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"

Tiller seems to be venting on this song also. He sounds like vintage Drake on this track, and he effortlessly goes from singing to rapping. The sappy vibe of the beat, the high-pitches voices in the background, and just the unique sound of the track makes it one of the top 5 on the album.

"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”