ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE / BROCKHAMPTON / April 9, 2021
- Joshua Yoo
- Apr 19, 2021
- 1 min read
From their studio debut til now, BROCKHAMPTON have collectively endured quite a few trials during their barreling rise to the top. But while the group’s previous projects contained the somber tone of their tribulations, ‘ROADRUNNER’ shifts the message to one of hope, of light, invoking much of the infectious and punchy energy that first spawned their artistry.
Penned as the penultimate of their career, ‘ROADRUNNER’ truly encompasses the band’s stylistic diversity and cogency to the greatest degree, the album’s mixture of sounds proving their most ambitious, yet rewardingly effective. The group shifts through posse-cut freestyles (“WINDOWS”), emotionally cutting bangers (“DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY”), and even pure boy-band pop (“I’LL TAKE YOU ON”) with invigorating lyricism, captivating performances from their in-house artists, and refreshing production choices, all while still managing to maintain an overall cohesiveness to the album in its assorted sonic palette and guest list.
Thematically, BROCKHAMPTON continue to pull from their hardships, leading to touching, sometimes devastating, moments of lyricism. The tragic passing of Joba’s father acts as a significant thematic focus, with the emotional punching “THE LIGHT PT. II” divulging Joba’s personal message, or the stirring gospel-inspired “DEAR LORD” seeing the group consoling their member.
All in all, ‘ROADRUNNER’ exceeds in harnessing the best of the collective’s artistry. Near the (so-called) end of their career, the boy band is at their sharpest and most assured form.
Highlight(s): BUZZCUT, DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY, WHEN I BALL, THE LIGHT PT. II, CHAIN ON, WHAT’S THE OCCASION?, WINDOWS, COUNT ON ME, THE LIGHT
Lowlight(s): OLD NEWS
SCORE: 9/10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsQhOCkczHQ
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