David Crone, writer.

The Context: having been hotly-tipped by blogs and tastemakers in the late 2010s, California-born rapper Baby Keem blew into the mainstream with “Orange Soda,” a woozy, trippy trap anthem that soon garnered over 200 million streams online. His follow-up mixtape, DIE FOR MY BITCH, showcased a rapper with a unique gift for vibe and melody, an MC with a distinct approach to the trap genre.

With his debut album, The Melodic Blue, Keem looks to make a major artistic statement, demonstrating his versatility with genres from alternative R&B to melodic trap. At its extremes, the project is riveting: “scars” channels 808s-era Kanye for a compelling self-discovery, “hooligans” is a nocturnal ode to empty hedonism, and “south africa” keeps the floor-stomping energy of a “MOSHPIT.” Unfortunately, much of the rest of the album struggles from tonal inconsistency, unable to quite hit the right balances in auto-tune, melody, and aggression. It’s clear Keem is able to produce a seminal work, but The Melodic Blue is more of a hit-and-miss string of great ideas.

Read my full review of the album at AllMusic via the button below:

Rating: 2.5/5

Top 3: “Scars,” “Hooligans,” “No Sense

Genres: Melodic Trap, Experimental Trap, Trap, Alternative R&B, Alternative Pop, Contemporary Rap, Hip-Hop

Features: Kendrick Lamar, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Brent Faiyaz.