In essence, Harlan & Alondra feels like an older album in the same way that Buddy gives the impression of rappers from the past, but when you add in modern day energy, the album becomes very special.
Harlan & Alondra’s eclectic, sun-soaked feel doesn’t out-stay its welcome, and is as culturally vital as it is refreshing.
Harlan & Alondra will have to be crowbarred out of end-of-year lists come December. An absolute triumph.
Buddy’s self-acceptance ensures his future in Hip Hop is bright and shines through on Harlan & Alonda. The pursuit of his goals has finally paid off with this grand debut.
On their newest record, Buddy brings infectious rhythms again and again, while delivering stories from the heart that will leave you heartbroken at times.
Unlike many of his more prominent regional peers, he’s no street rapper; his perspective is largely that of a bystander, close enough to suffer the turbulence but removed enough to avoid succumbing to it.
I've enjoyed Buddy's laid back introspective ambient Cali vibes since Idle Time, and while some of this is very good, I could do without some of the full-pop (Khalid feat.) and without some of the cliche bars ("fuck donald trump" I mean I agree, but everyone's said it and there's no context here lol). Still over all the sound he's cultivated fully fleshed out here is the sound I've been waiting on him to finally achieve since 2014.
Album rating (By personal enjoyment✔️, Not by quality❗):
9.5/10
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This whole album is a true definition of a spring-summer sunny vibe. Almost every track is chill and smooth. Groovy instrumentals and amazing vocals from Buddy are perfect to create a laid-back atmosphere. Replayability is very high since the tracklist is coherent and well-organized. Tracks like Trouble On Central, The Blue, Shine and Find Me 2 are certainly highlights for me personally
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Track ratings (By ... read more
1 | Real Life Shit 4:09 | 88 |
2 | Shameless 4:02 feat. Guapdad 4000 | 91 |
3 | Black 3:52 feat. A$AP Ferg | 87 |
4 | Hey Up There 3:21 feat. Ty Dolla $ign | 89 |
5 | Legend 0:45 | 69 |
6 | Trouble on Central 3:07 | 92 |
7 | The Blue 3:25 feat. Snoop Dogg | 93 |
8 | Speechless 3:18 | 80 |
9 | Young 3:24 | 77 |
10 | Trippin' 3:00 feat. Khalid | 83 |
11 | Find Me 2 3:21 | 90 |
12 | Shine 3:45 | 89 |
#18 | / | DJBooth (Hip Hop / R&B) |
#25 | / | Clash |
/ | Vibe |