Album Review with Alex: The Melodic Blue
The Melodic Blue is the debut studio album of the multi-talented rapper and producer, Baby Keem. This album caused plenty of anticipation as Keem’s last EP DIE FOR MY BITCH established Keem as a versatile artist with unique instrumentals. However, what arguably had fans most excited about this record was the involvement of one of hip hop’s greatest in Kendrick Lamar.
The single, family ties, gave fans the first taste of new Lamar content since his 2018 Black Panther soundtrack after releasing DAMN the previous year. The duo did not disappoint, giving the public one of the most dynamic and attention-demanding tracks this year.
Keem did not abandon this brand on The Melodic Blue, but instead further expanded upon it and added layers of lyrical improvement and zany vocals that make this album an enjoyable listen for fans of hip hop.
Throughout this record, influences from Kanye West and Travis $cott appear in both Keem’s rapping and his instrumentals, with Keem himself producing 15 out of the 16 tracks. Nods to the post-Soundcloud era of the late artist XXXTENTACION and Comenthazine find a cozy place upon the myriad of sounds and timbres of this record.
Tracks such as booman and scapegoats showcase the flavorful production throughout this entire record and stand out as reputation-building highlights for what is to come in Keem’s future discography. Additionally, it is impossible to ignore the track range brothers ft Kendrick Lamar, as it summarizes the talent that the two cousins bring to the rap scene, as well as giving us one of the most bizarre endings to a “traditional” hip hop track, but it becomes difficult to categorize Keem’s sound and energy as anything conventional.
This record is full of surprises and plenty of high points, and its dazzling sounds and colors make it very easy to look over some of the technical faults and lyrically duller moments on the album. Keem’s image and reputation after this album show one of the most promising figures in music today, and Keem leaves his audience only wanting more. With the potential Keem has demonstrated, he has established himself as someone who can become one of the greats.
