Weekly Crate Digging #5 - 10/19/22
SIMPLE - $NOT
SOFT 7/10
$NOT has always been known for his laid-back demeanor and nonchalant delivery and “SIMPLE” is no exception. The instrumental is sweet and repetitive, employing soft keys to lace the rapper’s effortless delivery. The entire track meshes together in a way that is enjoyable, but not conclusive; this leaves a little more to be desired in regard to his next full-length LP, but it’s enjoyable for now.
Just Wanna Rock - Lil Uzi Vert
SOLID 4/10
“Just Wanna Rock” is Lil Uzi Vert’s long-awaited official release for an unreleased teaser that has made the rounds on social media. Unfortunately, this formerly unfinished cut is still clearly unfinished. It’s either that or it is going to just be an interlude or intro for his upcoming album The Pink Tape. Regardless, the beat is bouncy and clearly inspired by New Jersey dance music, so while I can imagine it playing at parties or clubs, it’s lack of any lyrics or structure makes it virtually unlistenable right now.
I’m So Awesome - Kodak Black
SOFT 3/10
This song features some of Kodak Black’s most laughably boring bars. Featuring incredibly redundant strings to back Kodak’s pitiful performance, the rapper never changes his flow a single time or stops for a chorus break, or any type of way to make this track distinct within his discography.
B.R.O. (Better Ride Out) - A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (feat. Roddy Rich)
SOLID 4/10
Similar to Kodak Black’s new release, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie simply seems uninspired on this cut. The melodies he uses are recycled from many of his past projects and his lyrics remain as identically topical as any other Boogie song from the past few years. Roddy Rich sounds normal for once, after his slew of awkwardly stunted features and releases this year, but he sounds just as creatively unmotivated as his co-star on this song.
My Friends - Ty Dolla $ign (feat. Lil Durk)
STRONG 5/10
The beat is cheerful and Ty Dolla $ign sounds a lot more vibrant than usual on “My Friends”, but this new track can be boiled down to the agreeable theme of supporting whoever is most loyal to you. Lil Durk’s much more aggressive and drill-oriented bars slightly stilted the track’s merry manner, but it is easy to look past this within a largely inoffensive effort between the duo.
EDGING - blink-182
SOFT 2/10
When you immediately have to proclaim that you’re a “punk rock kid” as a band that is viewed to most as legendary within the genre, it’s quite the cringeworthy start. This candidly forward track about love-lost has no real substance, as it switches between typical punk-rebel rhetoric and trying to be romantically appealing to the narrative’s supposed love interest. Maybe it’s a good thing that the mainstream aged out of this era of music.