'Culture II' by Migos.
The album 'Culture II', released earlier this year in 2018, was the highly anticipated sequel to the Migos' praised 'Culture' album released one year prior. It stands at a devastating 1 hour and 45 minutes, and I'm going to make an attempt to properly break it all down and share my thoughts on the project.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Culture' which was released in 2017; it was very nocturnal, melodic, catchy, great for party music, and I felt that it was a near-perfect length of just 13 songs. 'Culture II' nearly doubles that, with 24 songs... I recall months ago, waiting until midnight for this album to drop, and when it did, I was overwhelmed by the massive track-list. However I can't criticize a project just for its track-list size, but rather for its content, and unfortunately this album just feels like more quantity over quality... There are many great tracks buried within this record, however there is simply too much fat which should have been cut off. At least half of the songs on the album I found didn't add anything new or worthwhile that many of the other songs didn't already establish. The production overall was clean, solid, and filled with some great instrumentals; but there were many songs of which seemed to be rehashed or so similar that they were hard to differentiate from each-other. So I'll briefly go over each one, and let you know which ones are even worth listening to. (The songs in red are not worth listening to, the songs in blue are)
Higher We Go - Seemingly pointless intro track to the album. It's very forgettable and the chorus is highly repetitive.
Supastars - Enjoyed the production on this track, almost a retro-ish undertone paired with some light piano use and atmospheric effects; it's a listenable track.
Narcos - Took some time for me to like this song. I first disliked it for the hook: "Straight out the jungle!", however it slowly began to grow on me. This track has a fun cuban and Pablo Escobar vibe to it.
BBO (Bad Bitches Only) - Absolutely love the hook on this track. Features 21 Savage who does a great job with the chorus, which is what overall makes the song.
Auto Pilot - The instrumental on this track is its saving-grace.
Walk It Talk It - Very annoying and repetitive hook: "Walk it like I talk it", it's a shame because I was looking forward to the Drake feature on this track, but this song is simply too repetitive and obnoxious imo.
Emoji A Chain - Possibly the worst song on the album. Far too rehashed of a beat, and very boring lyrics. It's the definition of a forgettable track.
CC - The sound on this track had potential, it comes off as techno and ambient, although they simply don't do enough with it. Very underwhelming overall, and Gucci Mane, who I've never really been a fan of, was very boring in this.
Stir Fry - Very fun track, definitely the most radio-friendly and mainstream I would say. Also one of the few songs that I would say the verses are the highlight of the song for me as opposed to the chorus, excellent flows by each of the Migos members on this one.
Too Much Jewelry - This is one of the several tracks in which Takeoff really shines on this album, it's nice to hear more of him out of the trio. His flows are on point, and this song's instrumentals feature some nice background flute and piano melodies. There is also a really cool auto-tuned bridge/breakdown by Quavo on this track.
Gang Gang - The most original and creative song on the album imo. The instrumental on this is unlike any of the other songs, it features some beautiful background singing with the beat, which is overlapped by Takeoff singing rather than really rapping on this track. Definitely one worth listening to, very chill and calming song.
White Sand - Wasn't sure whether to include this on the worth-it list or not. I mean it's certainly listenable, however the feature from Travis Scott, who also handled the hook on the song was the only thing that saved it for me.
Crown The Kings - Had some nice piano throughout the song, but it didn't save the song overall. Had possibly the most underwhelming chorus on any of the songs. Very forgettable.
Flooded - I thought I would enjoy this song because it first felt very minimal and nocturnal, and Offset ends up handling the bulk of this, although it just didn't make much of an impact for me and fell flat.
Beast - Very annoying chorus: "She a little beast". Just an obnoxious track overall.
Open It Up - Had an original sound, very heavy instrumentation, almost as if an orchestra was handling the background. I enjoyed the bank-robbing vibe this track had, as well as it's beat and tone which was almost the equivalent of the climax of a story or Greek tragedy; a more subliminal track than I thought it would be.
MotorSport - I know this was supposed to be a big hit off of the album, mainly due to the appearances of both Nicki Minaj and Cardi B; however I can't stand either of them so I simply can't listen to this track.
Movin' Too Fast - Probably the second most unoriginal song on the record, standing behind 'Emoji A Chain'. Don't waste your time with this one.
Work Hard - Kinda had an obnoxious and arrogant tone overall, also an uninspired and rehashed beat. Yet another unmemorable track.
Notice Me - Had a nice feature from Post Malone, who I enjoy very much, he handles the hook on the song. This song had a nice, subtle and beautiful instrumental, definitely another chill song alongside 'Gang Gang'.
Too Playa - 2 Chainz did a good job with his appearance on this, however the real splendor behind the track lies within its instrumental and sound. The saxophone paired with the beat had me right away.
Made Men - Listen to this song. Best song on the album imo. Absolutely beautiful and luxurious instrumental. Has a sort of Godfather mafia vibe to it; just close your eyes while listening and the sound will take you to an entirely different place.
Top Down On Da NAWF - Extremely boring and uncreative. All I can really say.
Culture National Anthem - Yet another seemingly pointless addition to the album. A supposed outro to the project, but it could've easily put me to sleep, as opposed to ending this with a real banger.
Well there you have it. Overall this album could've been great, but there should've been much more culling of the useless tracks. It just didn't need to be this long. I still recommend listening to the songs I highlighted in blue.
6/10.
The album 'Culture II', released earlier this year in 2018, was the highly anticipated sequel to the Migos' praised 'Culture' album released one year prior. It stands at a devastating 1 hour and 45 minutes, and I'm going to make an attempt to properly break it all down and share my thoughts on the project.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Culture' which was released in 2017; it was very nocturnal, melodic, catchy, great for party music, and I felt that it was a near-perfect length of just 13 songs. 'Culture II' nearly doubles that, with 24 songs... I recall months ago, waiting until midnight for this album to drop, and when it did, I was overwhelmed by the massive track-list. However I can't criticize a project just for its track-list size, but rather for its content, and unfortunately this album just feels like more quantity over quality... There are many great tracks buried within this record, however there is simply too much fat which should have been cut off. At least half of the songs on the album I found didn't add anything new or worthwhile that many of the other songs didn't already establish. The production overall was clean, solid, and filled with some great instrumentals; but there were many songs of which seemed to be rehashed or so similar that they were hard to differentiate from each-other. So I'll briefly go over each one, and let you know which ones are even worth listening to. (The songs in red are not worth listening to, the songs in blue are)
Higher We Go - Seemingly pointless intro track to the album. It's very forgettable and the chorus is highly repetitive.
Supastars - Enjoyed the production on this track, almost a retro-ish undertone paired with some light piano use and atmospheric effects; it's a listenable track.
Narcos - Took some time for me to like this song. I first disliked it for the hook: "Straight out the jungle!", however it slowly began to grow on me. This track has a fun cuban and Pablo Escobar vibe to it.
BBO (Bad Bitches Only) - Absolutely love the hook on this track. Features 21 Savage who does a great job with the chorus, which is what overall makes the song.
Auto Pilot - The instrumental on this track is its saving-grace.
Walk It Talk It - Very annoying and repetitive hook: "Walk it like I talk it", it's a shame because I was looking forward to the Drake feature on this track, but this song is simply too repetitive and obnoxious imo.
Emoji A Chain - Possibly the worst song on the album. Far too rehashed of a beat, and very boring lyrics. It's the definition of a forgettable track.
CC - The sound on this track had potential, it comes off as techno and ambient, although they simply don't do enough with it. Very underwhelming overall, and Gucci Mane, who I've never really been a fan of, was very boring in this.
Stir Fry - Very fun track, definitely the most radio-friendly and mainstream I would say. Also one of the few songs that I would say the verses are the highlight of the song for me as opposed to the chorus, excellent flows by each of the Migos members on this one.
Too Much Jewelry - This is one of the several tracks in which Takeoff really shines on this album, it's nice to hear more of him out of the trio. His flows are on point, and this song's instrumentals feature some nice background flute and piano melodies. There is also a really cool auto-tuned bridge/breakdown by Quavo on this track.
Gang Gang - The most original and creative song on the album imo. The instrumental on this is unlike any of the other songs, it features some beautiful background singing with the beat, which is overlapped by Takeoff singing rather than really rapping on this track. Definitely one worth listening to, very chill and calming song.
White Sand - Wasn't sure whether to include this on the worth-it list or not. I mean it's certainly listenable, however the feature from Travis Scott, who also handled the hook on the song was the only thing that saved it for me.
Crown The Kings - Had some nice piano throughout the song, but it didn't save the song overall. Had possibly the most underwhelming chorus on any of the songs. Very forgettable.
Flooded - I thought I would enjoy this song because it first felt very minimal and nocturnal, and Offset ends up handling the bulk of this, although it just didn't make much of an impact for me and fell flat.
Beast - Very annoying chorus: "She a little beast". Just an obnoxious track overall.
Open It Up - Had an original sound, very heavy instrumentation, almost as if an orchestra was handling the background. I enjoyed the bank-robbing vibe this track had, as well as it's beat and tone which was almost the equivalent of the climax of a story or Greek tragedy; a more subliminal track than I thought it would be.
MotorSport - I know this was supposed to be a big hit off of the album, mainly due to the appearances of both Nicki Minaj and Cardi B; however I can't stand either of them so I simply can't listen to this track.
Movin' Too Fast - Probably the second most unoriginal song on the record, standing behind 'Emoji A Chain'. Don't waste your time with this one.
Work Hard - Kinda had an obnoxious and arrogant tone overall, also an uninspired and rehashed beat. Yet another unmemorable track.
Notice Me - Had a nice feature from Post Malone, who I enjoy very much, he handles the hook on the song. This song had a nice, subtle and beautiful instrumental, definitely another chill song alongside 'Gang Gang'.
Too Playa - 2 Chainz did a good job with his appearance on this, however the real splendor behind the track lies within its instrumental and sound. The saxophone paired with the beat had me right away.
Made Men - Listen to this song. Best song on the album imo. Absolutely beautiful and luxurious instrumental. Has a sort of Godfather mafia vibe to it; just close your eyes while listening and the sound will take you to an entirely different place.
Top Down On Da NAWF - Extremely boring and uncreative. All I can really say.
Culture National Anthem - Yet another seemingly pointless addition to the album. A supposed outro to the project, but it could've easily put me to sleep, as opposed to ending this with a real banger.
Well there you have it. Overall this album could've been great, but there should've been much more culling of the useless tracks. It just didn't need to be this long. I still recommend listening to the songs I highlighted in blue.
6/10.
