I think this is rap. I mean, yeah, it’s rap. But it’s also a smooth blend of soul and rock. It’s kind of like a 2021 version of Tribe Called Quest, which merged rap, improv, soul and jazz.
It’s terrific overall. And specifically, there are few songs here that trancend and should be megahits. Like “It’s Not My Choice.” “Patriarchy Ain’t the End of Me” is quietly angry, and stayed with me for a while after I heard it. It’s a subtle protest–full of rage, but sung smooth so as not to provoke. It’s brilliant.
And there are a few missteps. “Fuck Your Choices” really doesn’t fit here. It’s not a bad song, it just breaks the cohesion. And that may have been a conscious decision by Blanco, making it less of a misstep and more of an artistic choice that just didn’t work for me.
Lots of guests show up to add hooks, and they’re all great. Every song on here is worth hearing at least once, and there are several that I’m pretty sure I’ll be returning to again and again.
