If The Lost Boy was the new wave rapper's most substantial test of talent and longevity, YBN Cordae passed with flying colours.
Both bold and filled with bravado, yet layered and emotional, YBN Cordae is able to convey his desires, hopes, and fears in an ambitious and well-thought out format.
This isn’t an album for fans of chaotic trap and moshing, but one that is designed as something for you to sit back and vibe to, and understanding this will be key to how much you enjoy the journey.
It's ... a strong collection, and when Cordae strikes a perfect balance of mellow production and lyrical power on standout tracks like "We Gon Make It," it points to even more fully formed work ahead from a strong talent just getting started.
Cordae’s debut album The Lost Boy ... encapsulates everything a Gen Z rapper should be aiming for; young gun energy mixed with traditional skill.
Occasionally corny and self-serious, Cordae's redemption tale shows a promising voice bursting into the mainstream.
Even though Cordae wears some of his contemporary influences on his sleeve, The Lost Boy is a solid and promising debut album.
#10 | / | Uproxx |
#25 | / | Billboard |
#32 | / | The Young Folks |
#40 | / | Complex |
#40 | / | The Independent |
/ | Vibe |