Danny Brown
Old
Fools Gold
Danny Brown is a ridiculous human being, as latest album ‘Old’ attests. If you were to draw a pie chart of the lyrical content of this album, you’d basically be looking at a 50/50 split between drug talk and sex talk with the two overlapping somewhere in between. Hang on, maybe a Venn diagram would be more appropriate. It’s certainly not subtle in that respect and Danny’s lyrical reputation as crude and lewd (albeit smart and unique) remains intact. Yet the production, as much as it is big and bold at times , is also nuanced and thoughtful. The guest spots are varied and interesting, solidifying Brown’s foray into indie-pop with production and contribution from blog-tastic Purity Ring (remember when he appeared on a remix of Belispeak?) as well as Charli XCX appearing.
Danny also stays true to his hip hop cred and potential scope to start appealing to a wider audience in that world with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul also cropping up with admirable turns. He continues his love affair with UK grime and the underbelly of the London scene too with a positively candescent verse from Londoner Scruffizer in ‘Dubstep’. This track and the next ‘Dip’ (featuring an almost tourettes-like use of the word mollie and a mind-bending use of dark, dirty and driving electronic beats) make for one of the most compelling track pairings in recent times. They each sound unique in their own way yet the flow from one to the other is seamless and compelling. Producer SKYWLKR done good there.
Danny Brown was recently quoted as saying that he uses his signature high-pitched rapping voice when it’s party / happy time and a lower tone for the more serious moments in his music. For those accustomed to “party” Danny, the lower-pitched moments of ‘Old’ will throw you. He literally sounds like a different person and you can’t be blamed for wondering who is guesting on some of the tracks near the start of the album when really that’s just Danny’s serious side coming to the fore. There are certainly dark points and the production is oftentimes ominous in its mood, despite the overall good times vibe. Plus, you can’t help but feel dirty listening to some of those lyrics. But when party Danny is in full flow, you can’t help but want to party with Danny Brown. His live performances are already stuff of party legend.
Unquestionably one of the albums of the year.
Winegums