Cheat Codes

Danger Mouse’s really kills it by displaying his production chops on this album . The opener Sometimes sounds so incredibly lush and rich with beautiful instrumentals. Other standout’s from a production standpoint I thought included the title track Cheat Codes, especially the song Because, Aquamarine and Belize.
Black Thought also kills it with his rapping performances on the album. Having never heard a roots album before or any other solo material, I was very happy however with his performances after going in not knowing what to expect, I think he tackles heavy subjects like racism with some really great lines, especially in songs like the opener Sometimes and the title track Cheat codes
The features on this album were really strong too for the most part, it was very cool to hear Doom on an album after his unfortunate passing, Michael Kiwanuka also has a really nice vocal performance on the song Aquamarine. Strangers I think had a really great performance from Run
The Jewels.
I think the tracklist was pretty great and consistent throughout as well. As I have said it starts off great with the amazing opener Sometimes before following that into the really great title track Cheat Codes. The Darkest Part and No Gold teeth come after this and while I like The Darkest Part I think the way Black Thoguht just raps really well over an incredibly simple but effective beat is more enjoyable. Because through to AquaMarine is an amazing three track run and might be my favourite section of the album. identical Deaths is another great performance. I think Strangers is pretty great and brings some good energy to the album, I think the beat makes it feels
More like a Run the Jewels song and therefore feels slightly out of place. Close To Famous I think might be my least favourite on the album, it’s a bit too slight and I don’t think the beat goes anywhere. Saltwater and Violas and Lupitas feels like a great way to close out the album
Overall an incredibly strong album, I think I have some minor gripes with the album, I don’t love the song Close To Famous and sometimes I wish the beats were a bit more varied and had more of a build but still a great album and definitely worth a listen
Fav tracks Sometimes, Cheat Codes, Because, Belize, Aquamarine, Identical Deaths, Violas and Lupitas