When it comes to debut albums, few young Hip-Hop artists in recent memory have offered up as substantive and compelling a project as 2019’s The Lost Boy. Diverse, complex, smooth, and well paced, Cordae’s first solo major-label release surprised me pleasantly and thoroughly.
On Just Until…, his newly released four track EP, Cordae blew my expectations out of the water. In just four tracks, Cordae shows impressive capability; his singing, vocal runs, production choices, flow, delivery, and clarity have improved handily since his last record, as has his lyricism.
The opener, “More Life,” features guest vocals from New York legend Q-Tip and crisp rapping from Cordae. Lyrically, Cordae is on top of his game on this track, with speedy, multisyllabic, hard-hitting bars.
But honestly, what is we doing it for?
My happiness, I’m still pursuing the source
Laid my life over these lucrative scores
Document struggles that we choose to endure
And they wonder why the young n****s looting the stores
The second track, “Dream in Color,” features Cordae’s singing voice on the chorus with more impeccable rapping and solid lyricism. The production on this track is brilliant as well, with shimmery vocal samples over a synth chord instrumental.
Track three was a big highlight for me. Atlanta legend Young Thug trades bars with Cordae over a sinister instrumental from New York production duo Take a Daytrip. Young Thug’s braggadocio and vocal eccentrism pairs well with Cordae’s straight-up, technical flow.
On the ultimate track, “Thornton Street,” Cordae gets introspective about his upbringing. Speaking directly to his mother about how his career began and referencing his contemporaries and influences, Cordae reflects on his success and looks forward to the future. The energy of this song is relaxed but optimistic, and it serves as an excellent end to this project, leaving me looking forward to Cordae’s next release.
8/10
MOOSE PRINTS 