[junkie-dropcap]S[/junkie-dropcap]ince the release of the first “Savage Mode” back in 2016, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin have seen a lot of growth commercially and artistically. The long awaited release of “Savage Mode II” is the reunion of 2 seasoned and refined artists. Which is a big part of why I’ve anticipated it. The original “Savage Mode” had some shining moments but 21 was a much more repetitive and even dull rapper at the time. Metro’s production wasn’t nearly at the level it is now either. So I knew “Savage Mode II” would have potential through the roof. Now that it’s finally here, let’s dive in.
21 and Metro’s chemistry on this album is better than it’s ever been. The majority of the songs on this album are well crafted bangers. But before I give them their due credit I have to praise the uncredited architect of this album’s scenery. Still to my disbelief, that would be Morgan Freeman. I don’t know how they got him on this thing but his narration segments are nothing short of a blessing.
Dominic Fike – What Could Possibly Go Wrong, Album Review
Like Vincent Price on “Thriller”, the air of sophistication he brings cannot be overstated. I want to hear Morgan Freeman say “a rat is a fucking rat, period” when I wake up every morning from now on. On to the music itself, part of why Morgan is such a strangely brilliant inclusion is the theatricality of Metro’s production. “Glock In My Lap” sounds straight out of a horrorcore album with it’s haunting strings. That chilling feeling isn’t a constant in the production but it’s a recurring factor, even when the beats aren’t quite so layered.
That being said, the production takes a few different turns throughout the album. “Mr. Right Now” and “Rich Shit” as I’m gonna call it both take 21 out of his comfort zone by sounding more suited to the featured artists than 21 himself. (Drake and Young Thug respectively) Both songs keep the trap flavoring but add some pop elements and both songs end up being pretty enjoyable. It’d probably be easy to point them out as “radio bait” or something but even if they are, it’s a successful attempt. Both songs, particularly “Mr. Right Now”, are catchy and the features bring great energy. Drake and Young Thug are both very inconsistent feature artists but when they’re on, the song is pretty much a guaranteed hit. This album fortunately got great performances from both. 21 Savage doesn’t get washed, either. He does a good job of maintaining the appeal on both songs.
The Story Behind “Morse Code” Smoke DZA’s Stream of Consciousness
The only other feature on the album is Young Nudy on “Snitches & Rats” though I wish that wasn’t the case. Not because the album needed more features but because Nudy ruined what had otherwise shaped up to be a great song with a terrible verse. His lyrics aren’t radically different from 21’s but his delivery is scattered, often offbeat and just overall weak. Anyone else could’ve done the song the justice it deserved but what we got is a tragedy. Though 2 out of the 3 features are fine, 21 Savage shines without them. His chemistry with Metro Boomin does more than enough to carry this album. Songs like “Slidin”, “Many Men” and the 90s throwback jam “Steppin” all have 21 rapping his ice-cold bars with his ice-cold delivery over hard beats. Which simply put is truly all I wanted this album to be. 21 has gotten so much better at sounding stoic without going all the way into monotony. He knows where the energy needs to be to link up with Metro’s insane beats.
This even shows differently on the last two songs which get a little more personal to end the album. “RIP Luv” isn’t the first song 21’s made about breakups but it’s without a doubt the smoothest. He may not be singing but “RIP Luv” is a straight up R&B song. The beat is as reminiscent of Bryson Tiller’s “Trapsoul” as Bryson’s recent album wishes it was. But it takes a step back into 90s ballad territory when that guitar solo comes in. At that point, I was ready to hear Seal start singing or something. But 21 does a great job with it.
LOU Tells a West Coast Story in Superb New EP “Gettin’ Away”
“Said N Done” keeps the slower pace of “RIP Luv” but ends the album on a more encouraging lyrical note. One that, even if only slightly, ties the album together. 21 refers back to all the struggles he’s talked about throughout the album. His environment, his lifestyle, people betraying him. But he shows how he overcame all of it to achieve success. He demonstrates how to go about life in “Savage Mode” because, as Morgan Freeman says, “anything else would be too damn civilized”.
Overall, “Savage Mode II” is easily my favorite trap album of the year. I have a hard time imagining who could top it in the next 2 months. Metro Boomin is doing God’s work in the genre as a producer and on this album, 21 Savage doesn’t struggle to acclimate. (I also feel the need to mention how nice is it to get a trap album in 2020 that gets out in less than an hour. If a deluxe edition of this gets announced, my mental constitution will collapse). I can only hope this album will lead by example for its contemporaries going forward and that Metro and 21 maintain their consistency wherever they go next.
