Danny Brown
Old

Writing a review of "Old," the third album by Danny Brown, the follow-up to the acclaimed "XXX" which was released as a free download in 2011, is not easy. The album, composed of 19 tracks, is very peculiar. Peculiar is the soundscape, peculiar is Danny Brown's style, and very peculiar is the structure of the album itself. In these elements, the work, just like "XXX," presents itself as a piece of alternative rap where Danny Brown unleashes all his imagination, and in many tracks, I might even say madness.

Let's start analyzing the work by looking at the very structure of the album. It consists of 2 parts, both content-wise and stylistically. From the first to the tenth track, the album has a more classic, less crazy sound. In this section of "Old," Brown's lyrics stand out. They are all centered on life in the dangerous streets of Detroit, the poverty of his family, and dealing, the only way Danny had to survive. It's in this first part of the work that we realize how Danny Brown is a remarkable MC. While listening, we feel literally taken by Brown's hand and led directly into the streets of Detroit, faced with situations so well described by the rapper that, more than listening to an album, by closing our eyes (if we understand or have learned the lyrics), it will seem like watching a movie. Obviously, this happens thanks to Brown's storytelling ability, a skill I find in very few other MCs today, perhaps only in Kendrick Lamar. In his verses, Brown manages to paint a bleak picture of poverty and violence, and he doesn’t do it trivially like many others. Where many limit themselves to discussing a couple of shootings before returning to talk about how many cars they own, the Detroit storyteller delves deeper, examining the psyche of the characters he sings about and suffers... despite the success, women, and money, he suffers and, as he states in the fantastic "Torture," he can't even close his eyes without having nightmares. In this, Brown distinguishes himself from other MCs; he has not forgotten the impact of what he has seen, and for this reason, he can convey it so effectively. Musically speaking, the productions are well-crafted, although they do not particularly shine in this section where, as mentioned, the lyrics particularly stand out. They are mainly entrusted to Paul White.

The second part of the work goes from track number 11 to number 19, thus to the end of the album. The work is completely overturned, and the idea the listener formed about the album's atmosphere is wiped away in the track "Side B (Dope Song)." Brown decides it's time to have fun. Thus begins a succession of first-rate Club Bangers. The content disappears (now it's all about sex and drugs), but the style remains. Upon closer inspection, this second section is, musically, even more successful than the first. The musical backdrop laid by the producers (among whom Rustie, A-Trak, and SKYWLKR stand out in this section) is extremely cohesive and manages to lose the listener in a sea of powerful bass, kick drums, and snares.

Speaking of technique, Danny Brown is impeccable. In 19 tracks, we find a ton of flow, excellent storytelling, brilliant rhymes, and intricate metrics. Small note: in some songs, Brown uses a peculiar flow, also heavily modifying his voice; in these cases, you'll either love it or hate it to death. Among the features, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Asap Rocky stand out, all perfectly at ease in the album’s atmosphere.

In conclusion, "Old" is an excellent album, among the best in recent times. The duality of the work will be appreciated by both those who love club rap and those who love more serious rap, and it will drive crazy those who love both facets of this genre. Brown doesn't disappoint the expectations created in 2011 with "XXX" and pulls a hat trick with an album that consolidates his status in the Rap Game. Fully approved.

Rating: 8 out of 10