Though its still a picture of pristine commercial trap-pop, the shadow of grief hangs over the entirety of rap star Quavos second studio album, Rocket Power. Its his first full-length effort since the November 2022 death of his nephew and fellow Migos member Takeoff, and while the beats are huge and the songs are full of energetic hooks and smooth, snaking flows, a sense of loss and mourning touches all of it. Takeoff himself is featured on "Patty Cake" and the bouncy "Back Where It Begins," and Quavo pays lyrical tribute to his fallen friend and partner on almost every song. The somber tone that carries Rocket Power is heavy, and makes even big moments like the funky, Future-featuring "Turn Yo Clic Up" feel a little bit darker and less ready to party than the usual Migos fare. There are sidebars into the melodic and yearning with the R&B-inflected, Young Thug-assisted "Focused," and closing track "Greatness" solders a trap rhythm to a rootsy reggae loop as Quavo remembers beautiful moments with Takeoff, looking forward and trying to find the answers as life continues without his beloved nephew. Its a hopeful end to an album torn between the pain of loss and the celebration of the times they shared. ~ TiVo Staff

Rovi