Danny Brown - Quaranta

I urgently need to know how many times bro’s pen spontaneously combusted or burst into flames because of how fucking good the songwriting is on this record. Like jokes aside, I think this is better than Scaring The Hoes. It's by far the deepest and most emotionally effective rap project I've heard this year and will likely be my rap AOTY for 2023. Fucking fantastic listening experience.

Despite the intense and clusterfuck tracks (saying this as a good thing) like the two singles released for the album, “Quaranta” is pretty low-key and super vibey, and hence it’s pretty easy to understand lyrically and thematically. Exploring the darker and more introspective aspect of the songwriting of his experiences, Danny doesn’t shy away from diving into topics such as mental health and issues with addiction and this thematic weight is reflected through the heaviness and ‘low-keyness’ of the tracks.

Production-wise it’s awesome. It’s a super diverse sounding record with clever sampling, fantastic instrumental elements, heavy layering, and of course better mixing than “Scaring The Hoes”. Everything sounds clean as fuck too. Drums are crisp and never jarring, the sound of the guitars ranges from rough to smooth depending on the track, and yes Danny’s performance is amazing on this record. His flow and delivery of his lines hit the mark so effectively, and the diversity of this aspect shows that he really knows how to get into audiences' emotional spots whenever it need be.

I didn’t think of this too much on my first listen, but it was around the fourth or fifth listen that it really struck me. It’s just so effective and I find it rare to have this much emotional and introspective weight onto a rap project, let alone after he delivered a great one earlier in the year with “STH”. “Quaranta” is absolutely brilliant, and a must-hear album.

(I may expand this review in the coming days)

Highest rated: Tantor, Dark Sword Angel, Y.B.P., Jenn’s Terrific Vacation, Down Wit It, Hanami
Lowest rated: Celibate, Shakedown