Welcome back to Sound Bite! This week I’ll be covering a new album from Tate McRae, as well as singles from J. Cole, JENNIE and Joey Bada$$. Plus, a huge update on A$AP Rocky to close out this issue. This is one of those weeks where we hunker down and wait for a release that really matters because for now Tate McRae will have to do and that’s not something I’m super pumped about.
If you couldn’t tell by my introduction, “So Close To What” by Tate McRae was not necessarily my album of the year. That said, I didn’t really dislike it either. To me it’s one of those albums that I listened to this week, might hear a single from next week but really don’t think I’ll even remember by the end of the month. It’s fun, it’s new and it’s the same thing I’ve heard before. Hopefully, that makes sense, if not let’s just go to J. Cole.
“cLOUDs” by J. Cole is a phenomenal single that showcases his skills in a very direct and to the point fashion. To me, this song serves pretty much as a life update on J. Cole who has been out of popularity as of late. He talks about aging, wisdom and a lot of very personal ideas on this track and I really enjoyed it. I can easily call it release of the week, and I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.
JENNIE is the next artist I’ll be covering this week and what I’m about to say might shock you. I think this song is ok, if not slightly boring. And yes, Doechii is on this song. And yes, I am a huge Doechii fan. But honestly, I just don’t vibe with this song as much as I do with some of her other works. I think it’s catchy, I think Doechii’s verse is amazing and I really do enjoy listening to it. But at the same time, it just doesn’t feel innovative in the way a lot of her other works do, and I think that is just due to the highly produced nature of the song.
Lastly for music, we have to talk about Joey Bada$$ and his latest release “Pardon Me”. In what seems to be the biggest dogpile I’ve seen. Just about every West Coast rapper is attacking Joey Bada$$ for the shots he took at Kendrick, and the West Coast in general, on his last track “The Rules Back”. Now I’m West Coast all the way, and that applies to music heavily. But from a lyrical and musical perspective, Joey Bada$$ is undeniably dominating his competition. I don’t know why nobody else on the East Coast will back him up, but I honestly don’t think it matters. This single is great, and I hope the back and fourths keep coming.
And to close us off for this issue I’d like to share some thoughts on A$AP Rocky. Just the other day he was officially acquitted in a gun case surrounding another A$AP member. The clips of the reveal went viral, and I have honestly never been so impressed. From The White House to the fashion scene A$AP Rocky can apparently do just about whatever he wants and make it look cool, and that includes beating a murder case. I am excited for his next album, and I hope he actually ends up releasing it soon.
