Jonathan Heinbaugh, Photography Manager

     “Teach me empathy” is the message Texas rapper, producer and singer Kevin Abstract wants to bring to the table on his newest album.

    When taking a look at his new LP, now titled “ARIZONA Baby,” context is incredibly important. Since Abstract’s last solo album, his life has completely flipped. After creating his last record “American Boyfriend,” Abstract’s boy band of which he fronts–“BROCKHAMPTON”– exploded onto the scene, releasing four critically acclaimed albums in the span of a year and a half.

    Having to embrace and fight growing fame, the group lost one of its key members, Ameer Van, right after signing to RCA records. This was due to an ensemble of assault and misconduct accusations.

    With all this in mind, fans were clamoring to hear what Abstract had to say on his new solo album. But did it live up to the hype?

    In my opinion, the answer is: yes, absolutely. Abstract has done it again this time proving that he does not have to stay in the “BROCKHAMPTON” vein to blow up. Abstract, with his recent rise stardom, was able to acquire Jack Antonoff–the lead singer, writer and producer of the band “Bleachers”–to co-produce his album. Along with his own albums, Antonoff has produced records for people such as pop icon Lorde on her platinum selling record “Melodrama.”

    To kick off the album, listeners get “Big Wheels,” which elaborates on Abstract’s homsexuality in the lime light.

    “They think I’m just ‘queer baiting,’” Abstract states, saying that people think he is using sexuality to sell records. It is a clear stand-out track as Abstract’s rapping is at its best. His flow is quick and to the point, and the beat while simple is very effective. There is a sweet horn section at the tail that leads into the triumphant “Joy Ride.” This track is another section of Kevin’s best rapping and while I do not care for the chorus subject matter much less understand it, I can appreciate a lot about this song.

     After these two tracks comes the golden stage of this album. “Georgia”, “Corpus Christi”, “Baby Boy” and “Mississippi” are all game-changing tracks on this LP.

    “Georgia” features the best chorus on the album where Kevin’s spits, “I got Georgia on my mind, ain’t nobody left behind, it’s just me, my team, my weed, my babies, Audi parked outside. Call my momma let her know that everything is alright.” The verses ring a punch and drive home an exceptional song.

    We then get the dark and personal “Corpus Christi.” This track reads almost more like a diary input than a rap song. Midway through the track, Abstract does what fans were wanting him to do: talk about Ameer.

    He sings,“I wonder if Ameer thinks about or what he thinks about me.” The song is my third favorite on the album.

    “Baby Boy” is more like “Let’s get married” part 2. Loyal Brockhampton fans will remember the small teaser they released for this song when they signed with RCA and it was an instant favorite. However, after the Ameer drama they were said to have scrapped the track forever. Luckily, that is not the case as the chorus is the classic “Let’s get married” fans know and love. The track is simply fantastic, conveying Abstract’s feelings that  “God left [him] alone” when he still had his boyfriend. It is a 10/10 track and needs to be listen to.

    Finishing off the golden section is “Mississippi” featuring a sticky and very modern trap-influenced chorus. It is about as solid as a track can get, slow burning verses and a classic Abstract chorus.

    With all of these great tracks there are some forgettable ones. While not bad, they simply just fall through the cracks when talking about this album. Tracks like “Use Me” and “American Problem” feature concepts that are just not as energized, and while “American Problem” has a great ending verse it is something we have heard out of Abstract a lot already.

     What really pushes this album from good to great is the track “Peach.” This track features Dominic Fike, creating for the best chorus of 2019. Abstract also brings in some fellow BROCKHAMPTON members, Joba and Bearface, to give ending bridges to an already fantastic chorus. To say this song is amazing would almost feel like a disservice to the art it is. It is the best song to be released in 2019.

    Overall, Abstract showed why he is blowing up. He is bringing new subjects to the table, fresh features and incredible instrumentation to a genre that was starting to get stale. His outlook on style and having theme have pushed this project so above the rest. The Warrior gives this album a 9/10.