Overall, Ab-Soul shows he can still rap, but for better or for worse he seems to be mostly just having fun on this album. Another is “Kendrick Lamar’s Interlude” using the same beat and style from “Ab-Soul’s Outro” on Kendrick’s Section.80 album. Some of the highlights for me include the verse at the end of “Tree Of Life” where Ab-Soul incorporates the word “soul” in many different ways, ending with “…that was a stretch/ I’m Ab-Soul-lutely the best”. With Ab-Soul mimicking the general mainstream hip-hop landscape, there are a few songs on here I’m not really feeling, but it’s an overall solid album. Among these hidden gems is something you don’t see too often: a full-length rap battle at the end of the album with Soulo and Daylyt trading acapella bars in the booth. Part of the fun is hearing how songs completely change before they end, almost as if there are hidden extra songs throughout the album. While Control System had a bunch of songs I liked better than anything on here, These Days is a smoother listen from front to back, and generally has a more fun vibe to it. That’s not to say Ab-Soul has become wack, it’s just a different style to get used to. There are a lot of repeated lyrics, less complex rhymes, easy to follow flows, and generally dumbed-down subject matter. There are still glimpses of his old style, with his focus on wordplay and thought-provoking lyrics, but These Days sees Ab-Soul sort of emulate the sound of modern mainstream hip-hop. Just when you thought Ab-Soul established his style, he went and switched things up on this album. Not at one point was i disappointing with the dark minimal production and how well Ab-soul rides over it.This album threw some fans off, as it sounds very different from Ab-Soul’s previous album, 2012’s Control System. Next the production overall is just phenomenal. Its obviously one of the greatest on the album. It shows also that absoul can make an extremely catchy and hit song. Schoolboy Q for me is my second favourite artist and this song reminds me a lot of my favourite song of his, prescription / oxymoron. I'm especially impressed and in love with the track D.R.U.G.S. Also his actual hooks on songs such as 'Huey knew then' 'D.R.U.G.S', 'Raw', 'Womenogamous' and 'The Law' are so extremely catchy. His rapping on these tracks is impeccable with his flow and how well he rides these dark beats. Starting with the trio of 'Raw', 'Braille' and 'Huey Knew Then'. This album displays enormous amounts of technical ability. For many people will say this isn't a casual listen as he is way too lyrical. Examples of this are "Just to be precise, who knew that genesis really meant the genealogy of ISIS?" "Hit me up with your 3rd eye phone" Next his rapping ability. HERBERT is Ab-Soul’s first album in six years. There is many cases of this on the album which he will bring together these funny, creative and mind expanding word plays which make you think and challenge your thinking. This has an obvious two meanings, but it feels so smart for how simple it is. The obvious stand out lyric is on a favourite track of mine 'beat the case' saying 'A criminal's best asset is his (lie)abilities. He is very creative to me with how he decides to use his words. For me Ab-soul seems like he decided to rap as soon as he got out of biology and philosophy class and decided to use his learning content in his raps with constant references to the bible and religion it makes for a very interesting listening experience. For me this album is a really good change of pace from other artists. There is obvious themes such as love for women, women appreciation and the only law being love (hence the title do what thou wilt). Rather leave it to you for interpretation. When it took the time to digest what he said in each song, for me he didn't plan to have an overarching theme. For what I've read, the main concerns with the album is that they are unable to find an overall purpose for the theories, analogies and metaphors he is constantly throwing out. For what I've read, the main concerns with This is the first album which got me turned onto Ab-soul and for me, is an amazing piece of work. This is the first album which got me turned onto Ab-soul and for me, is an amazing piece of work.
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