After four long years, Lupe Fiasco has finally graced listeners with what they’ve been yearning for, and the excitement and anticipation surrounding his third album, Lasers, has been tangible. After an incredible freshman album and some good tracks on his sophomore effort, critics hope this album will fortify or end the intrigue that is Lupe Fiasco. With well received singles like “Words I Never Said” and “Show Goes On,” the scene was set, but did he deliver?
Well…yes and no. The album is reminiscent of Lupe’s previous work with witty lyricism and politically relevant songs that inspire along with breaking the mold. Yet a sense of discontent and anger toward the powers that be seems more apparent than his previous albums. “Words I Never Said” notably drips with intellectual commentary on everything from the education system and the Gaza Strip to crooked banks and the bail out. In other words, no one, from Glenn Beck to President Obama, is safe. Skylar Grey’s vocals make the fast flow and heavy topics a bit easier to swallow with a Lincoln Park-esque chorus line.
Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, the Chicago native has always been incredibly honest describing how he feels about the world and everyone in it. “State Run Radio” cements his feelings on the commercialism and unoriginality of many current artists. This track, one of the most personal on the album, touches on the issues Lupe had during production with his record label. It’s no secret that strife between the artist and Atlantic records delayed Lasers’ release in an effort to push Lupe towards more commercial work. Though he obviously stuck to his guns on certain tracks, we can definitely hear the poppy influences of radio on songs like “Show Goes On.” On the other hand, there are no valid complaints about “All Black Everything,” “Till I Get There,” “Beautiful Lasers,” and “Never Forget You.” These tracks tap into what attracted people to Lupe’s first track, “Kick Push:” an incredible smoothness and facilitate easy listening.
The album’s strength comes from the Chicago style of hip-hop that Lupe has perfected. The Chicago style, sometimes referred to as “hipster rap” or “alternative hip hop,” relies on lyricism and a sick flow the listener can understand. There’s no need for gimmicky hooks or Billboard Top bridges. All that’s needed is coherence and a beat that can’t help but invite an infectious head bob. When he strays from this style unfortunately, he’s not at his best and songs with Trey Songz don’t exactly help.
Whether a fan of the album or not, no one can deny that Lupe is a welcome break from everything else on the radio. His subject matter alone separates him from the oh-so-catchy college rap artists out right now. Lupe can relate to a young audience without a sick dance beat and the originality is valuable. Not every track on this album is a hit, but when it is, the track is a homerun. These days, especially when it comes to the dwindling quality of real hip hop reminiscent of “Illmatic” and Mos Def, we’ll take what we can get. So if you’re looking for a change from “G6,” “Teenage Dream,” or “Smangin,” you’ve come to the right place and “Lasers” will not disappoint.