![]() ![]() were both released to mediocre reception from many including myself. Dude’s first 2 mixtapes Longterm & Longterm 2: Lifestyles of the Broke & Almost Famous would begin to turn heads & I can’t forget about his first 2 full-lengths Longterm Mentality & Control System going on to become the Black Lip Bastard’s most acclaimed efforts to date, but These Days… & Do What Thou Wilt. ![]() The pair would be short lived however, as Soulo would go on to sign to Top Dawg Entertainment & has remained under Top Dawg’s wing since. These songs repeatedly remind the listener that everyone has to make decisions in life, and then deal with the outcomes.Ab-Soul is a 35 year old MC & singer/songwriter from Carson, California who came up as 1/2 of the duo Area 51 alongside Snake Hollywood. His own journey as well as how he assesses the journey of life is very grounded, personal, but also broad enough that the listener can relate their own anecdotal moments to particular songs. This project at times also has a cinematic feel to it, bordering the line between short film and episodic reviews of Ab-Soul’s journey. These songs also bring up the following reminder: it’s important to remember what each of us has gone through to get to where one is today. Life is made up of moments, anecdotal lessons that each of us draws upon depending on the situation one is facing. This album digs into the cyclical nature of life. As the second verse of Positive Vibes Only digs into above, there’s a theme of ups and downs, good and bad. Positive Vibes Only, Hollandaise, Herbert, Do Better, and Go Off are the five tracks that’ll likely be in rotation on and off for the foreseeable future for this writer. But, a few that sound like they’ll be on playlists long after this album comes and goes. Yeah, unbreakable, it’s show time, your time is unescapable Ab-Soul, verse 2 on “Positive Vibes Only”Įvery track on this album is pretty good. That’s common sense, you confident, you competent, you capable ![]() You made it too if you listenin’, there’s no limit in what you able to Standout tracks & Final Verdictīut all I do is persevere, you heard right, I’m still here There’s a connection to themes mentioned above, but also moments of juxtaposition, misunderstanding, and also snapshots that exhibit what’s influenced the creation of Herbert, aka Ab-Soul. From there until “Positive Vibes Only” feels like a series of anthropological episodes similar to season three of Atlanta. It’s not until “Do Better” where things feel are a bit more focused. Ideas such as losing one’s head in a myriad of ways has almost a double entendre feel to it, but also doesn’t connect the same for this listener. After this third track, “Moonshooter” through “Goodman” are further reflections. Technology changes and time moves forward, but one’s efforts to grow and execute must continue onward. Soulo reveals an instance where the example set around him was part of that consistent work towards where he is today. Grabbed the mic and never put it down Ab-Soul, verse 3 of “ Hollandaise” I took it as a sign, got my book of rhymes Still got a cousin in Compton that was making beats Metasota had me on AIM, teaching me how to flip it Then it was Black Planet freestyle chat on a compact tryna get itĪOL free trials on dial-up, millennials won’t get itīattle mongers, grim reapers, A5 stay live, I’ll never forget it Several of these ideas arise when digging into this third verse: The latter in particular is rather understated when it comes to “Hollandaise”, as the real flex is getting after whatever the proverbial “it” is for each of us. Reflection, intention, and consistency are the themes of the first three tracks. ![]() This tool of vulnerability and openness also brings about what Herbert digs into, these grander ideas and motifs. There are only a handful of those moments on this project, and none are as clear as the opening track. The length of their appearance doesn’t really matter. This moment brings about a mixture of authenticity, vulnerability, and openness. When someone records a family member, a friend or noted acquaintance on their album, there’s a feeling of approachability from the start. Herbert subtly peaked this reviewer’s interest and then lowered its hold, until it ramped up again as if one soundwave, composed of 18 varying highs and lows. This December 16th, 2022, release is packed full of rhymes this project both has smooth sounds but also draws you in with attention-grabbing narrative. Ab-Soul overdelivers to Hip-Hop fans in the form of his newest album, Herbert. 2023 is underway and it’s time to get back into our review series A Week’s Worth Album Review. ![]()
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