Kanye West - Yeezus Album Review
'On Sight' Sets the entire tone of the album abrasive sythns, angry lyrics and jarring electronic production. Kanye inserts a typical yet surprising breakdown that sounds like a gospel choir has been thrown right in the middle of an industrial nightclub. "I need you right now" recalls Graduation's Stronger, with post-modern twist. 'Black Skinhead' This Daft Punk produced masterpiece sounds like the bravest first single put forward by any mainstream rapper in history. When Kanye makes a statement who fully makes. 'I Am A God' Kanye straddles the line of being a God and a religious man in this dark and malevolent sounding song. It puts me in memory of Clint Mansell's score for Darren Aronofsky's film Requiem for a Dream. 'New Slaves' A sonically brave yet minimal song West's powerful is supported by singular electronic beats followed by grand strings that recalls the brilliance of Power. Here is where West makes his most successful statement lyrically: 'My momma was raised in an era when/ Clean water was only served to the fairer skin/ Doing clothes you would have thought I had help/ But they wasn't satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself. You see it's broke nigga racism/ That's that "Don't touch anything in the store"/ And there's rich nigga racism/ That's that "Come here, please buy more"' 'Hold My Liquor' A definite highlight on the album, aided with collaborators Chief Keef and Justin Vernon (from Bon Ivor.) This song marries a creeping synth guitar with punches of electronica to create a truly unique sound; the poignant and sorrowful lyrics give Yeezus a deeper feel, and introduce the demons Kanye mentions later on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuhl6Ji5zHM&list=UUhpJbg7zMbi5jx9Gdjaxa9g 'I'm In It' My favourite on the album. This song is so ridiculous it must be deemed a masterpiece. Sonically, this song has every sound effect imaginable from sirens to dogs barking it sounds like a collaboration between Kanye and Ross Gellar. The contrast of the dirty and bombastic verses, to the dymaic bridge featuring Assassin, and then the sublimely haunting chorus (again featuring Justin Vernon.) This is unlike anything you have ever heard before. 'Blood On The Leaves' Who would have thought Hudson Mohawke and Nina Simone would ever be on the same song? West brings together samples in such a genius way to create this evocative ode to loss and regret. 'Guilt Trip' My least favourite on the album this song sounds like it should be on 808s and Heartbreak. The song itself works, and provides interesting Star Wars references and a breakdown that puts strings and sythns together, but it still sounds like a copy of Robocop. 'Send It Up' Another strong track featuring King L the highlight is the fragmented jarring of the sythns after Kanye's verse. Again, the song is made unique with a sample of a Beenie Man song at the end. 'Bound 2' West closes the album on a high with this beautiful and melancholic love song featuring Charlie Wilson West proclaims 'one good girl is worth a thousand bitches.' There is no industrial electronica here this is the soul of Yeezus. Kanye - his "god-complex" may not be such a bad thing afterall...