The Night Shift

Rapper Larry June and producer Cardo both have a smooth, laid-back style reminiscent of 90s G-funk, so it seems only natural that theyve been steady collaborators for years. After June made his commercial breakthrough with two Top 40-charting albums, 2022s Spaceships on the Blade and the 2023 Alchemist collaboration The Great Escape, the enterprising rhymer teamed up with Cardo for their fifth joint release, The Night Shift. Throughout the album, the two generally stick to making music perfect for top-down cruising, with gently popping drum machines and breezy guitar licks backing calmly poised motivational lyrics, often accompanied by Junes signature "good job" and "keep going" ad-libs. Much of it sounds cut from the same comfortable fabric, with several guest appearances providing welcome variations. DeJ Loaf, Blxst, and Jordan Ward all contribute R&B hooks, 2 Chainz sails on a luxury cruise, and Too $hort gets as freaky as ever. Final song "The Good Kind" sums the album up with a cheery siren-synth melody and easygoing lyrics about stacking dollars. ~ Paul Simpson

まさかの来日も実現したサンフランシスコの人気ラッパー、ラリー・ジューンがアルケミストとの共作に続いて放った2023年の2枚目は、抜群の相性でいくつもの共作を発表してきたヒットメイカーとの新たなコラボ・アルバム。前コラボ作『Into The Late Night』(2021年)と同路線の夜をイメージさせるメロウなムードを全体に漂わせ、レイドバックしたラップにフィットしたスムースなトラックはどれもこれも絶品。トゥー・ショートや2チェインズ、スクールボーイQといった大物ゲストが並ぶなか、独特な歌声と節回しで個性の際立ったデージ・ローフ参加の"Sweet Lady"が秀逸だ。
bounce (C)Masso 187um