On record, a compelling version darkness is often just a half-step away from ennui. The Atlanta rapper21 Savage managed to stay closer to the former halfon last years excellentSavage Mode, where he sanded off his high-pitch yap into a sneakily melodic growl. Though many haveattributed that projects success to Metro Boomins productionstark and surreal, like glistening kaleidoscope lenses in a caveits cinematic pull was more rooted in the appeal of 21 Savages serrated persona. Yes, that persona islargely one-dimensional, but its unapologetically so in a way that folds the worlds excess into his worldview. The obvious example was No Heart, which found21 wantonly composing faux dialogue, telling his biography with lucid efficiency, and subverting raps come-up trope with his dark humor. Multi-car garages have been linked to his impish grin ever since.

His new recordIssa Albumthe name is a nod to a meme that helped in part to propel his famepeaks when it mines 21 Savages psyche and falters when it attempts to stretch out its breadth. The latter flaw is disheartening because its a needless one:Like No Heart, the debut albums clear standout Bank Accountfeaturing a melancholic acoustic sample produced by 21 himselfworks because of howhe convincingly paintsfame and violence with the same sanguine brush (Got em tennis chains on and they real blingy /Draco make you do the chicken head like Chingy). Hes also strong enough of a writer to strike with pointillistic detail, like he does on the Nothin New, which draws threads from Martin Luther Kings death to fatalistic hopelessness with sharp detail (Lost his faith in Jesus Chris, now he prayin to a bandana). Metro Boomin, who takes up the lions share of the production duties, still demonstrates the naturalabilityillustrate21s calcified reality. With his nefarious keys, 21s Have you ever made a nigga mama cry? on Close My Eyes feels like a lived nightmare.

But Issa Albumtasks itself with having the wide scope of an album, which forces 21 to rap along when he doesnt have much to say. As a result, his threats come across less dead-eyed and more sickly as the LP progresses.Issa Album also takes measures to show 21s romantic side. Theres Facetimea song about Facetimethat fits about as awkwardly as Hey Luv (Anything) would onThe Infamous.Issa Albumis neednt beThe Infamous, but it couldve benefitted from a clearer and tighter direction.

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Review: 21 Savage Hits the Limits of Nihilism on Issa Album | SPIN - SPIN