Blockhead's production is very clean, and it's improved since their first collaboration. but similarly to Dour Candy, I don't think that Blockhead's production is nearly as engaging as I was hoping it for it to be. when a song is really great, I never really find it to be because of the production. there are exceptions, Bush League for example. but it's usually because of the rapping and flows. woods' rapping on here is seriously focused and slick.

80/100

not his best, but this album is really consistently great. the tracks are much simpler, but it's still very hard. the execution of a large majority of these tracks are great with awesome hooks, slick production, and of course, amazing pen game. it's awesome how throughout 24 tracks, nearly every track, (which excludes interludes and maybe certain songs,) it remains very fresh and enjoyable. some tracks are simply very hard-hitting, and this includes U-Boats, Poor Company, and ... read more

a project that displays just as much hunger as History Will Absolve Me, but with much less grandeur. this is mostly in the production. though it's great, the extravagance in some of woods' work doesn't really compare to what's on here. the lyricism also doesn't get as far, but the concept is there. I know I keep making comparisons to HWAM but this collection of tracks is really good too- Fool's Gold and Tumbleweed specifically.

80/100

it's about time I got into billy woods

this is right up my alley...

History Will Absolve Me is absolutely masterful. the mainly-electronic production is energetic and hard. even more importantly, billy woods is an amazing lyricist and imaginist, and at the same time, he's hungry with his raps.

some of these songs are genuinely insane. Crocodile Tears has crazy good production and vicious raps. you could honestly say that about any other song, but it's especially good on here. ... read more

this project's very well-rounded- and to be honest, too well-rounded. no misses or anything, but there wasn't much that caught my ear. this could've been more for a collaboration between Earl and Alc. Vin Skully and Geb were the best tracks, and Mancala even though it's not in this release.

75/100

Feet of Clay is odd, grim, and just interesting. truthfully, there are various shortcomings on this project, but I still enjoyed this a decent amount. this has some of the weirdest production that Earl has ever done, with songs like the infamous EAST and TISK TISK / COOKIES. although this is a good thing to me, I can see why it's become so divisive to fans. still, I think that the only significant takeaway from this project is that dope ass MAVI feature. perhaps you could add TISK TISK and ... read more

Earl does what he does well: visionary production with wonderful, laid-back raps, really no complaints but not a lot of material that is necessarily superb. 2010 and Tabula Rasa are really great tracks.

80/100

with LLL, Earl is proving his longevity, although it's not the most impactful listen. this project consists of generally great songs with some captivating abstract beats with some really good Earl performances. so regardless of this not being another abstract masterclass or anything, this should certainly leave us all fed. FORGE, Gamma, and exhaust are really great tracks.

80/100

I found this to be a bit overhated. it is coworker music, but it's good coworker music, because personally I couldn't find much issues. I enjoyed the production, vocals, instrumentation, lyricism, mixing... pretty much everything I can think of. this project certainly has its weak and/or unfulfilling moments, or even just meh songs, I will say that- but it's usually not outright bad. an example I can use of this is the track Past Self. the production and lyrics are a little ... read more

Damnnn.

what a stellar album. the vocals are straight up ethereal, and the intimacy and vibes are off the charts. Silk Lingerie is a phenomenal track. I love how psychedelic and echoey it is. Heaven is a Home..., Angels All Around Me..., and Territorial are a few of my other favorite tracks. my only complaint is that it can be a little repetitive with the similar sounding vocals and beats across tracks. besides that, this is a great introduction to how good Kali's projects can be.

85/100

the second installment of the trap-centered Pinball is nothing too special, with MIKE's classic chill deliver on top of slick track beats. Money & Power to Sucka-Free run was really good. a good amount of this just felt pretty underwhelming, especially because of the standards set by the first and by MIKE's music in general, but I still really enjoyed this.

edit: should also add. man cannot miss

75/100

I usually don't like trap beats, but MIKE raps really well on them. the features are really nice as well. On God and Reminiscing are easily standout tracks, and pretty much every other track is great. and although I don't like trap beats that much, Tony Seltzer's production is really nice by itself.

80/100

plainly put, Burning Desire is an outstanding showcase of skill by MIKE. it's crazy that throughout the entire 24 tracks, I was almost never bored; though it was probably the fact that every single song is super fresh and two minutes. his rapping is very focused yet laid-back, the soulful beat selections are amazing, and the features are great. even though I knew that this mf was great at production, the production on here is still mind-blowing.

ASFF was my favorite track, I just loved ... read more

this album could've been much more. I personally really like Wiki and his wacky voice, plus MIKE does what he does. though Al's beats are very ordinary for his standards, they're still solid. I also don't think the two fit on Alchemist production, and I'm not sure why. it might be because I'm hearing at least MIKE on unconventional production. though the end product is good, I was hoping this would've been more flamboyant or distinguishing.

75/100

Beware of the Peak...

I can't say that it's anything new, it IS exactly what you'd expect from a project from him. but every song is so clean and so repeatable, and the project's simply heat for 30 minutes straight. in my opinion, this is ultimately one of MIKE's most well-rounded projects. my favorite track is LIGHT because the samples and beats are so beautiful, plus MIKE's and Jadasea's performances were great. another few notable tracks are What Do I Do?, ... read more

MIKE's projects is honestly the pinnacle of modern abstract hip-hop. his crispy laid-back flows on top of his own impeccable jazzy production and samples- can't ask for much more than that. though the second half doesn't quite compare to the first. Alarmed! has one of my favorite MIKE beats and was easily my favorite, but there's definitely a couple of other notable tracks.

85/100

although not as off-the-wall or ballistic as how I like, this tape is pretty chill and rather emotional, touching on topics like family and mental health. what's great about this project is that he really encapsulates the vibe and emotions depicted in the lyrics in his production. speaking of, MIKE's production capabilities are just as good as his rapping. this is just a really well-rounded album. scarred lungs and true blood are my favorite tracks

85/100

it's hard for me to describe how I feel listening to this. I just feel different.

now I usually give albums a track rating average similar to this a score of 85, but I think it's deserving of this score. MIKE's MGBYH is incredibly immersive, and quite special. MIKE is a fantastic lyricist, and this album is just so entrancing and skillful. the production and the beat selections are so awe-inspiring. the bars and the rap performances are so captivating. I was straight up ... read more

the sequel that surpasses Equus Asinus. this project has a ton of vibes and is very smooth. it really does hit the right spots, and the quality is a bit higher in terms of the consistency and engagement. her vocals are beautiful and the instrumentation is sweet. it'd be nice for a change though. a lot of their music floats around the same exact genre and sound. my favorites were Ring Of Past and the Billie Toppy-Worn Down run.

80/100

can't say J-Pop is my thing but it's a fun and consistent record and it's great for what it is. I appreciate that this isn't some average, generic record with the most predictable crap. the production and vocals feel quite fresh. but it peaks towards the middle of the project, and the last few tracks fall a bit short. also maybe my ears are too trained, but Firetruck is actually fire.

80/100