Yeezus

Been struggling with this album, Ye's rapping is falling off further, though it isn't much worse than his effort on Watch the Throne, or *shudder* Cruel Summer.  I'm really glad A) that he left "luxury rap" behind and B) he isn't relying on guest rappers to carry his songs, but his writing and chops aren't there. (it sounds like he'd be out of breath climbing a flight of stairs.)

It is awesome that he is confident enough to only use a couple Chicago kids; it would be better is he just upped his game enough to rap on the same track with Pusha T without it being embarrassing.  Cuz Pusha could have killed several of these productions.   White indie critics are focusing on the beats being alienating because they swim in a lukewarm soup of bedroom "pop," that isn't the problem with the album.  There just aren't enough Eureka! moments for it to be a top-tier Kanye album.  Although it does get bonus points for excluding Big Sean.

He continues to get awesome work out of Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, Charlie Wilson and Kid Cudi (even Chief fucking Keef is pretty good) and they save the day for me.  6 out of the 10 I legit enjoy, though nothing up there with his best stuff.  Breakdown (with track number) in descending order from most to least.  Except "I'm In It."  I hate that the most.  Out of everything.  Worst.

Dig It

#4 New Slaves 

 Frank Ocean's improvisational coda over this weird old European prog number is the song of the year:

#10 Bound 2 

#7 Blood on the Leaves (needs to cut off the third and fourth verses. Hov-worship was boring 4 albums ago)

#2 Black Skinhead 

#8 Guilt Trip

#5 Hold My Liquor

Alright With It 

#3 I Am a God

#1 On Sight

HATE IT

#9 Send it Up

#6 I'm In It