choir and the stuttering guitars adding to the sadness felt by this track. Joba is whispering please don't do it, in reference to his father, which is utterly heartbreaking and I imagine for many will be difficult to listen to and for me is very emotional, as I know the pain people feel when they know someone has suicidal thoughts. Kevin meanwhile discusses how he feels more secure in himself, while his difficult relationship with his mother is still present. Joba himself also expresses his mixed feelings of contemplating his death, but also wanting to make his family proud which was explored on 'WHEN I BALL.' The song is about how now they have let the light into their life (god) and how that has helped them recover somewhat and makes for a satisfying, if depressing conclusion to a solid project.
I have some issues with tracks like 'COUNT ON ME,' feeling reminiscent of material the group has done before, but overall this is a very mature and great record from the Texas outfit. They have explored god, race, CO-VID and everything in between in such a concise, but impactful way and still managed to include some bangers as well. This may not be their best project, but it's their best since the SATURATION trilogy and one old and new fans alike can enjoy.
8.5/10
Thank you for reading this article and hope you enjoyed! Till next time, stay tuned for another Tom Talks!
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