Review: 2/5
Best songs: “Words I Never Said”, “Show Must Go On”, “All Black Everything”
I’ll admit I was the biggest Lupe fan, nowadays not so much because I get the feeling Lupe just doesn’t want to make music anymore. He seems withdrawn and even cynical about the whole process and more concerned with making political statements. On top of that, my first few listens of Lasers, really didn’t make me comeback, aside from Lupe’s technical ability and some pop hooks, Lasers sounds like Atlantic’s pop version of Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
1. “Letting Go” (featuring Sarah Green) (Produced by King David)
Rapping through guitar rig, check. Singing in auto-tune through guitar rig about how the world is against me, check. Need I say more?
2. “Words I Never Said” (featuring Skylar Grey)(Produced by Alex da Kid)
Alex da Kid’s production is pretty awesome and Lupe’s in his zone doing the edutainment thing. And as always Skylar Grey gives the big hipster hook.
3. “Till I Get There” (Produced by Needlz)
Lupe sounds really disinterested over an uninspiring beat (go figure!). This the kind of song I would slit my wrist to if I grew up in Seattle.
4. “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” (featuring MDMA)The Audibles
Even though this beat takes the cake for the gayest beat in 2011, I really like how Lupe’s flowing on this, especially the “You a boy band with a dance and a twirl” line. The chorus is pretty Taoi Cruz sounding.
5. “Out of My Head” (featuring Trey Songz) (Produced by Miykal Snoddy)
Beware: another uninspired woman pandering song for the radio. Lupe it might help if you actually fell in love with an actual girl before you attempt a song like this.
6. “The Show Goes On” (Produced by Kane Beatz)
Now this is how the whole album should have sounded, bringing vintage Lupe over south style drums rapping about issues he actually cares about. You cannot get chills when he says, “I hope your son, don’t have a gun and never be a d-boy”.
7. “Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways)” (featuring MDMA)(Produced by King David)
Another Dark Fantasy ish hook, which isn’t surprising because I see K.West as a credit. Lupe’s got a really abstract style here which I’m not sure is ether because he’s become complacent or actually cares, judging by his aggression here, I’ll choose the latter.
8. “Coming Up” (featuring MDMA)(Produced by King David)
This sounds like one of those boring songs on either Jay-Z’s Blueprint 2 or 3 except instead of pandering to the ‘hood, Lupe’s pandering to every other disfranchised group: little girls, backpackers and anyone else that likes cats. I’m not really sure what Lupe’s thinking here, but then again the A&R was probably like “yes more gay singing on a rap album”.
9. “State Run Radio” (featuring Matt Mahaffey) (Produced by King David)
I may buy a song about the evils of commercial radio if it we’re from a band on an indie label and didn’t have this doo-wop-pop hook. I would feel really embarrassed to be bumping this in the whip (especially the chorus).
10. “Break the Chain” (featuring Eric Turner and Sway)(Produced by King David)
Aside from super cheesy trance synths and a ’96 techno sounding hook, which isn’t as bad as it sounds, Lupe’s foray into dub step isn’t a complete train wreck. That is until some English chaps show up and decide to rap. For some reason which is likely due to my ignorance, I can’t stand someone with a British accent trying to rap.
11. “All Black Everything” (Produced by Ishi)
When I first heard this song months ago, I was floored. Brilliant concept, great lyrics, and an all-purpose dreamy beat, what more do I need? Nothing. Hands down best song on the album.
12. “Never Forget You” (featuring John Legend) (Produced by Jerry Duplessis, Syience, Arden Altino)
I think one of the biggest criticisms Lupe dealt with on his previous albums was that he didn’t talk about his upbringing and I can now see why, it was mad boring.
Last Word
The last song pretty much sums up the majority of the album, uptight raps with uninspired pop hooks. As someone that loved Lupe’s previous efforts, I’m kind of glad he’s giving up music. Lupe really needs to find something fun in his life to rap about, because the world Lupe lives in everyone is out to get him either because he’s black, muslim, a nerd, a rapper or all four. I can’t relate to any of that and wouldn’t want to listen to a whole album about the life a repressed dweeb even when his technical abilities are uncanny.
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