Common - Nobody's Smiling

Common
Nobody's Smiling
2014

Common has never had any trouble telling you exactly what is on his mind. If He sees a problem, he is going to bring it up, break it down and put it to music a talent he has had throughout his career. Nobody's Smiling is no different; Common explores darker themes in this record heralding the issues that face his home city of Chicago, the pain of losing a friend and as always the corruption of our materialistic culture. This album though unlike many of his others is lacking when it comes to levity, Common has taken the opportunity with this record to get out some darkness that he sees all around him.  "The Neighborhood", "Speak My Piece" and "Nobody's Smiling" are all quite dark and really move Common away from songs like "The Light" (which he actually references in a track).

What is great about the album is Common himself; He is putting on an absolute clinic on how to rap. He matches his style perfectly with each beat, he speeds up his rhymes slows them down seamlessly. He has a track with Big Sean and absolutely demolishes him, rappers from today could take a page out of his book on how this thing is done. I highly reccomend giving this album a shot, but don't expect to come out on the other side feeling very happy.

8 out of 10