Every year most North Americans set our clocks back an hour in the fall to get more daylight during the winter months, and as a result, that first day of daylight savings time really feels nice. But then it really hurts in the summer when you lose an hour.

What a stupid practice. It doesn’t benefit everyone, and we all know it isn’t real. For centuries, we would just accept that when it got dark out it was time to go to bed and when it was lighter for longer periods, we would work and play for longer.

Which leads me to this week’s album review.

 

 

G-Eazy – When It’s Dark Out
released December 4, 2015
***** 5/10

Gerald Earl Gillum, known professionally as G-Eazy, is an American hip hop artist and producer. Signed to RCA records since 2014, he has now released two studio albums for that label.

I’ll start the review off with this anecdote. I was not expecting to review another white indie rapper so soon off the heels of MGK. But that is one of the perks of writing reviews on music I am either less familiar with or have no background on.

I haven’t listen to his debut album, but judging from the reviews and feedback out there, this is an improvement over his first effort.

Because hip-hop is founded in heavy cultural roots of south bronx african american youth, it always comes down to honesty and earnestness. Personal stories of whatever kind whether it’s hardship or success. This is something which I think we sometimes forget now that hip hop has exploded and now become the most listened-to genre of music globally.

Does G-Eazy prove he understands this on When It’s Dark Out?

I think so.

But I’m a little hesitant with that statement.

I think he really is telling us how hard it has been for him to become successful, and I think he has faced challenges with relationships, and I think he wants to have fun.

But I don’t know how compelling it is.

Don’t get me wrong, it can be fun to listen to, because the lyrics can be interesting at times, and the production value is super high. Which is a testament to the costs spent on making this album happen. But as G-Eazy says so himself

“The sophomore album is one of the most treacherous obstacles for any rapper… I dug as deep as I could until I was literally drained of inspiration.”

I just don’t think that inspiration he exerted makes this album one that we are going to remember. Because his stories are not meaningful enough. He looks confident and has an interesting wardrobe, but this is one of those cases where fake it till you make it might have worked more in his favour.

Some of the more interesting tracks are Random, One of Them, Sad Boy, and Everything Will Be OK.

There are a couple of music video for Me, Myself & I and You Got Me which I think will visually help demonstrate the confidence, image, and where the music doesn’t quite say anything.

At the end of the day, this one wasn’t really for me, but who knows, he may improve even more on his next record and start implementing thoughtful lyrics. When that happens, watch out.

 

 

 

When It’s Dark Out reminds me of daylights saving time, we are trying to simulate music now that is very specific and culturally significant. Sure you can move the clocks forward and backward and the daytime still exists, but we know better. This is just retailers dream.

Tim!