REVISIT: A$AP-a-Thon!

Before I begin this post, I'd like to address something from my last post.  I will be moving my ratings to a 1-10 scale and will change that on my posts and reviews.  And now back to our regularly scheduled programming!


A$AP Rocky's new album, Testing, might actually release tomorrow after being teased for several months.  In preparation, I decided to listen to 3 albums.  The first will be his 2015 album AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP.  The second will be the first A$AP Mob album Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1 Friends.  The third will be its follow-up Too Cozy.  For these reviews, the albums won't be rated and will be shorter than my usual album reviews.

1) A$AP Rocky - AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP

Two years after LONG.LIVE.A$AP, A$AP Rocky put out what would become a very divisive record among fans.  Many will either argue it's his best work or that it's his worst work.  I didn't remember what this album sounded like (it came out three years ago after all...).  After listening to it again, I will admit that this album is truly beautiful in almost every way.  This album showcases some of Rocky's best flows and beat selection yet.  The production is atmospheric and spacey throughout.  Tracks like "L$D," "Excuse Me," and "Dreams Interlude" will put you in a trance.  The stretch from "L$D" to "Jukebox Joints" is a non-stop streak of incredible, atmospheric music, especially the transition from "Electric Body" to "Jukebox Joints."  The features from well-known names like Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and ScHoolboy Q all make great contributions to the album.  If there was one problem I have, it's a bit long.  If this album were about two or three songs shorter, it'd be perfect.

Singles
Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2
M'$ (although the Lil Wayne feature was not present on the single)
Everyday - feat. Rod Stewart x Miguel x Mark Ronson
L$D

Favorite Tracks
Canal St. - feat. Bones
Excuse Me
M'$ - feat. Lil Wayne

Least Favorite Track
West Side Highway - feat. James Fauntleroy

2) A$AP Mob - Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends

It's honestly insane how underrated this tape is.  Bangers are present everywhere.  It also doesn't overstay its welcome as it's a concise length of 12 songs and 43 minutes.  The production throughout is amazing, especially on tracks like "Runner" and "Telephone Calls."  Even though most A$AP members pale in comparison to Rocky and Ferg, every member of the A$AP Mob brought their A-game for this.  But as fun as this tape is, it does have its flaws.  I could do without the skits and the hooks could have used some work.  While there are catchy hooks on songs like "Runner" or "Crazy Brazy," there are also repetitive and boring hooks on songs like "Way Hii," "Young [N-word] Livin," and "Nasty's World."

Singles

Yamborghini High - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Ant x A$AP Ferg x A$AP Nast x A$AP Twelvyy x Juicy J

Crazy Brazy - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Twelvyy x KEY

Runner - feat. A$AP Ant x Lil Uzi Vert

Telephone Calls - feat. A$AP Rocky x Tyler, The Creator x Playboi Carti x Yung Gleesh

Favorite Tracks

Money Man - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Nast

London Town - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Ant x Playboi Carti

Bachelor - feat. A$AP Rocky x Lil Yachty x MadeinTYO x Offset

Least Favorite Track

Way Hii - feat. A$AP Rocky x Wiz Khalifa x BJ The Chicago Kid x Buddy

3) A$AP Mob - Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy

I didn't like this one as much as Volume 1.  It's much better on a second listen, but the Mob doesn't bring the energy nearly as much on the second installment.  The production is great throughout and certainly kept me interested.  I think A$AP Rocky and Ferg delivered great verses on their tracks as well.  I also really liked the non-Mob features from Gucci Mane, Chief Keef, Lil Yachty, and the many others.  However, like I said, there wasn't as much energy as there was on Friends.  The title of this tape is right because it's way too cozy.  It makes for some boring points throughout the tracklisting.  The rest of the Mob that isn't Rocky or Ferg felt thrown in and didn't bring their A-game like they did on Friends.  The new members, Smooky MarGielaa and Playboi Carti, are incredibly hit or miss.  Repetition is still a problem and brings down the quality of some solid tracks like "FYBR," "Please Shut Up," and "Walk On Water."  Overall, I felt the album was very inconsistent and not nearly as fun as the first Cozy Tapes.

Singles

RAF - feat. A$AP Rocky x Playboi Carti x Quavo x Lil Uzi Vert x Frank Ocean

Feels So Good - feat. A$AP Ferg x A$AP Nast x A$AP Rocky x A$AP Twelvyy

Favorite Tracks

Blowin' Minds (Skateboard) - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Nast x A$AP Ant x Chief Keef x Playboi Carti

Frat Rules - feat. A$AP Rocky x Playboi Carti x Big Sean

What Happens - feat. A$AP Rocky x A$AP Ferg x Joey Bada$$ x Kirk Knight x Nyck Caution x Meechy Darko x Zombie Juice x A$AP Twelvyy x Playboi Carti

Least Favorite Track

Black Card - feat. A$AP Rocky x Smooky MarGielaa

Tomorrow and the rest of the weekend will include reviews of projects from A$AP Rocky (possibly), Juice WRLD, Pusha T (possibly), single reviews, and a best of May post.  I'd also like to introduce a new series called "Hot Take Tuesday" where I give some music takes that may not be popular among the general public.