The "Search & Rescue" for good, new music is over!

     It has been quite an exciting couple weeks for musical content. Boygenius released their stellar debut album "the record" just one week ago. I have been experiencing sensory overload ever since! Now, a couple of my favorite artists chose to collaborate or individually drop singles promoting their upcoming projects. These are some all-stars too. We're talking about Drake, Pharrell (with Aminé, Kaytranada), and Lil Yachty. 

    Let's start with Drake who is titularly responsible for this entry. "Search & Rescue" is simply Drake in his lane. The melodies are well trodden. The lyrics resonate in the same spaces as themes he has explored in the past but here he seems more open to the darkness that exists here. Drake might be boasting brazenly about the idea that he's a "Certified Lover Boy" who will likely remain the world's most eligible bachelor forever on prior records. However, on this track he seems to genuinely be sending out an S.O.S with a meticulously specific list of qualifications necessary for his "one". It's so quintessentially Drake it's almost impossible to not love it if you're a fan. I will elucidate here that I am a fan. To quote Jerry Seinfeld, "I love the Drake!". The aspect of this song that will get under-appreciated in Rolling Stone reviews and frat boys' exclamations about it blasting at one of their pre-games is the sneaky synth bass. The line sneaks in and out of prominence always providing a somewhat sinister backdrop. However, the bass takes center stage on the chorus with its silk, dreamy movement. This almost syncopated fulcrum serves as the perfect bounce for Drake to come in and deliver his pitch perfect vocals. It's a comfort listening to Drake because you know his vocals will always be perfectly produced. Where other artists might not have the best SM-58 to sing into or not employ vocoder like effects, Drake is fastidious that his voice sounds as crisp and clear on a ballad just as much as one of his most diaristic entries. The piano here is also "Halloween"-esque and  provides great momentum. 

    Aminé first launched onto the scene with "Caroline" in 2017. If you've never heard that absolute banger, please do yourself a favor and check it out right now. It's rare that a club anthem references getting "gory like a Tarantino movie" and talks about horoscopes in the same breath. There's an ease to Aminé's vocal performance that's always been infectious. It's marvelous how he's able to string together punchlines and often intricate double entendres all with his laid-back, cheeky style. 2017 was an exciting time for rap music as you had Aminé following in the footsteps of Kyle's "iSpy" another song contagious in its unique kitschy energy. These are the songs that laid out the blueprint for how to make hit rap songs that borrow and emulate other genres and rest in a comfort that they won't get too esoteric with the references if they speak from passion. Kaytranada has been accumulating credibility and acclaim for years in the EDM genre. He's the rare gem who can seamlessly incorporate elements of Jazz, R&B, and Funk into a genre that sometimes careens into "ooh ooh" chants from audiences. On his collaborations there's a palpable excitement that he can channel the voices of featuring artists and this track is no exception. On "4EVA" Pharrell blesses the track with his BEAUTIFUL vocals. In my public and private life I sing the praises of this man ad nauseam, but that is simply because he is one of the most talented individuals to ever grace this Earth. I feel so fortunate consistently to exist at a time when such a pure, creative soul exists and is fulfilled with joy by sharing his gift with the world. I can think of no spirit more perfect to carry on the legacy of Louis Vuitton bolstered by Virgil Abloh. Non-sequiturs aside, this track is smooth. It feels like it was perfectly manufactured to exist in a state of limbo before being curated on many a "Summer Vibes" playlist. Aminé raps calmly and confidently crushing his verses. Pharrell soars on the hook. Kaytranada has intricate rhythms disguised in tasteful bass guitar and electric keys. Great track. 

    I'm intensely happy with the direction that Lil Yachty's music has taken in this past year. Don't get me wrong, Lil Boat had some absolute slappers. His feature on Chance the Rapper's "Mixtape" is legendary. However, it's always revitalizing to see an artist swap genres and feel so comfortable in their new sound. "Let's Start Here." is one of the best rap projects released in the 2020s. Lil Yachty has already established himself as one of the trailblazers of this new generation of rap. If we're talking about the throne, it's pretty clear that it is likely to have new inhabitants. It's also probable that a couple of those spots on the top 3 let's say we'll be taken up by JID and 21 Savage. That third seat seems liable to fall to Yachty. The seat will especially suit him if he keeps playing around with wavey, borderline psych-rock beats and contributing with his signature sound over quippy bars. In all honesty this single, "Strike (Holster)" didn't really do it for me. On "Let's Start Here.", there were so many enthralling misdirects where instead of Yachty's lackadaisical drone, Diana Gordon would come in and sing her heart out like the Alanis  Morissette type rockstar she has now been discovered to be. She is prominently featured on tracks like "Black Seminole" and "Drive me Crazy!". Recency bias always plagues me but her performance with Lil Yachty on SNL of the former of these two tracks brought me to tears. She has a truly special voice. However, Yachty didn't think it was necessary to bring her in on this single which I'd say is a mistake. The one silver lining on this track is the clear Fetty Wap inspiration that takes place around the 1:31 mark. Lil Yachty's voice sounds real nice here. Good work, man. 

    Overall really impressed with these tracks! "Search & Rescue" (7.6), "4EVA" (8.4), "Strike (Holster)" (6.5)!