Wake up, Mr. West! After a two-and-a-half-year absence and plenty of controversy, Kanye West is returning with a vengeance. After holding a listening party at the United Center in Chicago, many fans thought we may get Kanye's new album, Vultures Vol. 1, when he said he would drop it. But in true Kanye fashion, he disappointed many fans on February 9th when he did not release the album. Thankfully, Kanye released the album just a day later, sometime around 3 A.M, on February 10th, and clarified to his fans via Instagram that he did not have a sample cleared by Ozzy Osbourne, which was the cause of the delay. I know Kanye has not been exactly the person he used to be, so let's not forget that he has two sides, which are the real-world Kanye, who is a scumbag, and the musical Kanye, who is a genius.
Kanye West's new album has a different sound than we are used to hearing from him, but it is standard for who is featured on the album. Plenty of the songs on the album are sampled from other songs, like Carnival, which is sampled from Kanye's' "Hell of a Life." While the album is one of his better works, I do not think it is his best; the first half of the album isn't the best. That is not to say it's terrible, because it does have good songs, like "STARS," "KEYS TO MY LIFE," and "HOODRAT," However, the second half of the album is a masterpiece, with songs like "PAPERWORK," "BURN," "CARNIVAL," and "F** SUMN." The album is a collaboration between Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign and is loaded with features like Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott.
After listening to Vultures Vol. 1 four times, I think it is a solid album. But, it cannot compete with albums like Graduation or My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the consensus top albums among Kanye enthusiasts. The album's production is definitely different; many people do not like it, understandably. The sound is different than I expected, but people, myself included, like it. The song "F** SUMN" has some unorthodox sounds that really mess with the mind, like the beat switches and catchy hook by Ty Dolla $ign, but what really makes it weird is the old-school Houston hip-hop sounds. This song includes some of Playboi Carti's most straightforward verses we've ever heard but also some of the weirdest Travis Scott touches we've ever heard. To me, it's like a Thanksgiving plate, some of the weirdest scraps all put together to make a legendary combo.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the entire album is Kanye wants to come off as cocky or brash but tries too hard to do so, and it negatively affects the lyrics. In the song "KING," Kanye wants to remind us who he used to be, which is the "king." But to be blunt, this song sucks; it is a terrible song to finish the album with; it is kind of catchy, but that's because of its annoying repetitiveness. In the song, he talks about what he did that led to his downfall and how he is "uncancelable," but it is a really poorly executed song. The song was thrown onto the album just to have it on there; it doesn't have any real significance to the album and was poorly written and executed.
This level of production from an artist who has been in the game for over 20 years is unheard of and should be appreciated. I am curious to know how he plans to top this album with Volume 2 or 3, as this is an excellent album with one more song potentially coming, it is just waiting for clearance. Furthermore, the sonic landscape created by Kanye in "Vultures Vol. 1" showcases his unparalleled talent for blending genres and experimenting with sound. From the soulful vocals to the intricate layers of instrumentation, every element of the album is meticulously crafted to evoke emotion and provoke introspection. Ultimately, "Vultures" is more than just an album; it's a masterpiece that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level. It's a testament to Kanye West's ability to challenge conventions, provoke thought, and inspire creativity—solidifying his lasting impact on the world of music.
Album of the year 🗣️
Great stuff