James’ response
“The Life of Pablo” excels in letting features shine. From Swizz Beatz’s manic ad-libbing at the end of “Famous,” the Weeknd on “FML” and Sampha’s killer send-off with “Saint Pablo,” many of the album’s greatest moments are Ye-less.
The gospel-influenced “Ultralight Beam” and “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1” need no glazing as they’re obvious highlights. So is the kick drum-heavy “Highlights” with a memorable bridge from singer El DeBarge. Despite how business-oriented and self-centered the bars are on “Facts (Charlie Heat Version),” it’s a personal favorite of mine, as well.
The impossible trifecta of Ye, Kendrick Lamar and producer Madlib on “No More Parties in LA” is one for the history books, and ironic considering Ye’s recent tweet dissing Lamar and Tyler, the Creator. However, even that song feels out of place on this rollercoaster of a track list with nothing holding it together besides tacky glue and Ye’s intrusive thoughts on full display.
All this aside, for how much Ye talks about sex on here, this album doesn’t have a lot of balls. Most songs follow the structure of Ye talking about himself and how crazy he is, only to go into a melodic chorus that’s almost always better than his verses. There’s no sense of awareness that this music will reach a broader community like he had on “Late Registration” or Lamar did on “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015.
As a result, each of this album’s 20 songs are vapid and lack any higher meaning, which I typically don’t mind, but this is a major drop-off from his albums in the 2000s. “Late Registration” gave plenty of social commentary, “Graduation” was anthemic and meant to entertain giant stadiums … so what is “The Life of Pablo” meant to do? Stroke Ye’s ego and sound nice?
Begrudgingly, I’ll admit it does a fantastic job at both, but it also gave him the confidence to ditch cohesion in his work and throw shit at the wall, a defining trait of “Donda” and the “VULTURES” series. It’s safe to say I miss the old Kanye. You do, too.
Rating: 3.75/5
Ky’Lynn’s response
Unlike James, I spent this past week listening to “The Life of Pablo” by Ye, so it’s safe to say I’ve been on the “Ultralight Beam” while he has been stuck in the “Low Lights.”
For those who haven’t heard this album, here’s a quick synopsis of the album: it is like scrolling though Ye’s X account at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday. You will get a little bit of inspiration, some delusion but all it is is an unforgettable experience.
“The Life of Pablo” isn’t just an album, it is a moment of time capturing the peak of Mr. West’s career. Making history with the premiere of the album at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2016, during the Yeezy Season 3 fashion show.
Ye opens the album with a church moment in “Ultralight Beam” then pivots to the core of the album “Father Stretch my Hands Pt.1.” The triumphant sunrise of the synths and gospel, interrupted with the “If young metro doesn’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you.” This moment captures what the entire album consists of, an unhinged spirit, scared yet soaked in pure ego. The intro makes you feel as if you are floating into the heavens and just as you think you’ve reached the gates, Ye yanks you back down slaps you with Desiigners’ “Panda” beat in “Pt. 2” and all of a sudden you went from heaven’s gate to a mosh pit.
Although “Famous” is seen as the spark of the album — big thanks to Rhianna for the vocals — “Feedback” is truly the explosion. The beat sounds like it was built out of malfunctioning elections which could’ve been Ye’s way of paying tribute to his previous album “Yeezus.” The song itself is messy and uncomfortable but perfect. “Y’all sleeping on me, huh? Had a good snooze?” That line is not just simply a bar from the GOAT, but rather it is a reminder. A reminder what while everyone spends time debating his relevance, he was relevance and changed the genre of hip-hop/rap as we know it.
“Feedback” cannot go unnoticed when talking about “The Life of Pablo,” it is a song pushing past opinions and letting the world know once again that Ye writes his own narrative.
In the final moments of my split record review, I must leave you all with some “Facts.” “Yeezy, Yeezy, Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman.” It is a brilliant, ridiculous and clever line. A long flex about shoes and somehow a presidential announcement, “Facts” is the type of track that makes you walk faster just listening to it. Sadly for Ye, his 2020 presidential run fizzled into a bunch of tweets and merch drops. But Ye being Ye, he is not done. Even though 2024 wasn’t his year 2028 might be. Don’t be too surprised if you see “Ye ‘28” on a ballot near you.
“The Life of Pablo” is a beautiful mess. A jeen-yuhs giving the people a pathway into his mind, letting us peek inside, and daring us to “Keep up” with the madness. It’s not just an album or statement, it’s a reflection, revolution and experience.
Rating: 4.75/5