You guys knew damn well I had to do this as soon as it dropped. I mean, it's only right. It felt like forever waiting for this guy to finally drop his album. All those pushbacks while everybody else was putting out so much music. I was here asking "where's Isaiah, man?". The wait was way too long, Isaiah's album was overdue. I was on Instagram fully making rants, asking Zaywop where the album was. How you let Kendrick drop another project before we could even get your long-awaited debut?! untitled unmastered was unnecessary, could've saved that for another time. TDE could've used March as an opportunity to get out Rashad's album. ScHoolboy Q's release of his fourth album, Blank Face LP was necessary though. It was only right that we had a solid follow up to the average Oxymoron. In fact, Blank Face still remains one of my favourite albums so far this year. Has so much replay value, and there's hardly any bad tracks (maybe 1 or 2, but that's out of 17. The album is almost flawless). And after 2 years of waiting for Isaiah to drop new shit, it's finally here. No more ranting on Insta. No more going on YouTube to find snippets and wonder whether it'll come out eventually. The day has come. It's finally here...
In case you haven't caught up, Chattanooga rapper Isaiah Rashad released his debut EP Cilvia Demo in January 2014. The sound and concept of the project was enough to interest fans, who regarded it as one of the best albums of 2014, which was a very dry and disappointing year. Isaiah made it onto the XXL Freshman list in the same year, and toured with ScHoolboy Q on the Oxymoron tour. 2014 was the year that Isaiah really broke through, and along with fellow signees ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul & SZA, was really eating that year.
But by 2015, he ended up being quiet until he dropped a new single in September called "Nelly", a song originally planned to be on his then-upcoming debut album. He planned to release his album by the end of the year, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. So fast forward to January 2016, and he released another single "Smile", another song that was planned to be on his debut. The song was positively received, and increased the album's hype. For the next few months, he was pretty quiet, with a few snippets that came out and made fans even more anticipated for the album. In May, Isaiah was finally done with the album. It just needed to be mixed and mastered. August was when he finally broke his silence and released "Free Lunch", the album's first single a song that was widely praised and received very well by fans. In the same month, he followed it up with "i mean", a throwaway that he made for a planned mixtape. He then revealed the cover art and title for the album, releasing one more gem called "Park" before the album drops. But now, it's September 2. The moment the fans have been waiting for. The long awaited release of The Sun's Tirade,
The Sun's Tirade was very anticipated by fans, and experienced a lot of pushbacks. According to a recent podcast episode with Juan Epstein, Isaiah had said that he was dealing with a Xanax and alcohol addiction while on the Oxymoron tour in 2014, which really affected him for a long time. Due to this, he almost got dropped from TDE and was even banned from putting out music until he got his shit together. The silence from Isaiah formed a lot of anticipation for his next album, which was arguably the most anticipated TDE release, especially after Kendrick released To Pimp a Butterfly. The album was originally supposed to be released before the end of 2014, and then before the end of 2015, before being pushed back once again to this September. It is the third Top Dawg release of the year, the previous being Kendrick Lamar's untitled unmastered in March and ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP in July. The album features 17 tracks with guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, SZA, Kari Faux, SiR, Syd tha Kid and more.
Anyway, I'm hyped to review this joint. The time has finally come and I ain't waiting any longer to write about it. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. where u at?
A little opening voicemail skit from Dave Free, who is pretty much asking Isaiah about what the fans have been bugging him about: where the album is, and what's taking him so long. Dave doesn't understand the process and feels like Isaiah doesn't care about his fans, cos he ain't putting out the album. It sets the mood very well, and I like how it mocks how the fans have been bugging Isaiah about the album. Anyway, on to the next one.
2. 4r da Squaw
The album really kicks off here, where Isaiah makes a chill track, taking time to reminisce about his life back at his hometown Chattanooga, along with his friends and family that miss him. He uses a laidback and lazy flow, and he really flows over his 2 verses very well. The production from FrancisGotHeat is just amazing, got me bumping my head non stop. This song is too wavey, man!
3. Free Lunch
The album's first single, which, last month, pretty much was a sign that Isaiah was finally gonna drop another album after 2 years. I remember when snippets of this tune came out in February. I was fully playing that snippet repeatedly, being mad that Isaiah was taking too long with the project. When it dropped while I was on holiday, I was straight banging it out, dancing to it and shit. It's still one of my favourites on the album. I love the production on here, so laidback and something I can always vibe to. The hook is way too catchy, I always love to sing the hook, haha! And Isaiah really delivered with his short but sweet verses, he flowed over the beat like it was nothing. I love this track!
4. Rope (feat. SiR)/rosegold
The Antydote & J.LBS link up with Zay for a double track. The first part "Rope", produced by The Antydote, has SiR on background vocals while Isaiah does a verse, where he sings about his father and how he called him, crying. The beat is pretty soulful, and has a rocky feel. Isaiah's raspy singing really suited the beat very well.
The second part is "rosegold", which has a J.LBS beat that reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest so much. It sounds like an Ummah/J Dilla beat that could've been on Beats, Rhymes and Life. Isaiah's verse is a lot more impressive and his flow is even better than before. It was a lot easier for me to vibe to this than the previous part. This is some trippy nostalgic 1996 Tribe shit and Isaiah didn't fail to impress me. One of my favourites on the album.
5. Wat's Wrong (feat. Zacari & Kendrick Lamar)
When I saw the tracklist for the album, I was hyped that Isaiah finally did a joint with K Dizzle. The amount of times fans asked for this, and we were finally gonna get it. And now that it's here, it doesn't disappoint. The beat is just too chill and got me bumping my head so much. In this song, Isaiah battles with his emotions, and his first verse was great. I loved his flow and delivery. Kendrick comes through and snaps like it's nothing, crafting such a technically outstanding verse, with his alliteration of Ms & Bs. His flow was on some André 3000 shit, and I loved how he questions his intentions in his verse. It's the reason why he's easily the best rapper out right now. He never disappoints. Anyway, Isaiah comes back with another verse, and his flow this time is out of this world, GOD DAMN! He killed it 1nce again. Zacari's hook is also nice as well, and he sings pretty well on this, he really puts the track together. This song is probably the best song on the album.
6. Park
This was also previewed in February. I wasn't hyped for this as much as I was for "Free Lunch", but when this song came last week on SoundCloud, I was fawking with it a lot. This shit really BANGED! And the bass on here is too much. wooooo. Great song.
7. BDay (feat. Kari Faux & Deacon Blue)
A birthday celebration song, which centers on how Isaiah felt when he turned 25, happy and out of control. Ktoven is on the boards, along with Deacon Blue, who also has some vocals on this track. The beat is just out of the world, I could just imagine TUT just killing this shit, as a matter of fact, he could've jumped on this. Isaiah's flow sounds more depressing and dull, but still impressive. Kari Faux comes through and ends the song with a catchy outro, and she does her thing, so it's cool. I just love the song, everybody does their thing, and the flow & delivery was on point. The production was on another level, and I loved it. Another standout!
8. Slikk da Shocka (feat. Syd)
The Internet lead singer Syd comes through, linking up with Zay for a romantic track (named after the legendary No Limit rapper), pretty much similar to Cilvia Demo track "West Savannah" with SZA. Here, he sings with Syd about how much his lover means to him. He left her to pursue his music career, but now he's on his own and is missing his girl dearly. It's pretty depressing, but so beautiful at the same time. But like "West Savannah", it feels so short, and I would've loved it more if it was extended/longer.
9. Tity and Dolla (feat. Hugh Augustine & Jay Rock)
This is the song!!!! I just heard snippets of this last week, and I was even more hyped for the album. And it's here. The sample is just too chill, and the way Pops & Crooklin flipped it was amazing. Isaiah did his thing with his verse, and his flow was on point. His hook even had some references to OutKast's Stankonia. Hugh Augustine was up next, and he delivered too. But shit, Jay Rock snapped, wasn't expecting himself to kill it like that! His verse was fire. But I just love this beat way too much, it's FUEGO, man. Too wavey! One of my favourites.
10. Stuck in the Mud (feat. SZA)
We all know that anytime Zaywop & SZA link up, they don't disappoint. They're just like Big Sean & Jhené Aiko or Drake & Rihanna. They have such chemistry. Ronnie Drake, West Savannah and Warm Winds. Now this one! This one is a 2-part track, and the first part sounds very nostalgic, and has a similar feel to OutKast's Aquemini (the title track) with the rumbling bass, dry rattle and bass-heavy live sounding drums that feel drenched underwater. SZA comes through on the hook, and her vocals are amazing as usual. But Isaiah's verses really impressed me, as he raps about how helpless he is, even with the advantages he has. His flow was also amazing, and it was impressive too. The second verse even had a style that was reminiscent of Slum Village.
The second part is a lot more depressing, talking about Xannies and also hinting at how his girl is controlling. So he asks to work on himself, as he's dealing with problems. It's pretty interesting, as it's like he's talking to himself. Plus, he even sounds a lot more unfocused, to the point he's not even rhyming at times. It's not better than the first part, but I still fawk wit it tho. The change in mood on this song was amazing.
11. A Lot
Who would've thought someone like Zaywop would get on a Mike Will Made It beat? I never thought it would ever happen, to be honest, so I was very surprised. But it didn't disappoint, it BANGS like a MF, and I can even imagine so many people on the beat. Rae Sremmurd, Future, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Lil Wayne, so many people! And Zay killed it with his lazy flow, he really rode on this beat so well.
12. AA
Another banger, as he raps about his alcohol problems, but at the same time, thanks God for his money, bitches and all that. But he switches up his flow on the second verse and he delivers so well. I actually fawk with this, and I thought it would be wack.
13. Dressed Like Rappers
Ooooh, this is ill. I like this. He starts off with a very nice hook, and his singing on there was actually decent. But his verses were amazing, as he touches on drugs, depression and love. It feels quick tho, and I was expecting another verse.
14. Don't Matter
Something a lot more different. Shit reminds me of OutKast and Gorillaz to be honest. I can hear 2D and André 3000's vocals all over this beat. Zaywop flows on this energetic beat about sex and faith, and he does well, he really impress me with his flow and content. Lance Skiiiwalker is on the hook and he does his thing too with his vocals. I really dig how energetic and upbeat it is, this is some OutKast/B.O.B shit.
15. Brenda
According to Isaiah himself, "Brenda" is a dedication in memory of his late grandma, and it's just too groovy, has that jazzy TPAB vibe. Zay delivers with his flow and impressive wordplay, and I love it. The beat is just as good as the bars, Chris Calor really came through with some fire, that beat has some nostalgic chill vibe to it. And when Zay comes through with his second verse, he sounds so much like Pimp C/Big K.R.I.T. It's just hard to not hear the similarities. And the sax on here is amazing, props to Terrace Martin. Another standout!!!
16. by george (outro)
The "outro" to the album, which is pretty chill and laidback. Isaiah still comes with his singing I've-been-up-for-2-days-straight ass flow throughout the whole song, and I like it still. The beat is so wavey and fire, and Zay's crooning all over the track is nice AF.
17. Find a Topic (homies begged)
RAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! This is just too much. Vibes are just in full effect, and it's amazing. I almost thought this song was gonna be some lyrical "Soliloquy" shit, but nah, it's even better. Isaiah's flow is just on point, and his verses were great. His background adlibs even made the song a lot better. I can straight ride to this shit, it's just too wavey. One of my favourites and a great way to end the album.
Final Thoughts
If this is was 2 years of anticipation leads to, then shit, I wouldn't mind if we waited every 2 years for another album from Isaiah. Nah, I'm lying. I bet by January 2017, I'll being asking for some more new music. The Sun's Tirade was worth the wait. I was hyped for this album, and it didn't fail to deliver. 2 years since we've got a new project from Zay, and we got 16 new tracks, and they don't disappoint like DAMN!!!!
I mean, let's talk about the production. Such a step up from Cilvia, and all of the beats were fire and so impressive. There's a better variety of beats on the album, than there was on Cilvia. "Tity and Dolla", "Wat's Wrong" and "rosegold" are some of the best instrumentals on the album, and those were the ones that really impressed me and had me bumping my head non stop! "Wat's Wrong" and "Tity & Dolla" are just straight bangers! They stay on repeat, I can easily just ride to them songs. And "rosegold" reminds me of some '96 Ummah shit, it's way too nostalgic for me, it's like I'm on a trippy ride when that beat drops. "Don't Matter" is some OutKast/Gorillaz type shit. As I said before, I can imagine 2D & Andre 3000 all over that song. "Rope" sounded like some indie rock song, and his vocals were pretty impressive. And "A Lot" is so sinister, but bangs at the same time, I can imagine so much people on that joint.
The features also did their thing, and really delivered. SZA was nice with her background vocals on "Stuck in the Mud", she could've did a verse, would've loved to hear more of her wonderful singing. Kendrick Lamar killed it as usual on "Wat's Wrong". Jay Rock snapped on "Tity and Dolla", same with Hugh Augustine. Syd's soft background vocals on "Slikk da Shocka" gave such a good romantic & depressing vibe to the song. Isaiah's flows have improved and stepped up too, I really loved his flow on songs like "Wat's Wrong", "Tity and Dolla" and "Find a Topic (homies begged)". He even knew how to switch it up on tracks such as "A Lot", "AA" and "Park". But one thing was that I was expecting more hard hitting lyrical/deep cuts like "Tranquility", "Soliloquy" and "Shot You Down", and even if there wasn't much of that, I'm glad that Isaiah gave us fans some chill shit, and he really progressed with his sound.
So yeah, in conclusion, I loved The Sun's Tirade, a pretty solid album. Cop this shit! It was worth the wait, and almost every song was a highlight. Is it better than Cilvia? I don't know yet, I might need a few more listens. But so far, I love it, it's probably the best TDE project released this year (that's only if Soul doesn't drop this year). And it might be AOTY. Mick Jenkins just needs to deliver some next level shit on The Healing Component so that he can take Isaiah's spot for AOTY.
Recommended Tracks
Wat's Wrong
Tity and Dolla
Find a Topic (homies begged)
rosegold
Brenda
Bday
Free Lunch
Stuck in the Mud
4r da Squaw
Pretty much all of the tracks are recommendable
No comments:
Post a Comment