By Jamil Oakford/editor-in-chief
Progress and diligence seem to be the spirit Big Sean channels for his latest album Dark Sky Paradise.
With a whole list of personal and professional accomplishments, this album was a highly anticipated follow-up to his last album Hall of Fame. And Big Sean lives up to the hype circling his latest release.
Starting with an ominous chord progression and thunderstorm, “Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)” is a word-heavy anthem for anyone who’s ever struggled. With lyrics that throw back to his days in Detroit, he uses his signature style to retell his story of struggle and has found a way to make it universal.
Big Sean bows to the modern hip-hop convention of trying to remain humble to counteract all the bragging with the track “Blessings.” Between him and the featured artist Drake, it’s hard to tell who is more blessed.
There are some truly inspiring moments on the album, at least production-wise. The best example is the single “I Don’t F–k With You.” Starting off with a nice ’70s soul vibe, Big Sean psyches the listener out nearly 25 seconds in with a more modern hip-hop beat and proceeds to voice all ill feelings on a past girlfriend.
While Big Sean has progressed with his sound, preaching his diligence with almost each song, he still has some failure with his punch lines. Most notable is “Blessings” when Big Sean proudly states, “I guess when your stars align, you do like the solar system and plan it out.” Groan-worthy at best, but this is progress for an artist who hasn’t hit his stride yet.
But warning: He’s pretty close with this album. This album is already on track to be Big Sean’s first No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
The album as a whole is good. It shows great growth for Big Sean as an artist as he fleshes out thoughts and feelings over the last couple of years. This is a more serious album for him as well.
Some of the most noteworthy tracks on the album include “One Man Can Change the World,” a ballad wishing someone the best featuring Kanye West and John Legend, “I Know,” a collaboration with Jhené Aiko, and “Paradise.”
