I have to admit that when I first turned on the whole album I knew that I should expect the unexpected. And yet it surprised me, and many times. At the outset, however, it must be said that this is a completely different album than the aforementioned “Let’s Start Here.”which may be quite a big disappointment for many. This is yet another sign that Lil Yachty wants to move even further away from typical American hip-hop and find his own genre. With all this, it would be hard to find a better companion for him than James Blake.
It is enough to take the opening song of the entire album as a background. “Save The Savior”to understand how well their voices fit together. For example, Lil Yachty’s repeated “somebody save the savior” in the chorus and Blake’s vocals in the background, create really beautiful colors like prayers, which are a pleasure to listen to.
Another song over 6 minutes long “In Gray”this is in a way the quintessence of the whole thing “Bad Cameo”. This track breaks all conventions that apply in rap. The amount of ambient inserts, extensive harmonies, numerous beat switches, or calm, very colorful and melodic vocals are what define the entire album.
There are two songs on the album that stand out quite significantly above the rest. “Midnight” and “Wow”. You could say that they are less demanding and more accessible to the average listener, but with all this you can hear that we are dealing with music that can approach experimental and presents something fresh. I think that the title track “Bad Cameo” must be written off as a minus, as it sounds like a failed attempt to create something great.
Despite everything, I feel a bit disappointed. Looking at what James Blake has shown on previous projects and how far Lil Yachty has departed from the convention of a typical rapper, I expected something bolder in a less ambient sense. Something that will go down in history. And I have the impression that in a month no one will remember this album. There are moments that captivate, that attract, that are simply beautiful. The only question is whether these moments will be enough.
James Blake x Lil Yachty “Bad Cameo”, Motown