Action Bronson: ‘Only For Dolphins’ Album Review
By Luke Modugno
Everyone can appreciate a well-executed album concept. Weather it be a psychedelic journey through Travis Scott’s fantasy theme park in ASTROWORLD, a journey through the complex, intricate layers of the mind of a troubled genius in Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, or the depiction of a world ruled by a ruthless masked conqueror in Madvillainy, albums simply separate themselves from the ordinary with a intriguing concept. That was absolutely the case with the tropical, exotic new Action Bronson record, Only for Dolphins.
Excluding his collaborative record with The Alchemist, we haven’t heard a full-length solo album from the New York native since 2018. Since then, Bronson has clearly been in the lab, as Only for Dolphins is by far-and-away his most eccentric, compelling and distinguished record to date.
From the opening moment of the record, the production is extremely unique and attention-grabbing. Defined by the occasional dolphin noise, the sound of waves crashing and warm, plucky guitars and inviting pianos, the listener can’t help but feel transported into a Miami-vice-esque world created by Bronson’s beat selection. With help from prestigious producers The Alchemist, Harry Fraud and Daringer, Bronson spits entrancingly smooth bars about his foreign travels, eating international exquisite cuisines and his driving his luxury cars “like Dale Sr.” The infusion occasional oceanographical reference along with Bronson’s usual lyrical topics add a signature touch to Only for Dolphins, definitively isolating it from the rest of his discography. Conceptually, the project is unparagoned and inherently enthralling. Only for Dolphins’ soundscape makes you feel as though you’re laying on a exotic beach in a cabana, or riding down Calle Ocho in a drop-top convertible.
Bronson also dabbles in genre-bending, as multiple records on Only for Dolphins have unmistakable reggae influences, including “Cliff Hanger,” and “Golden Eye.” Additionally, Bronson favors more psychedelic, hypnotizing subject matters and beat selection on tracks like “C12H16N2,” as we follow Bronson through a shroom trip while attending an early screening of “The Irishman” at Lincoln Center. From the lethargic, slower beats on “Vega” and “Hard Target,” to uptempo head-nodders like “Latin Grammys” and “Mongolia,” Bronson kills whatever challenge comes his way. Bronson’s usual boom-bap, classic New York sound is nowhere to be seen. Instead, Only for Dolphins represents Bronson’s arc of progression as an artist, as he seems much more comfortable taking on a diversified palette of beats.
One of the few negative aspects of the project comes from the lack of guest appearances on Only for Dolphins. Excluding two tracks, the album is devoid of features. On tracks like “Latin Grammys,” “Hard Target,” or “Marcus Auerlius,” a feature from an R&B artist would’ve helped mitigate moments where Bronson somewhat awkwardly delivers hooks.
All across Only for Dolphins, Bronson chooses to slow things down. While he sounds less hungry than he did on earlier works like Mr. Wonderful, Bronson sounds older and wiser on this project, as he spits on “C12N16H2,” “I got older and realized there were no heroes/Dont even talk to me unless you’re talking more zeros.” The lack of venom in Bronson’s flows fits the album perfectly, as the sonic backdrop provided by the production fits a more lackadaisical delivery. Additionally, we get flashes of unusual introspection from Bronson on tracks like the off-kilter closer “Hard Target,” where he raps, “The weed don’t even hit me like it used to/When I was youthful/Man, I don’t even know how to pray dog.” Only for Dolphins is the perfect project for those missing vintage Bronson, but are ready for something significantly distinct as compared to his prior efforts.
Through-and-through, this project is easily one of the best-produced records to drop this year. At this point in his rather distinguished career, Bronson can truly take his artistry in whatever direction he likes and it will likely be a success. Bronson challenges his own artistic tendencies with Only for Dolphins and it pays off.
Favorite tracks
C12H16N2
Latin Grammys
Sergio
Rating: 8.5
Listen to Only For Dolphins here:
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