Why review this album?
I am an unabashed fan of Kanye West’s music (though not necessarily Kanye West, the person.) However, I was encouraged to review this album by none other than the fabulous Larissa V! Kanye was the first major concert that we attended together, during the infamous ‘Saint Pablo’ tour so I guess it is only fitting that this album is among the first that I review.
Ultralight Beam
The amusing sample of the little child praising Christ that serves as the intro for this track provides some of the context for a constant theme throughout this album: how Kanye balances his Christianity against his hedonistic lifestyle. Regardless, this tune juxtaposes choirs with a truly minimalistic beat in a fascinating way. Also, Chance slays his verse (but everyone knew that already.)
8 out of 10
Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1
Okay, the ‘If Young Metro don’t trust you / I’mma shoot you’ tag always gets me so hyped in this song. Kanye’s lyrics range from repentance to lewd pondering about bleach on his t-shirt on this one. What a fascinating dude. Kid Cudi also provides great backing vocals on this one. Not a long one but definitely a good one.
8 out of 10
Pt. 2
This was the song that put Desiigner on the map when Kanye ‘sampled’ (in reality, extracted in entirety) Desiigner’s verses from ‘Panda’. Since the bulk of the sonic material consists of this ‘cover’ (honestly, not sure what to call this really) it’s hard to grade this song since ‘Panda’ is a banger in its own right. Let’s call it an even 8.
8 out of 10
Famous
Oh the irony of working with both Rihanna and Chris Brown on the same album… This is evidence simultaneously that Kanye is a problematic individual but also has tremendous artistic pull. Anyways, ‘Famous’ is a swagger-filled anthem to Kanye’s success and stature. I also love the interpolation of ‘Bam Bam’ by Sister Nancy to add an up-beat, more optimistic, vibe to the tail end of the song.
9 out of 10
Feedback
The screechy nature of the literal and eponymous feedback that consists of the main melody in this beat initially turned me off but the bass and drums flesh out the rest of the soundstage. I don’t know if they are 808s but I like them. Otherwise, this is a pretty straightforward Kanye jam including the hilarious impersonation of Oprah.
7 out of 10
Low Lights
As a non-Christian, this song is always skipped. Like I get it, religion can be baller but I don’t really get anything from this one. It’s an interlude but a quite literally preachy one.
4 out of 10
Highlights
Not a huge fan of this track either though it obviously as more musical meat-on-the-bone compared to the previous track. This one is a similar juxtaposition of worship concepts and tropes with Kanye beat magic. I also kind of love Kanye’s shout out to Ray-J (the dynamic there will not be detailed on this blog) as ultimate confidence. But otherwise, kind of a weak point on this album.
6 out of 10
Freestyle 4
‘Freestyle 4’ starts out much more visceral than the previous few tracks—I’m really liking this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibe I’m picking up here. Also Desiigner makes this song too. 2 for 2 for him
7 out of 10
I Love Kanye
The famous interlude where everything rhymes with ‘Kanye’ or rather, he ends every line with ‘Kanye’. What a baller.
7 out of 10
Waves
Ugh… I absolutely love everything about this song; the staccato vocal synths, the distorted screeches from the left and right channels, even the evocation of waves and sunshine. EXCEPT CHRIS BROWN. I know, it’s hypocritical for me to separate the artist from the person with Kanye but not with Chris Brown. My two retorts: one, Kanye never beat up anyone, two, Kanye has done inarguably more for music than Chris Brown ever will.
1 out of 10 (9 out of 10 if Chris Brown was removed)
FML
The disjointed and separated delivery of the vocals in the beginning, including the spaces between the muffled synth notes, evokes a sense of fog and confusion which I think perfectly captures the mindset Kanye is trying to get across. How does he do this magic?? Also, The Weeknd provides top notch guest vocals (especially considering his own life story and stage persona).
8 out of 10
Real Friends
I love everything about this beat; from the somber distorted and muffled piano melody to typical reverb laden drums, Kanye created another amazing beat. I feel that while the lyrics are extremely heart-felt and I can draw parallels from his struggles to those of building and developing friendships while growing older, the sentiments grow old themselves over the 4:12 runtime.
8 out of 10
Wolves
This song is absolutely gorgeous from production to emotional value of the lyrics. Obviously this is still extremely somber but there are so many interesting artistic aspects to this song like how the attuned choruses/bridges evoke wolf howls. I love Vic Mensa’s and Sia’s verses on this also. Great track.
9 out of 10
Frank’s Track
I really wish this had made it into ‘Wolves’.
7 out of 10 (standalone value); 9 out of 10 (if part of ‘Wolves’)
Siiiiiiiiilver Surffffeeeeer Intermission
I can barely understand the dialogue on this song except for Kanye saying ‘Silver Surfer / Silver Surfer in the flesh’.
2 out of 10
30 Hours
I had no idea how many details are in the sample that forms the repeated ’30 Hours’ line—I love how Kanye was able to incorporate it into the song and continuously build on it. This song has some ‘Last Call’ vibes where it calls back to Kanye’s earlier days but otherwise, I’m not sure this song brings a ton to the table. Plus, half of this song is just inane adlibs. He literally takes a phone call at the end…
6 out of 10
No More Parties In LA
Best song on this album bar none. Kanye + Kendrick + Madlib = masterpiece. Any other words here take away from this jam; please go listen right now.
10 out of 10
Facts (Charlie Heat Version)
I heard an earlier version of this track when ‘The Life of Pablo’ was in the works and thought it was missing something; Charlie Heat brought it in spades. The trilling hi-hats and the sinister strings/bass work so well with Kanye extolling all of his accomplishments. I also do love the Street Fighter vocal bits.
8 out of 10
Fade
This beat is a love letter to house music especially Chicago house; ‘Mystery of Love’ is so well used here. Honestly, I feel like ‘No More Parties in LA’ exhibits Kanye’s rap chops, whereas ‘Fade’ is him showing off he still can chop samples with the best of them. Lyrically, ‘Fade’ isn’t great but the beat is why you listen.
8 out of 10
Saint Pablo
I feel like this song may have not been on the album when I first heard it… Either way, I really like this one. Such a great way to end the album; a powerful beat provides the perfect background for Kanye’s most introspective and self-conscious lyrics on the album. Don’t get me wrong, he’s definitely a little out of touch but I don’t know, I feel like this one humanizes him a bit.
8 out of 10
Summary
A terrific album that feels almost like a great hits of sorts, capturing different influences and stages of Kanye’s career before this album. You get the old school Kanye in ‘No More Parties in LA’, Yeezus Kanye in ‘Facts (Charlie Heat Version), and even a skit about the different Kanyes. I also appreciate the renewed attention to mastering detail that was a bit missed on ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. This album is great.