Following the birth of a son and around the time he released the 2020 full-length Only for Dolphins, Action Bronson began focusing on his health, adopting a better eating regimen as well as taking up boxing and rigorous training. He soon lost over 125 pounds, and wrote a self-improvement book (F*ck It, Ill Start Tomorrow: A True Story) chronicling his journey. Cocodrillo Turbo, his seventh album, is the most motivated the rapper has sounded in years. Apart from the occasional reference to his current figure ("Standing at a weight around 248/Aint none of it bacon"), the record is hardly reflective, however. A wild fantasy world filled with bizarre animal-themed lyrics and the usual edgy braggadocio, the albums production (by beatmakers such as the Alchemist, Griselda associate Daringer, Mono En Stereo, and Bronson himself) piles zoo sounds and trippy echo effects on tracks crafted out of punch-drunk jazz and sideways psychedelia, seemingly shooting for sheer outlandishness above all else. The cartoonish sinister laughter throughout "Tongpo" is a perfect match for Conway the Machines signature giggling ad-libs. Bronson gets overexcited and interrupts Holograms verse during "Estaciones," quickly apologizing and letting his guest start over. He maintains that level of energy on absurd capers like "Subzero," and sounds breathless even on some of the slower, less intense tracks. The way he repeats the line "I need the money on the table by this morning" during "Turkish" is the closest thing to a hook on the entire album, but theres loads of one-liners that are just as memorable. A typically murky Roc Marciano feature kicks off "Zambezi," and the brief, exuberant "Ninety One" precedes "Storm of the Century," an unexpectedly moody finale filled with roaring thunder, bluesy guitar licks, and noirish saxophone by Yung Mehico. ~ Paul Simpson

Rovi