A completely unbiased (not really) review of Don't Be Dumb by A$AP ...

1 day ago

A completely unbiased (not really) review of Don't Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky

I waited eight years for this. Was it worth it...? Absolutely. The end product was absolutely worth the eight years. In fact, it feels like I should've waited longer for this, that's how good it is. This is easily in his top three best albums. He explores a lot of genres on here, and he does them so well.

He sticks mostly to rap, but he also delves into metal on "STFU", delves into R&B on "STAY HERE 4 LIFE", delves into jazz on "ROBBERY", and delves into rock on "PUNK ROCKY". And even brings back his old sound on the first half of the song "DON'T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY".

In just fifteen songs (technically seventeen if you include the two bonus tracks), he explores a side of himself we haven't exactly seen. The drastic switch from "STOLE YA FLOW", an aggressive diss track targeted at Drake, to the next song being "STAY HERE 4 LIFE", a smooth sensual R&B and rap fusion track featuring Brent Faiyaz (who I absolutely love by the way). It changes moods constantly, but it's absolutely amazing because of it. Hell, there's entire mood shifts in some of the songs themselves.

My favorite example of this being "AIR FORCE (BLACK DEMARCO)". During the verses, Rocky's rapping over this off-kilter, experimental beat. Then during the chorus everything drops out, everything is much smoother, calmer, and his voice is extremely gentle. It's honestly beautiful, but it doesn't last long. Oddly enough, when the album dropped I thought it was Frank Ocean singing the chorus, but it was actually Rocky doing it. I probably shouldn't get my hopes up for anything Frank Ocean related, that dude is NOT coming back.

Now, time to give my thoughts on each individual song.

DISK 1

1. ORDER OF PROTECTION

It's a great introduction. It sets the mood perfectly for the next song (which is easily one of my favorites). The build up is great as well. Unfortunately this isn't one of my absolute favorites, but it's still a 10/10 (which will apply to everything on this album).

2. HELICOPTER

Damn, this song is so fucking good. I remember when this finally dropped on Apple Music, I just couldn't stop listening to it. So much so that when I was working on something in my class, I just had this song on repeat.
Rocky's rapping is at its peak in years, his energy is through the roof, . The chorus is catchy and absolutely addicting. And that beat... UGHHHH, IT'S SO GOOD. One of the best beats Rocky has hopped on in his entire career.

3. INTERROGATION (SKIT)

Nothing to say here bro. It's just a skit, tf am i supposed to talk bout

4. STOLE YA FLOW

He held nothing back with this song. Definitely one of the more aggressive songs on the album, but considering he's dissing someone he's had beef with for a while, I'd say it's warranted.

Some of these lines are absolutely grueling, especially if you take into consideration just how nice of a dude Rocky is. So hearing him drop shit like this is completely out of the field for him. But either way, fire song.

5. STAY HERE 4 LIFE

A more laid back song compared to everything we've heard so far, and we finally get an interesting genre switch. It's a more R&B adjacent track, and damn I need more stuff like this from Rocky.

Brent Faiyaz is featured on it, and I absolutely love him, he's one of my favorite artists ever. When these two first collabed, I was just thinking "damn, these two needa do this again". And my prayers were answered.

It's the longest album, being almost six minutes. Yet, it doesn't feel like it. Honestly feels like half of that. Also, that beatswitch is nasty, it's so goddamn good.

6. PLAYA

Once again, keeping up with the more R&B adjacent songs, we have this. Not much I want to say other than it's peak. Also the beat is so goddamn good.

7. NO TRESPASSING

Fuck, this song is so good. The beat has a darker undertone to it. It's an interesting contrast from the rest of the album. Not to mention how well he flows on this beat.

I need more songs like this from Rocky, mad underrated.

8. STOP SNITCHING

Once again, we've got Rocky dissing another person. This time around, he's dissing a member of his group (A$AP Mob). Said member being A$AP Relli.
The whole reason for the diss is complicated, and involves a lawsuit Rocky was in not too long ago. However, I don't feel like talking about it. Just look it up.

Also, the darker beat matches Rocky's energy so well.

9. STFU

Rocky's attempt at metal. Somehow... it works? I thought I would've hated it, but nope. It's actually good. Like, really good.

Rap metal has always been a thing, however I always thought Rocky and rap metal would've gone as well as a toaster in a bathtub. But somehow he made it work. This seriously just proves how versatile Rocky is.

10. PUNK ROCKY

Rocky's attempt at a rock song, which went just as well as I thought it would. It gives off the same vibes as his song "Sundress". It carries those same psychedelic elements from that song, just now meshing it with rock.

This song will be perfect for when summer comes around. It's just so bright, and happy feeling.

11. AIR FORCE (BLACK DEMARCO)

This album released only a week ago, and this song has already become one of my most listened to songs of the month. It's truly one of a kind.

As mentioned earlier, during the verses he's rapping over some experimental, off-kilter, hectic, sporadic rage beat. Despite this being one of the most unrappable beats I've ever heard, he somehow did it. Genuinely... what the fuck? How??? How does he keep getting away with this?

Then when the chorus rolls around, said beat drops out. Everything becomes more floaty, atmospheric, and he actually sings. I never took Rocky for a good singer, but... man, he's good at it. Easily the best part of the song.

12. WHISKEY (RELEASE ME)

Absolute cinema. The jazzy intro is absolutely amazing. The feature from Gorillaz is also amazing (speaking of which, I love Gorillaz). The beatswitch is also really good.

Rocky has always been good with beatswitches, this is a good example as to why. Also, Westside Gunn does a few adlibs. So, we're getting closer to a Gunn and Rocky collab. I sound delusional, but lemme dream.

13. ROBBERY

He fully delves into jazz on this one, and it's so good. I see people hating on Doechii's verse on this song, and I don't understand why. She matches the energy of this song so well. Her seductive tone and flow works well with the jazzy beat.

I swear, people are just trying to find any excuse to hate on her after she dropped a very specific song. We don't talk about that though.

14. DON'T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY

Holy shit, that first half is heavenly. It sounds like something that would be on "LIVE.LOVE.A$AP" (ignore the link, i can't get rid of that). His softer rapping style works on this song.