Harry
This is a quality opening album by an artist punching far beyond his years. Cordae’s release is filled with tasteful flows, varied sounds and an impressive collection of features. The album acts as a subtle advertisement for Cordae and a platform for him to demonstrate his real talent.
Cordae’s maturity is most powerfully demonstrated in the tone of the project. There is no over-the-top attention-seeking beats or statements. It relies purely on the plethora of influences Cordae draws on and his talent as a rapper. This is immediate straight off the bat, the album containing a number of beautiful outros and skits that filled me with delight and confidence on first listen. ‘We gon make it’ and ‘Broke as fuck’ are two highlights but the centre-piece is without a doubt ‘RNP’. The remarkable chemistry Cordae has with Paak on this track is completely infectious. The second verse where Paak and Cordae go line-for-line in an amazing back and forth is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year. The song feels really crafted by the two artists in an honest way. The success of this feature is not an isolated example on this album, and Cordae does an incredible job to ensure his voice isn’t overpowered whilst next to such massive stars.
However, my confusion about this album is the title. On this album, Cordae is by no means lost. He flourishes and seems exactly where he is supposed to be.
88/100
Zach
Picture this: Zach at home mindlessly scrolling through instagram stories and Anderson Paak’s pops up, announcing a new track.
Imagine my excitement: “OMG NEW PAAK” as I open Spotify immediately, ready to search RNP. How my heart sunk when I realised it was a feature with a rapper I’d never heard of, the awfully named “YBN Cordae”. I’ll play it though, let’s give it/him a chance, I thought. That was the first time I heard the J. Cole produced, absolute banger that was RNP. Wtf who is this guy, I thought. I went back to Instagram to quickly doscover that they performed RNP on Jimmy Fallon. What. A. Performace. The 21 year old Cordae had boundless energy and chemistry with onstage partner Paak, and their trading lines was infectious. At the end, Fallon shouted “The Lost Boy” out Friday. FRIDAY??? I thought. I rushed to Wikipedia, it was true, it just so happened that in 3 days time, YBN Cordae was releasing his debut album. How exciting! Upon further research I heard his single with Chance The Rapper, which was flames. That was me sold, we had to review this album.
I’m pleased to announce that this album fulfilled every expectation I had. My initial indication that this album was sick was the 3rd track, which is a skit. After a trap banger in Have Mercy in Track 2, this skit takes the hook and reimagines it with a full gospel choir, which subsequently transitions into the Colouring Book-esque 4th song, featuring Chance The Rapper. It was at this point I realised that this was a well thought through project, and any contrasting musical style was indicative of versatility rather than confusion.
This album reminds me of all the best parts of Chance the Rapper, J. Cole and Saba. His lyrics that are potent, conscious and honest (not to mention flames – Cordae got BARS) combined with his soulful and musically interesting production, combined with hooks that slap, combined with features that bring something to the album without exception all add up to the collective success of this project.
I really struggle to find a weakness in the album. YBN Cordae is a very exciting prospect, and while he may be a Lost Boy, I’m so excited I Found Him.
Spazzy McGee 