FS Album Review: Lil Baby's Takeover Bid "It's Only Me"
Since his 2018 record "Harder Than Ever," the Atlanta rapper has been controlling the charts with his iconic flow, voice manipulation, and emotional delivery. Lil Baby has carved out a niche for himself in the rap world, with a Grammy-winning, diamond-certified song and even being recruited to produce the FIFA World Cup 2023 anthem.
Over the past two years, Lil Baby has dropped a solo album, "My Turn," a collaborative project with Lil Durk, and show-stealing verses on DJ Khaled, Nav, and Gucci Mane tracks, as well as sharing his journey and ascent to popularity in the Amazon Prime documentary, "Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby."
While his listeners are nonstop tuning in to his latest record, this brings us to the question, is the new album worth it? What’s the downside? The best and the worst tracks? Get the full rundown of Lil Baby’s third studio album, "It’s Only Me," in this week's FREEMAG album review.
Is the album worth it?
If you're debating whether or not to listen to the record, simply put on your headphones and begin. The cadence of Lil Baby is unbeatable in every track. He has successfully tamed the listeners with stories of fast cars, childhood mischief, and rising from the trenches to become the biggest rapper of 2022. The bars are simple yet catchy, and most of the tracks have strangely funny hooks. The record also features a heavy dose of artists such as Future, Young Thug, Nardo Wick, Pooh Shiesty, EST Gee, Jeremih, and Rylo Rodriguez. Talking about the production, a series of beat makers were involved in the project. We hear unique sounds from hitmakers like Wheezy, Murda Beatz, Tay Keith, and SEVN Thomas. To sum it up, it is absolutely worth a listen.
What’s the downside?
The record, as shocking as it may sound, lacks variation. While there are some exceptional tunes, many of the songs are repetitious and lack passion and emotion. The comprehensive 23-record project is a little too long, and first-time listeners may abandon it halfway through. If the extraneous elements were eliminated from 'It's Only Me', it could compete with his past albums; unfortunately, it falls short of perfection.
The best and worst tracks?
Of the 23 tracks available, a few make up our best selection. On bangers like "California Breeze", "Stop Playin", and "Not Finished", he talks about his struggles, romantic life, and how he’s relentless towards his work compared to his competitors. In "Perfect Timing," he personifies wealth generation and how he puts his guard up due to the unsafe and perilous environment around him. The beat changeover in the song "Pop Out ft. Nardo Wick" generates a wild effect with the syrupy melodies, indicating that his voice is one of the greatest of this generation.
Our final verdict?
The album is undeniably a success for Lil Baby. It does, however, have the drawback of being a bit too lengthy. Overall, it is clear that the Atlanta star is making the most of his ascension, and he has been successful. If you are a Lil Baby, do listen to the album and let us know your thoughts. Follow our Instagram for further updates.
Stream Lil Baby’s "It’s Only Me" on Spotify and Apple Music NOW!