albert b. — No Good (2015)

A debut album by some talented guy named albert b — about young individual trying to figure out his way in the world. Washed out, perfectly melancholic beats coupled with spoken word almost ASMR lyrics. Came across it several years ago, rediscovered just recently.

Similarly to his British soulmate Lloyle Carner on his last LP, here albert b. is not waving, but drowning. Struggling with search for meaning in his life, weighing out the options, plain staying lost. On paper, this combination surely sounds depressing.

But the way albert b. portrays his emotions in these tracks, makes this deep space he invites us into feel cozy and comfortable. This record may bring one down, but also make him wish to stay there for as long as possible. Diving into the vibe, reflecting on your past and zoning out.

Last time I had something like that done to myself, was Earl’s “Some Rap Songs”. Besides Lloyle and Earl, albert b. surely reminds me of King Krule, Rejjie Snow and, I guess, every member of the Slums movement. Emotional, engaging, introspective.

Loving it. Highly recommend)

“I’m just tryna pay the rent
tryna make a dollar?
I’m just make some sense”

9/10

P.S.: according to albert b. Bandcamp page, he didn’t kill himself and has surprisingly made 4 more projects throughout the years. Latest one goes by the name “I Still Don’t Know Anything”, released in 2018.

Makes me think, maybe some of us can sorta thrive being lost. Maybe, not all of us are meant to figure it all out. But what u do realize, may turn out to be enough.

Cheers