Kanye dropped a new album last Friday. It’s called Ye. It was written and recorded in approximately 4 weeks after Kanye did the “Slavery is a Choice” TMZ interview, taking the place of an album he had been working on for the better part of a year (which he has apperantly fully scrapped). It’s raw, it’s short (21 minutes long, barely an album) its very personal.
Say what you will about Kanye, he’s good at two things.
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He creates great music. For a guy who doesn’t actually play any instruments this whole album has the feel of an improvised jam session caught on tape. It’s messy and there are mistakes (how are there mistakes when he is sampling? No clue. They have to be on purpose but…
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he let’s you directly into his head. You may well not like what you find, but you know exactly what is going on in Kanye’s mind when you listen to his music, and Ye puts you in the head of a person who is mentally ill and knows it, and can’t really do anything about it, which is effective.
I don’t know if I like it. I like parts of it. I’m not sure yet.
But, given how short it is its easy to listen to a lot and try to figure out how I feel. Easier than, for example, Yezzus was.
Anyone else give it a listen? What do you all think?
I will be back during the summer. I haven’t given up on my musical discovery, but I have been swamped lately and not listening as much. I am a teacher, June is busy, but I have summer soon and will be listening to music and can’t wait to hear this album.
That’s where I am. A few songs I really like (All Mine, Wouldn’t Leave, and No Mistakes) form a great core. But I’m not sure about the rest.
Ghost Town is really growing on me. Like a lot. For a song I was sort of meh on at first I might end up my favorite track. And Yikes is ok, but I like it less every time I hear it. Kind of a reverse Ghost Town.
But the opener I consistently skip at this point. It’s only good the once. Everyone else seems to like Violent Crimes more than I do.
The whole thing fails to stick with me though. Even when I listen to a track and think “oh, this is pretty good” nothing gets under my skin. It’s… Good? It’s fine. It’s clearly not bad. But I’m really surprised that I’m having such a lukewarm reaction to the whole thing.
You are totally right about the first track “I Thought About Killing You”. Utterly forgettable. “All Mine” keeps grabbing me every time.
Dang. Kids See Ghosts dropped and… I really like it. Makes me realize how unfinished ye feels.
Wait, more Ye music already? What is this the next level of the Life of Pablo’s Saint Pablo strategy? Maybe they can combine all of these and make them into one album? 
I know? He’s suppose to be dropping a Nas album he produced in the next couple of weeks too.
You ain’t kidding about Kids See Ghosts! I think it’s fantastic! And I forgot Kanye produced Daytona for Pusha T as well. With this and the Nas album it’s an amazing summer for Kanye music!
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Well, most people don’t seem that interested but I think I have decided that I don’t really like Ye. I get why some do, but it doesn’t work for me.
I really really like Kids see Ghosts though.
And the Nas Album- Nasir, is supposed to drop today.