MFUAL

This is a really interesting time for me to cover this artist. Why? Because I feel I’ve witnessed a tonal shift with him. Granted he’s always been the experimental type but I feel more then ever he’s talking sonic liberties and pushing himself more then ever and this album is the final personification of that! So with that in mind let’s talk about it! This is the brand new album by MC -CboiGSauceGod and Producers -905 Beatz -Sypooda -Cesar Molina -SHRN -Aye Bynum -Imperial -Starkks -RC Spaced -Midas -Cboi And on this one we hear a literal mixed bag of sounds, inspirations and influences that make Choi who he is today. That could range from -Soul -DanceHall -Synth -Hip Hop -Trap -Boom Bap -Experimental -Jazz and more. Again he doesn’t have form of limits to what he can work with or more specifically ‘make work’ For himself and this album provides it! For example tracks like -Regrets which sounds like a mix of Snoop Dogg’s -Sensual Sensation and a Drake song. It has those Pop synth chords in that sharp notion that’s combined with those spacey second layer chords progressions with some scattered drums and electronic keys going off throughout the track! But in the second track -Kardashian Kush we have a more relaxed and Soulful mix that just warms the soul! We have two sets of vocal loops going off in vibrant motion that’s combined with some methodical drums, groovy plucked strings and some nice bass that wraps the whole track together! Or we can discuss the track -Bad Man which once again has a tonal shift that’s nothing like the other two tracks! This one reminds me more of mainstream trap! On some Young Thug type shit! This one has an infectious set of plucked strings with some electronic drum style with some scattered sounds that sounds like someone tapping their phones with the silent mode off! This one has a subtle hint of Spanish dance music energy to it! I can’t really describe it but you do feel the urge to groove while listening to this one! Hell, we can even look at the track -llrt a track I’m very familiar with! Because it was showcased in my ‘serpent certified’ showcase. He utilises a more dark Jazz rap feel with those alternative Jazz horns going off in the loop, accompanying by some long winded piano keys and classic Drums! This one is a traditional pure rap style track! Again proving that he doesn’t have a lane but instead capitalises on all of them! As far as the MC work goes it all depends on the track itself. Because as versatile as the beats are so are the performances by Cboi! You’ll never know what version you’ll get of him! On some tracks he uses auto tune and tries to experiment with that, on other tracks it’s straight, unrelenting hip hop bar fest! Others it’s a conceptual effort and others just groovy dance words to make you dance. I’ll be honest, some tracks just weren’t for me. That’s my personal bias. It doesn’t mean they are bad and the fact that he has the balls to push himself this far (as we saw plenty of times in those EP’s and singles) he dropped leading to this album he’s not afraid to show a side of him that doesn’t align with the current landscape we are hearing and that’s okay! In his own way he’s showing his strong lyricisms, he’s a thinking man. On tracks he’s turned dancehall or modern day trap he’s thinking ‘okay what style of rapping would suit this vibe?’ And he acts accordingly. On the cuts that are straight hip hop he gives us what most fans want which is a few fantastic verses with strong performances and wordplay! BUT on tracks that aren’t he also gives us a lively and unique style to suit whatever mood he’s trying to create and that’s a dope mindset to have! That’s like complaining John Wick is in a G rated kids movie and not killing anyone? One style doesn’t suit all and he’s actually trying to make sure each track and each different listening experience is served justice and whether you like it or not it’s a smart play! Look, if you don’t love every track that’s fine. But this man has put on an art class for us! He’s giving us a sample of his mindset his creativity and originality on display! 14 songs and 44 minutes of a mind let loose and I respect the hell out of him for it!