Action Bronson - Blue Chips 7000

Action Bronson
Blue Chips 7000
2017
Spotify

There are very few people who seem to be enjoying their life more than Action Bronson. From making mixtapes and slinging short order food to being on some fantastic and original TV shows "Fuck That's Delicious" and "Action Bronson Watches Ancient Aliens" as well  as writing and recording. Constantly high both on weed and life Action seems to flow through life like it all was planned out from the start. Mr. Wonderful Action's 2015 major label debut did not make him a rap superstar even though it was quite good which may be the reason Action has returned to the Blue Chips mixtape days. This album has a real mixtape feel to it, light and freewheeling the exact way a mixtape should. "La Luna" has producer and friend Alchemist creating a beat out of hold music which follows a skit as the two stumble to find a car to take them to the airport then get inspired by what they hear while waiting. This album really feels like Bronson is going back to basics, funny cutting lines coupled with jazz and funk infused beats which fits like a glove for Action Bronson. Some of his more high minded notions make their way on to this record with strings coming during the break of "the Chairman's Intent" or the Jazz outro of "La Luna" but amazingly Bronson is able to make these more idealistic ideas and make them relatable. Action is able to paint such vivid yet hilarious pictures with his lyrics it makes the album simply a joy to listen to. This record has enough to please the real hip hop heads but also enough funk to not sound dad rap-ish at all.

"Bonzai" has one of my favorite lines from the album "I might hang off the side of the mountain and trim a bonzai/Perfect 10 on the swan dive/I could never do no wrong in my mom's eyes". It is just so Action Bronson, its boisterous, bold yet incredibly funny at the same time. He does have his misses which he can't seem to avoid like on "Let it Rain" which begins with some sex noises and has more than a few "ya bitch" ad libs. For people thinking that Bronson went in the lab for the past two years to really evolve as an artists you are going to be very disappointed because more than anything BLue Chips 7000 feels like a return to Action's sweet spot. He is giving you exactly what you like about Action Bronson and what the hell is wrong with that? Because the record is such a family affair with Big Body Bes, Alchemist, Knxwledge and Party Supplies that at times it can start to sound like to much of the same. The record is missing that piece that might bring in some new fans, or blow Action up, but for the faithful the doubling down will be more than welcome. Blue Chips 7000 is not an album that is going to make Action Bronson a star, He's done this on his own outside of music, but it does show that the emcee still can murder a bar and perhaps with the right production might really set the world on fire.

8.0 out of 10