I’ll start this by saying I’ve had little experience with hip hop; in general, it’s a genre that never really hooked me. This whole album has a smooth, easy vibe; it’s hip hop with some jazzy undertones. It all brings to mind summertime city walks, evening cafes, and nighttime wanderings. There is a cohesiveness to the beats and backing tracks that blend together so well. I have no idea who these artists are, but Pete is packing some serious heat on this one. The music feels masterfully crafted by an expert in the genre. Common, on the other hand, feels a bit hit-and-miss. Many of the lyrics feel corny or by the numbers, but the delivery is superb and almost reverent in a way, like wisdom from a wise uncle—until he starts banging on about being a pussy gladiator or something. Overall, if you like your hip hop to be a bit more “grown man” than the rest, you won’t go wrong here. Pete is definitely carrying this project, though.
8/10
