Bas - Too High To Riot

Bas
Too High To Riot
2016
Spotify

Probably one of the biggest casualties from Kendrick Lamar's surprise album release was Bas and his sophomore record Too High To Riot. From the title you may think that the Queens rapper is trying to sit out the social issues but you would be wrong. Instead Bas uses drugs as a vehicle to describe his situation and project what is happening in his world. While being "high" means that he can sit by and watch the world go by rather than being an active participant in it. The album has a really interesting flow starting from a hazy drug fueled view of the world eventually moving into a more nuanced and sober view of the world. It is no coincidence that Bas is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville record label. His sound, style and aesthetic are eerily similar to Cole. Forest Hills Drive Too High To Riot is not but it does have a style that is quite close. The music is laid back never getting to aggressive and is more focused on the lyrics being spoken than it is on the bass banging in the background. This album is about what Bas has to say not making you dance. It is a change of pace from what is the norm in hip hop these days and a welcome break.

However that same energy that feels great to lean in to occasionally just becomes to lethargic, to slow to remain with for a whole album. When J. Cole comes in as a feature on "Night Job" his power and in your face style of rapping is such a welcome moment and it makes for what is perhaps the best song on the album. This is not to say that Too High To Riot is to long. Clocking in at just over 36 minutes for a hip hop album this is just about as tight as it can get. But it is the vibe that drags you down, slowly crawling along rather than really punching a point home. Bas' skill is evident especially on tracks like "Penthouse" but by the two minute mark you are ready to move on. This album suffers from it's own indie-ness. It seems to niche and lacking strong connected depth to really be a mainstream hit. Too High To Riot is an interesting outing from Bas, but there are issues on the record that keep it from being noe of the all time greats. This record is worth a listen but you likely won't find yourself going back to often.

6.7  out of 10