Merid Merid
Thu December 17, 2015 7:42 am
December 4th, G Eazy released his second studio album, When It’s Dark Out. He released his debut album in 2014, These Things Happen, which peaked at number #3 on the US Billboard 200. This album showed his potential, and although “I Mean It” was mediocre he still provided a immense 13 out of 15 tracks. Coming into 2015, G Eazy’s buzz grew, landing him interviews with Sway in the Morning; but I had a feeling of mainstream influence dawning on his rap profile after releasing “You Got Me”.
As a white rapper, his position in the industry is examined immediately and of course he had some flaws. At times, he had “corny” or mediocre bars and basic flows but he’s only been in the game for a solid year and a half, so it was expected. Going into September, G Eazy released around 5 songs that did not really catch attention until he took over October and November releasing 8 tracks off the album before the official release.
“When It’s Dark Out” begins with a gloomy intro, with a sinister piano note followed by a dark guitar chord and chorus vocals. G Eazy spits a poem and his voice is echoed by deep tone, demon-like. This basically portrays and signifies the title and assumed message of “When It’s Dark Out”. Following with the second track “Random”, his braggadocios flow emerges and his delivery is uncanny. I feel his growth is publicized even though the bars aren’t crazy, they aren’t weak either and the beat compliments perfectly with triumphant vibe.
The third track “Me, Myself, and I”, G Eazy delivers a song to elevate you when you’re doubting yourself or feeling down, but also a song to vibe to when feeling on top. “One Of Them ft. Big Sean” continues the dark theme with Sean delivering a fire feature as usual. G Eazy’s life starts to emerge in “Drifting ft. Tory Lanez & Chris Brown”, as he explains his relationship strains with his girlfriend Devin Baldwin. This is an example of the dark related to “When Its Dark Out”, focusing on his troubles in his life.
“Off All Things ft. Too $hort” has an original bay area sound accompanied by strong, very punctual delivery and as always Too $hort delivers an amusing verse subjected on women and smoking. “Order More” is a pass up track honestly and “Calm Down” has a pop type tempo and melody you cant help to groove too. He delivers two aggressive bars; “And f*** it I’m the coldest white rapper in the game , Since the one with the bleached hair” and “Having visions of f****** an A list singer, Kardashian, or a Jenner, But Ye’s got Kim, Tyga swooped up Kylie, So there’s one left watch me go get her."The next two tracks “Don’t Let Me Go” and “You Got Me” are two more pass up tracks.
“What If ft Gizzle’ is one of the best tracks on the album, with a “Future” feel to the beat but instead of “trap” dialogue he opens up with his introspective side. G Eazy questions a lot of controversial issues dealing with the world and music, from Presidents to White Stereotype in Hip Hop to Authenticity, G Eazy ask “What If?”
This track shifts the album’s vibe, continuing on where G Eazy reveals himself and we start to get to explore his thoughts and his life. “Sad Boy” is a summarization of the two sides of G Eazy, the untouchable king and Gerald the regular human. He’s questioning himself because he is still worried about minor things he sacrificed to be major, he’s also puzzled about whether it was all worth it on not. “Some Kind of Drug” is a song I feel the ladies will enjoy the most because of the message and up tempo/love sound it has. The title is self explanatory, as G Eazy describes the feelings he acquires from love with this girl.
“Think About You ft Quin” has G Eazy describing a troubled situation with an significant other, maybe secretly detailing his status with girl-friend Devin Baldwin. Quin lays down a beautiful chorus, off first listen you will probably mistake her for Jhene Aiko. This song is “repeat only” for those times stuck in your feelings when you need to hear something relatable. “Everything Will Be Ok ft Khelani” as always G Eazy shows his Bay love with his features but him and Khelani have chemistry and history together with other tracks “Get Away” and “Champion”. This track is the deepest song on the album that reveals the “dark” in G Eazy’s life. He summarizes his past from pursing his dreams and ditching his teenage brother the muscle through the struggle of taking care of their sick mom to accepting his mothers homosexuality to finally losing his mothers partner, whom he had grown to care for, to an overdose of pills. G Eazy admitted in an interview he hasn’t even told some of his closest friends about that tragedy. “For This Ft. IAMNOBODI” provides a mellow beat production accompanied by G Eazy calm flow and demeanor; overall this track shows his progression as a rapper since his first studio project. “Nothing to Me ft Keyshia Cole & E-40” put a positive ending to the sentimental subjects released previously throughout the album, G Eazy describes rising above criticism, realizing his accomplishments, and worrying solely about himself and his family. Overall this album was a very good listen and proved to me G Eazy can solidify himself in today’s competitive industry. As with every rapper, there are categories he can improve on but I can honestly rate this project a 7.5/10.