It's basically an electronic album where carti's a hype man for the production + a few dope rap features (nicki, thug, skepta, gunna, etc all killed it). But I really dig it cuz he sounds so laid back.
I think that's more fair than just skirting the issue like the reviewer does. It's not even like he's an unconventional rapper that doesn't satisfy the lyrical standards or something. He's just basic af. No quirks. I don't think it's a nitpick to suggest there are countless other artists who would elevate the production rather than just escort it.
Yeah, that's one of my main problems I see in criticism is that they either gloss over something like that or try to paint an artist as something they're not. He just sounds cool--really he's more a part of the production than anything in a way. I feel like he's the Atlanta version of bounce or Miami bass, where the lyrics hardly matter and they're just repetitive and fun to get you hyped. I also think it's funny that he kinda succeeds at what Travis Scott attempts (curating a cohesive album with a star-studded guest list and production) with not even an attempted illusion of being an "artist's artist" or profound or having lyrics with any sort of meaning. He's just fun.
The review was filled with way over the top superlatives and exaggerated expressions, but I'm glad it's getting praise. I think you guys said it best that Carti succeeds at making simple fun music better than his peers that try a bit too hard at making something look more than what it is
