Spaceships on the Blade

A highly productive independent artist who became far more successful after his contract with Warner Bros. ended, Larry June reached the Billboard 200 for the first time with 2021s Orange Print, then charted in the Top 40 a year later with Spaceships on the Blade. The 20-track album features production from the Alchemist (on surreal highlight "Breakfast in Monaco"), Chuck Inglish, Cardo, Jake One, and others, evoking synth-funk and smooth R&B as well as mobb music (a Bay Area precursor to G-funk) and trap. Lead single "Private Valet" backs Junes tales of luxurious spending with lush strings and horns, remaining low-key during the sung chorus. He maintains his cool-headed persona throughout the record, skillfully delivering verses about hustling and dedicating time to romantic relationships. "Another Day, Pt. 2" and the Syd-assisted "For Tonight" channel 80s R&B, while "Brand New Machinery" (featuring DUCKWRTH) leans toward Afrobeats. 2 Chainz and Curren$y are two of the bigger guest stars on the album, respectively appearing on the E-40-esque "Still Boomin" and the slower, hazier "5.0 Chronicles," and Babyface Ray (of Detroits Team Eastside) appears on the records tensest, grittiest song, "Extra of Um." ~ Paul Simpson

連名作品も含めて膨大なリリース量を誇り、そのペースはまったく衰えずファン・ベースを確実に広げているベイエリアの人気ラッパーによる約1年ぶりのソロ名義作はカードーやジェイク・ワン、アルケミストといった馴染みの制作陣が参加し、これまで通りのソウルフルなサウンドと歌心も交えたレイドバック気味のラップを聴かせてくれる。重鎮DJフレッシュとのスペースシップ感のあるベイエリア流儀なファンク・チューン"Don't Check Me"やタイトル通りの夜モードなシドとのコラボ曲"For Tonight"、カレンシーが参加したDJミスター・ロジャースの手によるヒューストン・マナーな"5.0 Chronicles"などなど良曲が揃っており、全20曲と言うヴォリュームながら短いインタールードまで隙のない傑作だ。
bounce (C)Masso 187um