Chicago native Lupe Fiasco’s third studio album dropped last week after three years of tweaking, much to fans’ dismay. The album collectively deviates from Fiasco’s previously perfected easygoing repertoire, however has moments of notable greatness.
There’s something nostalgic about “Till I Get There” that reminds me of early Fiasco from the “Kick Push” days. If there’s one thing he’s perfected in his career, it’s the ability to combine simple beats with seemingly effortless lyrics for an unmistakeable personalized sound. Where were more tracks like this, Lupe?
The second single released (after “The Show Goes On” released in October and brilliantly sampling Modest Mouse’s “Float On”), “Words I Never Said” features up and comer Skylar Grey, who has been featured on other recent hits like Diddy-Dirty Money’s “Coming Home” and Eminem’s “I Need a Doctor”. This track, while containing overwhelming political undertones, has an undeniably catchy chorus. Whether or not it should have been such an early single is questionable, but Grey’s recently acquired fan base should help launch its popularity.
In my opinion, “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” should be released as the next single. It has definite mass appeal including a fantastic hook from MDMA. The beat has Timbaland-like qualities, which alone would be an indicator of instant radio hype for those unable to appreciate Fiasco’s more understated songs.
Personally, I found the album to stray a little too far from what Fiasco’s signature laid back sound and veer into the overly-mainstream zone, but overall found the album enjoyable. Fiasco experimented with a variety of different sounds and a exhibited collection of impressive collaborations making the album likable, but hopefully Fiasco returns to his roots in Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album scheduled to be released later this year.
