Yeezy Season Approaching..

It distresses me just how much Ye has slipped from the dizzying heights of his first 5 albums, all of which I consider masterpieces (yes, even 808s). He seems to have let his other passions get in the way of his music somewhat, not that I have any massive problem with that, he will be successful at anything he chooses to do. But that’s no excuse for putting out songs and verses that are just plain bad, which he has unfortunately done far too much in the last 5 years. Just a few weeks ago he released Facts, and my worst fears for SWISH were being confirmed. The song was nothing but Kanye being obnoxious and needlessly self-affirming, with lazy lyrics, a lazy beat and a cringe worthy delivery. I suspect that after seeing the reaction to Facts, Kanye must have realised that he needed to win a lot of people over again, and set to work returning to what made him such a revolutionary rapper and producer in the first place.

Since then, Kanye has put out two tracks that have done a lot to revitalise my confidence in him. The first was Real Friends, a rap ballad of sorts, which as soon as I heard it reminded me of early Ye, specifically songs like Family Business and Heard ‘Em Say. “Real Friends, how many of us? How many of us, how many jealous?” Kanye opens with, beautifully and concisely setting up what he is trying to say. This is the most reflective and personal I’ve heard Kanye since Blame Game. I think every listener can relate to some degree with what Kanye is saying in this song, something I don’t think can be said about much of his post 2010 output thus far. I think this side of Kanye has been all but forgotten by most people, which is a real shame considering just how down to earth and soulful a lot of his early songs were. The lyrics are kept simple and too the point for the entire runtime, which really gives the song a chance to breathe and sink in. The bridge is sung by Ty Dolla $ign, who I think does a great job complimenting Kanye’s delivery and breaking up his verses. Likewise, the beat does a great deal to give the song an emotional boost. I’m glad to see that Ye produced it himself, as I’d started to lose a bit of faith in him as a producer too. Overall the song was a great return to form.

The next track, released on Monday, was teased at at the end of Real Friends, and promised a different sound entirely. I like No More Parties in L.A just as much as Real Friends, but for completely different reasons. The track features Kendrick Lamar, who is in my opinion the best in the game right now. It’s a testament to Ye then that he managed to wipe the flaw with K. dot on this track. Both verses are great, but Ye steals the show for sure. The beat was done in collaboration with legendary producer Madlib, who gives the track a fiery but deeply soulful feel. I loved this beat, but then I don’t think I’ve heard a Madlib beat that I haven’t liked yet. The wordplay by both MC’s is where the real meat of this track lies however. Ye is back to spitting bar after bar of pure fire here, even claiming that “the writers block is over..”. Whilst I’m still a little sceptical as to whether he’s back to his lyrical best, this verse certainly does a lot to prove his point. Kanye raps for over 3 minutes continuously and doesn’t let up for one second. He is able to refer to a vast array of topics including his past, his family, his lifestyle and much more without it coming off as cheap. In contrast to Real Friends, here Ye is trying to prove something, prove that he can still rap as hard as he used to. Perhaps that is why he invited Kendrick on to this track, to prove he can still hold his own against the best. Kendrick also spits a strong verse, but given his recent output that’s hardly surprising. I think overall he is outshadowed, partly due to his verse coming first and being a little shorter than Ye’s. But it doesn’t matter, just the sheer fact that both of these legends are on the same track, spitting great line after great line over a Madlib beat is enough to send me into musical euphoria.

I would argue that these are Kanye’s best two tracks since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and have finally got me truly hyped for SWISH next month. I am still a little on edge as to whether he can’t put together another game changing album, but what can always be guaranteed is that Ye will have some genuine surprises to throw at us on this album and beyond. 

Listen to the tracks over on Kanye's Soundcloud page.