Young Thug - Jeffery

Young Thug
Jeffery
2016
Spotify

It is pretty easy to say that this is Young Thug's best album since Barter 6, but that time in between those records were filled with mixtape after mixtape. There were four records that came out during the time between Barter 6 and Jeffery each of which was interesting but no where near the bar Young Thug has set for himself. Young Thug seems to know that being of the moment is one of the most important things in rap. If you fall behind it is almost impossible to regain that ground so His releases come almost as a stream on consciousness rather than crafted records. That vibe is somewhat diminished on Jeffery though, this record feels very intentional and like a great deal more thought went into it's production than the previous four releases. It is amazing how prolific Thug is, by the time you blink your eyes He's put out 4 mixtapes and two albums and it's only been 16 months. When you approach this record your sensors are up because in all honesty, how in the hell could it be good? The answer, it really is. Thug loses none of his edge, none of his swagger and delivers is just as cutting as it is smooth. The first track "Wyclef Jean" lets us in to where Young Thug is in his life, debating whether or not Thug is a name He wants to be associated with. That becomes the central theme of the record, Names, mostly what do they mean and what do they represent.

This takes form in every song being named for one person (and one Gorilla) or another. The subject matter doesn't really tie in with the titles track to track, but it serves as the point where Thug can start to explore his own identity. There even seems to be a less "turnt up" vibe for most of the record letting thug explore more beats and styles other than straight up trap. The best beat on the record comes from "RiRi"produced by the Billboard Hitmakers, and Thug dances with his lyrics all over the track. It's fun yet has a distinctly poignant bend that elevates it from being just another track. The use of synths throughout the album on beats is also an interesting choice that really pays off. The one thing you notice on each one of these tracks however is that Young Thug does not know how to end a song. You will get these epic raps, great beats and then a track will just end on a breath, or mid beat leaving you hanging there wondering what in the hell just happened. If ti was just one track that would be one thing, but it is almost every track. However, in the end here we are again with another stellar Young Thug record, that is ahead and of it's time all at once. The other records are great, but Jeffery is one you simply cannot miss.

8.5 out of 10