Face＜Colored Vinyl＞

Having broken through to mainstream audiences with 2021 EP Unfuckwitable -- and its 14-track, deluxe version -- Detroits own Babyface Ray looks to make his statement piece with FACE, his latest full-length LP. Though theres plenty of space for local talents like 42 Dugg and Icewear Vezzo, FACE notably contains Rays most varied set of collaborators to date: cloud rap pioneer Yung Lean croons through "Overtime," Pusha T and Landstrip Chip make for an unlikely combo on "Dancing with the Devil," and Wiz Khalifa offers a homage to his classic mixtapes with "Kush & Codeine." This openness to new ideas manifests equally in FACEs solo tracks: though the rapper dedicates a few cuts to the frosted-over lane he has spent the last decade carving out, many of the tracks here add a more melodic angle to the MCs typically neutral sound. Some, like the groove-led "Idols," are entirely new concepts -- and thoroughly brilliant. Yet at the top of the pile is the grandiose, OneRepublic-sampling "My Thoughts 3/Pops Prayer," where the rapper adds a pain-tinged reflection of his typically distant persona, "I come asking your choice blessings on my baby boy Ray," reads the rappers father in prayer, "that you might wrap him up with your love, your grace, and your mercy." Its a compelling plea, an afternote that casts Rays insular raps in a spectral, emotive light. ~ David Crone

数々の客演で注目を集めているデトロイトのラッパーによる新作。ティンバランド×ワンリパブリックの大ヒット曲"Apologize"を引用した冒頭曲から中毒性あるメロディアスなフロウを聴かせ、DJエスコー作の"Tunnel Vision"やレイドバックした"Mob"などラップを活かすようなキャッチーなトラックが揃う。その注目度の高さを裏付けるようにプッシャ・T やウィズ・カリファ、G・ハーボといった著名アクトも参加。
bounce (C)Masso 187um