Bryson Tiller, [T R A P S O U
L] Album Review
[T R A P S O U L] is Bryson Tillers
first official released album. He previously released a mixtape in 2011 titled Killer Instinct, but since then his
voice has immensely changed. While Killer
Instinct was more soothing, Trey Songz-like, T R A P S O U L is more rugged, and raw. Tiller’s masterful
employment of drum kits and 808’s work beautifully with his mixture of singing
and rapping.
The album consists of 14 tracks, totaling
45 minutes of listening. Albums these days are trending towards being shorter, and
this album was the perfect length. A key component of this album is the lack of
features, which lets Tiller appropriately shine. He shows off his inner Casanova,
by slowing down the pace in the middle of the album, and then revamps at the
end. The tracks seamlessly flow from one to another, sounding like the album is
one whole track. At the same time, listeners can pick and choose which tracks
they want to listen to, and won’t lose the concept of the album. The singer/songwriter
out of Louisville, Kentucky, really outdid himself on this one.
"Intro(Difference)"
The appropriately titled track sets off the whole tone for
the album. It’s popular without being pop. This 1 minute 30 second intro shows
Tiller’s desperation for love. In this track, he seems to be explaining how he
isn’t “like other guys.” He says the words, “Can you tell the difference? / No,
you can tell the difference / Oh yes, I say, with me it's different / Baby, I
know you see the difference.” After those words, “Let Em’ Know” starts.
"Let Em’ Know"
This track is one of the more upbeat and fast tempo tracks
on the album. He is talking to a girl that is not taking him seriously, and
voices his frustrations, by saying, “Spent a lot of time on the waitin' list / Roll up the
doja then blaze that shit / Who gonna
give you lovin' the same as this?. “
"Exchange"
"For However Long"
“Running through 'em, looking for a down bitch / It's like
looking for them hitters on SoundClick/ Hoping someone else ain't already
killed it / Wait up, for real, you exclusive? I found it.” These four lines
summarize the whole song. Like looking for free beats that haven’t been used,
he wants a girl who hasn’t been out there with everyone else.
"Don’t"
“Don’t” was the biggest hit of this album. It ventures off
from the usual chorus, bridge, or hook and instead is more like a freestyle
love song. Tiller shows off how he’s just being honest and emotional, and how
his lyrics touch the soul. This track shows Tiller trying to catch a girl whose
previous lover broke her heart.
"Open Interlude"
One this track Tiller is telling the girl that he’s ready
for her to be open, but he’s not even good at being open. This track is about
someone who finally let their guard down. “I been waitin', but time's up
/ You ain't look me in the eye once.”
"Ten Nine Fourteen"
October 9, 2014, is the date that Tiller dropped “Don’t” on Spotify.
This track is about how his life has changed. That week, “Don’t” got almost
50,000 plays, and by the end of the month, Tiller was on the phone with
Timbaland ready to start recording this album.
"The Sequence"
This is track has another sappy vibe, where Tiller is saying
he deserves another chance. More importantly, he says wouldn’t give her another
chance if she cheated on him. This track shows how guys can cheat on their girl
plenty of times and expect another chance, but even if she posts a picture with
another guy, she doesn’t get another chance.
"Rambo"
This beat is probably the second hardest on the album. The
pianos on this track are way too good. This track is more rhyme heavy, and is
more rapping than singing. This track reminds me of guerrilla warfare, complete
with the Rambo reference.
"502 Come Up"
This is undoubtedly the hardest track on the album. A year
ago, Tiller was sleeping in his car and waking up at 3 AM for work. Now, he has
a platinum album, and wakes up in a nice home every day to sing as a job.
Tiller compares himself to D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers and Devante Parker of
the Miami Dolphins, who both grew up in Louisville and are around the same age
as Tiller.
"Sorry Not Sorry"
The beat on this track is phenomenal. The special effects on
the track come from the game “Street Fighter 2,” so props to the producers. He
sings in a kind of lethargic way on this track, reminding me of R&B singers
in the early 2000’s.
“Been That Way”, “Overtime”,
and “Right My Wrongs”
The last three tracks on this album blend together. They’re
Tiller’s last words to the girl he loves. These last three tracks bring out his
inner emotions, and summarize the album as a whole. These three tracks are
gentle, honest, and smooth to the ears. “Been That Way” has a mellow beat
matched with emphasized drums that captivates the ears. “Overtime” serves as a
bridge between “Been That Way” and “Right My Wrongs.” The closer of the album, “Right
My Wrongs,” sounds like a more traditional R&B style, and this might be the
best track lyrically.
Overall Impression: 8.5/10
Top 5 Tracks
1.
“Don’t”
2.
“Open
Interlude”
3.
“Rambo”
4.
“Sorry
Not Sorry”
5.
“Right
My Wrongs”
