Album Review: Yeezus by Kanye West

It is Yeezy Day! Finally the highly hyped and highly anticipated album, Yeezus has come out. Mr. West shows a very different side to him in this very dark LP. Grimy samples and a heavy electronic influence with snippets of old school Kanye is what encompasses this album. For hardcore Yeezy fans, like myself, this may come off as odd, but it grows on you. Starting off with “On Site”, Yeezus himself proclaims that “Yeezy season approaching”. A heavily synth driven song, which is produced by Skrillex, Kanye, and Daft Punk, fits Mr. West’s braggadocios lyrics. “Black Skinhead” shows Ye getting his “scream on” as well as talking about consumerism in our society. This song has political undertone, because Kanye talks about the never ending violence in Chiraq as well as black stereotypes over another Daft Punk produced instrumental. This political undertone could be because of Lupe Fiasco who is credited for contributing to this track. The next song “I Am A God”, which is causing a lot a controversy, has a very biblical tone. He calls himself “A God”, not the God. This song also shows Kanye getting his reggae samples going, which we see a lot of in this album. Over another synth driven, bass thumping beat, which is produced by a slew of producers all the way from Rick Rubin to Travis $cott, this song represents the thesis of this album. Moving on to “New Slaves”, which is technically first “single” on Yeezus, Ye delves into how we are the “new slaves”, including himself. He talks about how consumerism has controlled our society, and how racism comes with it. He shows the full spectrum of racism by saying, “You see it's broke nigga racism That's that ‘Don't touch anything in the store’ And this rich nigga racism that’s that ‘Come in, please buy more’”. Over a very minimalistic instrumental, but still has very cinematic feel to it, he shows how ignorance is bliss, but is also hurtful to the general society. Kanye caps the song off with another odd sample from a band called Omega, who is a band from Hungary. Frank Ocean also provides vocals to the dramatic outro. “Hold My Liquor” shows Kanye going through a hangover, but the song also has another connotation which is to not let Kanye get anymore liquor- just “hold it”. Chief Keef provides a very drawn out hook over Kanye’s electronic instrumental with Justin Vernon(of Bon Iver) crooning over the dark song. Kanye talks about his drunken one night stands and how meaningless they are. The next song “I’m In It” is all about hislove of his life, Kim Kardashian. Kanye returns to the reggae feel with the Agent Sasco verse and bridge, which is honestly ridiculously dope. Justin Vernon, who is everywhere on this album, provides more vocals on this banger. “Blood On The Leaves” is next, which is probably my favorite song on the album. That TNGHT production is so dope! Kanye sings and raps about his heartbreak over a certain woman over a Nina Simone sample. “Guilt Trip” is another heartbreak song, which features a sample from Pusha’s “Blocka”. This song has Kid Cudi singing on the outro saying “why did you have to let me go?” The song “Send It Up” features another Chitown native, King Louie. Both rappers talk about how “this is the greatest shit in the club”. Kanye flips another reggae sample, this time from Beenie Man. For all the people who hated the heavy electronic influence of this album, ya’ll were rewarded with “Bound 2”. Over a classic No I.D. production, Kanye claims that him and Kim were “bound to fall in love”. Charlie Wilson provides an extremely soulful bridge. Overall this album shows Kanye, not only evolving in how his album sounds, but in his actual life. (5 out of 5 stars)