Kevin Abstract Showcases His Musical Talent and Creative Depth on "ARIZONA BABY"
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of Kevin Abstract’s album after a series of teases were released. Abstract, Brockhampton’s founder and de-facto leader, started releasing elements of his new album ARIZONA BABY in weekly increments on the Brockhampton Youtube channel. On April 26th, Abstract dipped his toe into performance art by live streaming himself walking on a treadmill for 10 hours on Brockhampton street outside his childhood home in Corpus Christie, Texas.
ARIZONA BABY is Abstract’s first solo album since American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story. While less cohesive than his previous album, ARIZONA BABY parallels the projects that catapulted Brockhampton into the center of the rap game in 2017—showcasing his fearlessness and experimental energy conveyed by a unique blend of genres and rap style.
The majority of the eleven tracks are produced by both Romil Hemnani, Brockhampton’s resident producer, and Jack Antonoff, acclaimed songwriter and arranger of Bleacher’s fame whose influence can most commonly be seen through the considerable presence of instrumental sampling on many of the tracks.
On some tracks, Abstract is pushing the alternative hip-hop genre to the foreground, while on others he dips into a blend of rap, indie, and rock. Unexpected collaborations produce a unique blend of sounds and vibes, featuring artists like Ryan Beatty on “Baby Boy” (a resurgence of the indie alternative style on American Boyfriend), and Bearface, Joba, and Dominic Fike on “Peach” (a melancholic track reminiscent of late-90’s beach alt-rock).
The album opens strong with “Big Wheels,” featuring powerful rap verses laid over a lo-fi beat. The track spells out Abstract’s darkest inner struggles that stems from his hyper-awareness of the way people perceive him and his fame, and the resulting toll on his mental health. “Got a lot of guilt inside of me/ My n***as back home ain’t proud of me/ They think I’m a bitch, just queerbaitin.” One of the key signs of a well thought out album are the transitions between songs, which Abstract has mastered on this album. The horn leads at the end of “Big Wheels” blend seamlessly into the instrumentals at the start of “Joyride.”
The album is a sample of the artistic depth Abstract possesses. While the tracks that mirror his previous hip-hop successes are undoubtedly stronger, “American Problem,” (a rich and psychedelic blend of emotionally honest lyrics and silky instrumentals) showcases Abstract refining his skills and rejecting the confines of being considered solely a single genre artist. Abstract gives homage to Tyler, the Creator, saying “Ninth grade, Tyler was the illest shit I ever heard/ Going to his concerts, no mask, singing every word.” Many listeners have drawn comparisons between Brockhampton and Odd Future, and it is clear Abstract looks up to Tyler as a creative inspiration.
The theme of inner-conflict and isolation reappear throughout the album.
Some tracks on the album openly confront the Christian church’s hateful attitudes towards homosexuals. “Use Me,” opens with a sample of the New Jersey Mass Choir singing “The Harvest is Ripe” and a smooth beat before transitioning to Abstract rapping about feeling alienated. The vocal distortions on “Use Me” are reminiscent of an early Tyler, the Creator on his album Goblin.
On “Georgia,” Abstract interpolates Ray Charles’s “Georgia on My Mind,” and lays out some of the most personal lyricism of all of the tracks on the album. A pained confession his internal struggles, Abstract goes back to his childhood and his experience growing up still in the closet. “I often question/ I often wonder/ If I told this class I liked the n***a that sit in the back/ How bad would it make me suffer? Agh.”
“Mississippi,” is one of the weaker tracks on the album, leaning too heavily into auto-tune and echoing many of the issues listeners had with Brockhampton’s last album Iridescence. It’s not entirely that the track is a huge miss, but in comparison to the rest of the album—“Mississippi” feels like it would be better received if released as a single after more stylistic development.
Despite a few misses, Abstracts second album sets one thing clear to listeners—he’s got loads of talent and a future to look out for.
FAVORITE TRACKS:
Georgia
Joyride
Use me
Rating: 8
Listen to ARIZONA BABY here:
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