fetty wap's debut is entirely charismatic and sincere. he's not beating around the bush, he straight up talks about what he knows and what he likes, even if that scope is limited. the redeeming factor is his tonality and the texture of his music. switching between crooning and rapping overlaid over constant faint ad libbing provides a squad-like atmosphere even when he's doing the track alone. this helps create an energy that is nothing but driving, you really don't get a chance to relax because there's another voice when the main one stops. combine this with very infectious production and you get great songs - trap queen, 679, my way, etc. why change it up? he knows this works well, the three songs i mention here being singles prior to the album's release. and that's why you get an album entirely of bangers (a couple slower ones here and there) because it just works.
the shortcomings are clear; the aforementioned similarities from track to track, the sometimes garbled lyrics, the lyrical repetition. but they're only really bad if you let them be bad. if it all sounds like one track, you can think of it as such, but it's one hell of a track. if the lyrics become garbled, fall victim to how they sound (i learned this from future). if you're looking for lyrical prowess, turn of the album, grab your jansport and leave because we don't want you around when we play this.
i say "we" because this album is all about the group, the squad, the gang. 1738 references litter the album along with monty features. this album is for the boys (and girls). let's all hit the bando.
top 3 + bottom none: trap queen, 679, again
