Written by: Oliver Heffron
Score: 9/10
In the most surprising musical left turn in recent memory, Lil Yachty delivers an incredible alternative album with Let’s Start Here, working with a talented roster of musicians to blend elements of psychedelic rock, pop, and Jazz in one cohesive project that confronts maturation as something surreal, existential, and uplifting. The album’s distinct vision synthesis of different influences and musicians Yachty’s talent as an artist and orchestrator of sound.
While there’s nothing wrong with Lil Boat’s patented bubblegum trap sound, it’s triumphant to witness maybe the most chastised member of the iconic 2016 XXL Freshman Class absolutely rise to the musical challenge, delivering something beautiful and unexpected, which even the most skeptical critic will be forced to acknowledge.
Grounded in excellent production from Justin Raisen, Mac Demarco, Chairlift’s Patrick Wimberly, Unknown Mortal Orchestra bassist Jacob Portrait, synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay, and DJ Jack Latham, the album expresses a variety of alternative influences to create something new. Assisted by incredible features from Diana Gordon, Teezo Touchdown, Fousheé, Justine Skye, and Daniel Caesar, Lil Yachty’s unique voice and friendly charisma anchor an immersive psychedelic journey from the first track to the last.
Photo Courtesy of Lil Yachty
Speaking of the first track, “the BLACK seminole.” introduces the album with a dazzling, dense 6-minute Pink Floyd-esque odyssey that can only be described as the Wock Side of the Moon. The track starts small with a tight, vibrating synth pattern, then expands into a vast, surreal psych-rock groove with lyrics that powerfully depict the contemporary rap musician’s image within the nation’s dark tradition of sexualizing and fetishizing the creative and emotional expression of the oppressed. About halfway through, the track breaks down to be uplifted by a show-stealing nonlexical vocal performance by Diana Gordon, reminiscent of Clare Torry on “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Both musically and lyrically, “the BLACK seminole.” movingly reclaims Yachty’s sound and message and sets the project’s bold, psychedelic tone.
Yachty indulges in Tame Impala influences on “the ride-,” delivering sweet falsetto melodies between sweeping synths, glimmering keys, and big bass slabs. In one of many examples of the project of excellent collaboration, the Teezo Touchdown feature fits the track like a glove, with his flow floating over the beat and harmonizing with Yachty’s melodies.
“running out of time” keeps the hips shaking and the eyes fixed on the clock with its witty combination of an infectious slap bass groove and lyrics dreading the passing of time. Next, Yachty delivers the hypnotic vibrato made famous by “Poland” on the blossoming ode to self-love “pRETTy” before providing an insightful spoken-word interlude “:(failure(:” which recontextualizes failure as an opportunity for growth.
“THE zone~” cycles between saturated guitar choruses and slick bass verses as Yachty and singer Justine Skye take turns lyrically questioning the concept of home. “WE SAW THE SUN!” shimmers with its blistering psych-rock groove and intergalactic mixing, sonically manifesting the vastness of a sunrise in the desert before concluding with an inspiring excerpt from the late great Bob Ross.
The swirling strings and breezy beat of “Drive ME crazy!” feels like sipping on delicate fine china while floating through space. Diana Gordon steals the show again, delivering an elegant opening verse before unleashing an impossibly catchy chorus. Swelling synth chords break down the track before Yachty dusts off his MC hat to provide a series of bars that float with the boom-bap beat. “Say Something” delivers similarly infectious and layered pop excellence in a more somber hue as Yachty delivers sweet teenage nostalgia over late-night electric piano chords, glitzy synth arpeggios, and fuzzy basslines.
Photo Courtesy of Lil Yachty
“IVE OFFICIALLY LOST ViSiON!!!!” sees Let’s Start Here at its most experimental, beginning with nearly a minute and a half of sonic frenzy and dissonance before Yachty breaks into drug-induced dissociation. Soft keys and Diana Gordon’s powerful range break down the song before lifting it up for a massive crescendo. The track strangely fades away with synth strings and audio of someone’s feet running through the woods.
The attention to detail within the transitional moments, both within songs and on the tracklist, set this album apart from comparable ventures by artists into new genres, displaying an appreciation for the intricacies of making an excellent alternative LP never seen before by a rapper taking that bold step into rock music. The best example is the transition between “sHouLd i B?” and “The Alchemist.,” which knits the two tracks together so seamlessly that they feel like two sides of the same song.
While a hip-hop artist making a rock album is not a new phenomenon, the brilliant execution of an audacious alternative vision makes Lil Yachty’s Let’s Start Here stand out as an incredible achievement and source of inspiration for musicians wanting to try something different without sacrificing the quality of the music.
While Lil Yachty’s bubblegum trap sound and SoundCloud come-up will forever have a special place in the history of rap, there’s no denying Let’s Start Here is his best album yet. The album's impressive composition propels Yachty’s reputation in a similar way as Flower Boy did for Tyler, the Creator, however its unflinching, triumphant dive into a completely new genre make it truly stand out as something special.