Your Eyez Only - he did this project for himself and not us.
In a world where this is 15 tracks, maybe, this is a 9/10 project. At this point he's matured SO much as a rapper, but he's also bound by the idea that he has to use this fame productively by tastefully preaching (which isn't morally bad but it makes for worse music). If the whole album was like the back half, this would undoubtedly be his best project - tracks like Once an Addict, Window Pain, and BRACKETS are all densely lyrical and emotional. KOD - Concise, focused concept album with 2 distinct voices, one occupying the first half of the tracklist, the other occupying the back half. Nothing preachy, but takes a minor hit for Crooked Smile existing. Some of his best lyricism blended in with his personality (Villuminati, Land of the Snakes, Runaway, Forbidden Fruit) but also some introspective storytelling (Rich Niggaz, Trouble). Peak Cole, as he's mature enough to not be making his mixtape era corny and pointless jokes, but he's also not SO big in rap that he feels obligated to dilute good music with forced narratives (besides Love Yourz).īorn Sinner - Perfect album for a very specific mood.
Forest Hills Drive - beautiful and coherent project, has a variety of perspectives and styles that Cole puts into it.