A Unique Rap Legacy: No Pressure Album Review
By Luke Modugno
If any phrase could sum up the 10-year career Logic has crafted, it would be “roller coaster ride.” Although Logic has decided to retire to focus on his family, including his newborn son Bobby, his career and all of its bruises and blemishes will not be forgotten soon. With plenty of solid mixtapes under his belt and a catalog of albums made up of peaks and valleys, Logic is leaving the rap game with no second thoughts, no regrets and No Pressure.
In his sixth and final studio album, Logic seems at peace with how his legacy is going to be remembered. The project is a follow-up and nod to his debut album Under Pressure, which partly focused on the struggles of being a major label artist at Def Jam and VMG, record labels he’s now more-or-less the face of. No Pressure focuses on life as a father and husband, as Logic composes witty punchlines about changing diapers and just how much his current life juxtaposes his early life.
The project is executively produced by Logic’s friend and mentor NO I.D., the mind behind the sound of Under Pressure and the producer Logic credits the bulk of his artistic development. From the opening moments of No Pressure, the beat selection and production immediately captures the ear of the listener. The beats are light, buoyant, rosy and sample heavy. Logic’s rapid-fire rhymes and clever wordplay fit perfectly on most if not all of the beats. But the production is varied enough to give No Pressure a colorful pallet for Logic to use as he pleases. The project has hype tracks like “Perfect” and “Celebration,” while also possessing smooth, atmospheric songs like “man i is” and “DadBod.” Logic’s close friend and producer 6ix makes valuable contributions to the tracklist as well, as he flips OutKast classics “Elevators (Me & You)” and “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.” Alongside NO I.D.’s production on Under Pressure and 6ix’s on Bobby Tarantino, No Pressure is one of Logic’s most well produced albums.
Along with rapping about teaching his newborn son his ABC’s, Logic is rather introspective and meditative on his unorthodox and unlikely journey in the rap game. While with his full length projects he’s always gravitated toward rapping about social issues, it's no longer the focus of his subject matter. However, the outro is a speech from late actor Orson Welles about racial inequities in America. Logic never shies away from discussing pertinent contemporary issues on No Pressure, especially on tracks like “Dark Place” and “Open Mic//Aquarius III.” Unlike recent projects, Logic’s pen game is in rare form, as his intricate flows and wordplay are intriguing and often impressive. “DadBod” is one of the most creatively written songs to come out this year, as Logic takes the listener through the not-so-exciting daily life of being a married father. Logic flows effortlessly and with a sense of swagger over the lavish 6ix and NO I.D. production on “man i is” and “No Pressure (Intro).” Purely referring to the technical side of rapping, this album is only second to The Incredible True Story within Logic’s discography. If you didn’t like Logic before No Pressure, it surely won't act as a revelation to your opinion of him. From the occasional monologue from his fictional artificial intelligence robot Thalia, to nods to his favorite bars from them, Logic is still wearing his influences on his sleeve on No Pressure. There are still the painfully corny lines appearing from time-to-time. But this project is Logic doing what he has made a career of: spitting lightning quick bars with witty word play over top tier production.
Hip hop has never seen something quite like Logic’s career arc and wildly changing trajectory. From his polished mixtape catalog featuring the Young Sinatra and Bobby Tarantino series, to his great albums like The Incredible True Story, and his not-so-great albums, Logic has truly left his mark on the genre. No Pressure functions as a surprisingly graceful exit for the 30-year-old. He leaves behind a unique rap legacy for a life of solitude, fatherhood and family, a life with No Pressure.
favorite tracks
No Pressure (Intro)
DadBod
man i is
Rating: 7.5
Listen to No Pressure here:
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