Album of the Month: May 2020

Before the last Friday of May, I was unsure what album I would pick this month. While there were a couple of high-profile drops from Future, Charli XCX, Drake, and many more, none of these albums stood out to me. Each of them had a few standout singles, but none of these albums had full cohesion to me. Enter Alfredo. Only announced a day before its release, Alfredo instantly excited fans because of the star power behind it, legendary producer The Alchemist and the phenomenal rapper Freddie Gibbs. 

This album did not disappoint with stellar jazz and soul production from The Alchemist and Freddie Gibbs’ dominance over each track. While I don’t believe that every track is as captivating as the others, there truly are no bad songs on this record. Each track flows into each other beautifully through instrumental breaks or sampled dialogue, which creates a cohesive feeling throughout the album. As far as production goes, The Alchemist is solid throughout the album with the smooth guitar on “Something to Rap About” and roaring church organ on “All Glass” being personal highlights. One small criticism, however, is that I would’ve enjoyed a bit more variety. Some tracks, in my opinion, become a little repetitive instrumentally.

Backed by The Alchemist’s vast and lavish production, Freddie Gibbs once again proves his mastery of flow and cadence. The song “God is Perfect,” which ironically has nothing to do with religion, is a complete masterclass of  vocal gymnastics as Freddie Gibbs is constantly switching his flow and voice. Freddie’s lyrics on this album are not uncommon for him as he raps of criminal activity. In addition, Freddie takes an introspective look at his life at times and describes the racial tensions seen in the United States. These themes help to better paint a picture of Freddie Gibbs, even if not fully focused through a greater concept.

The Verdict: For The Alchemist’s entrancing jazz and soul soundscape and Freddie Gibbs’ continued dominance as a Hip-Hop superstar, I believe that Alfredo is May 2020’s Album of the Month.