It was worth the wait, wasnt it?
Kanye Wests latest album is finally here, and right on time, too. Following an onslaught of negative press in recent months (caused primarily by his own words and actions, it should be noted), Kanye has *thankfully* delivered his latest big statement in the form of his eighth studio album, Ye.
While he may have lost the admiration of a sizable section of his fanbase after his recent shake-my-head comments about Trump endorsements, slavery and dragon energy (were still trying to figure that one out), Kanye is still very much in command of the attention of many music fans who are keen to hear what ideas, sounds and bars he has to offer with each new release.
The sense of anticipation surrounding Ye has been huge, but that hasnt totally derailed his creative focus – although thats probably been aided by his decision to hole up in rural Wyoming (where hes also been working on new music by the likes of Pusha-T, Nas and Kid Cudi) to write and record the album.
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Ye finally dropped today (1 June) following a listening party in Jackson Hole last night (31 May), and youll no doubt be glad to hear that its a stirring, emotional and ultimately captivating listen – its a Kanye West album, how could it not be?
Despite only being seven tracks long, Ye is still a hefty work thatll take some time to fully digest – but heres a quick look at what Kanye has offered to us with album number eight.
1. I Thought About Killing You
The dark title certainly gives an early indication of the lyrical tone of Yes opening track, which finds Kanye wrestling with his own dark thoughts. Today I seriously thought about killing you / I contemplated, premeditated murder, he raps above serene synths. And I think about killing myself, and I love myself way more than I love you, so…
Following that troubling opening monologue, the bass and beats gradually come into play as Kanye references his recent money troubles, his frosty relationship with Jay-Z and solidifying his legacy: Ima make my name last, put that on my last name / Its a different type of rules that we obey.
2. Yikes
The most energetic track on the album, Yikes starts off with Kanye adopting the same sort of jagged flow we heard on Wolves, which featured on 2016s The Life of Pablo.
The song itself sees the rapper discuss drugs and addiction – a pertinent topic after his recent confession that hed been addicted to opioids – while theres also lyrical nods to North Korea, his 2016 feud with Wiz Khalifa and the #MeToo movement (Russell Simmons wanna pray for me too / Ima pray for him cause he got #MeTood / Thinking what if that happened to me too / Then Im on E! News).
3. All Mine
The first track on Ye to feature prominent guest vocals, All Mine begins with a falsetto from rising Chicago rapper Valee before hes later joined by regular Kanye contributor Ty Dolla $ign.
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Kanye also indulges here in one of his favourite pastimes: name-checking celebrities. From his in-law Tristan Thompson (all these thots on [dating site] Christian Mingle / almost what got Tristan single) to porn star Stormy Daniels, theres also shout-outs on the track for Kobe Bryant and Naomi Campbell – wonder if any of them will respond?
4. Wouldnt Leave
Kim Kardashians reaction to Kanyes controversial slavery comments is a major talking point here, with the rapper revealing on Wouldnt Leave that Kim feared the power couple would lose it all after his TMZ outburst.
My wife calling, screaming, say, “We about to lose it all!” / Had to calm her down cause she couldnt breathe / Told her she could leave me now, but she wouldnt leave, he says – although he also thinks he could have gone much further had TMZ caught him on a wild day.
Elsewhere, the gentle instrumental permits Kanye to get candid (You know Im sensitive, I got a gentle mental) before he then ends the track by dedicating it to all the women who stuck with their dude, through the best times [and] the worst times.
5. No Mistakes
Remember Bound 2? No Mistakes is aiming to be Bound 3 – and thats not just because Charlie Wilson is back on guest vocals.
The song is a refreshing blast of optimism from the mastermind behind Ye – and we even see a glimpse of a confident Kanye here, as he declares at one point: Let me make this clear, so all yall see / I dont take advice from people less successful than me.
6. Ghost Town
Vying for the position as Yes stand-out track, Ghost Town harks back to classic Kanye: the chopped-up and soulful beats, the emergence of a new Kanye-approved artist (this time in 070 Shake) and even the majestic sound of Kanye singing.
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It makes for a simply wonderful concoction, and feels like Kanye back at his best.
7. Violent Crimes
The good vibes continue on Yes closing track, which is Kanyes ode to his daughters North and Chicago – revealing that the birth of his two children helped him change his perspective on women for the better (slow clap, Kanye).
Now I see women as something to nurture / Not something to conquer, he admits over the closing ballad, before then referencing Nicki Minajs still-sensational verse on his 2010 track Monster – Nicki even phones in to the studio at the end of the track to give her own spin on the line I want a daughter like Nicki.
Violent Crimes provides a blissful climax to a brave and compelling album thats full of pleasant surprises – but did we ever expect anything else from Kanye West?
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