Action Bronson - Mr. Wonderful

Action Bronson
Mr. Wonderful
2015

Rap albums are always a conundrum especially when they come from a major label. In a world where mixtapes and EPs reign supreme through the underground putting together a full LP can either fall apart thematically or in the execution. Action Bronson, with Mr. Wonderful, puts together an album that is weird, soulful and more than anything extremely him. He speaks every word in his lyrics clearly as if he has something that you need to hear and need to hear well. There is little use of slant rhymes of accent to make his rhymes work, even though they may sway into interesting and odd territories. Most of the record is over old school, often funky and soulful beat, which is definitely a choice to keep the record clean classic l hip hop. EDM will find no shelter on Mr. Wonderful. It works best on "Baby Blue" which could be just as comfortable as a 60's soul record as it does on Mr. Wonderful. Chance the Rapper puts in an absolute exquisite performance on "Baby Blue" actually upstaging what is a damn good song for Bronson, and he does it in just a few bars.

The record as a whole is one you can sway to, listen to with friends. It comes together as a real concise piece on so many levels and Bronson's apparent honesty just pulls the whole thing together. The one thing that doesn't work for me in the interlude mid way through the record which breaks apart what is otherwise a great flowing album and lets the listener hear an off key song being sung in the streets. We get that Bronson wants to show that he is still a thug, but a thug with soul however this interlude just misses the mark completely and I don't see the need for it. In the end Action Bronson is going hipster Rap better than almost anyone out there and He is able to put all that talent together on this major release. Give it a spin and see what you think.

8.3 out of 10