Music Album: Yeezus by Kanye West

The last few years has seen one of hip hop’s most dynamic artists flourish as seasoned producer and rapper. Within each year that Kanye West has released new material, he has managed to provide critically acclaimed body of work, which have also been commercially successful efforts. Over the years his professional and personal life have become a constant focus in the media which has led to negative results and has transformed this once cool, calm and collected rapper into an angry, outspoken force of unmatched creativity.

Yeezus is his follow-up solo effort since 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2011's Watch the Throne with Jay-Z and 2012's Cruel Summer - his collective effort with artists signed to his G.O.O.D music label. The new album sees the return of the edgy Kanye we experienced during the 808s & Heartbreaks era, only this time he is erratic, angry and probably too edgy for his own good.

In some ways the album is similar to 808' which has a lot to do with use of autotune amd electronic type of instrumentation, quite reminiscent of 'Robocop,' 'Heartless' and 'Love Lockdown'. The albums kicks off with the very distracting 'On Sight' in what seems to be an interpolation of two contrasting songs, before transitioning into the bouncy 'Black Skinhead' and though there is something a bit off putting about the title - it is not awful as it may sound, as the African drums give it a certain substance, while the album’s first single, ‘New Slaves’ also makes for an interesting listen. Though the album in its entirety makes for a dull listen, high points are achieved as evidenced on the patois influenced and sexually suggestive 'I'm In It', and the enigmatic 'Blood on the Leaves.'

One thing is for sure, this might be the rapper’s most lacklustre of all his albums, though he still manages to give us glimpses of the artistic genius that he is, the body of work he presents here is a prime example of what happens when you try to be too creative for your own good, coupled with the fact that he presents his emotions in a flawed and matter of fact disturbing manner - but if there is anyone that can redeem himself, it is most certainly Mr West – so bring on the next album.