A$AP Rocky, Testing | Album Review 💿

Truly a ‘test,’ A$AP Rocky delivers some great moments as well as many overambitious and arduous ones on his third studio album, Testing.

Testing…1,2,3… testing…1,2,3…  Just seemed an appropriate way to start off the album review for Testing, the third studio album by 29-year old NY rapper, A$AP Rocky.  Up until this point, Rocky has been on fire, scoring two no. 1 albums with Long. Live. A$AP and At. Long. Last. A$AP.  Both of those projects were also strong albums in my opinion.  As for Testing, like many headlines and reviews have suggested, Rocky truly is “testing” the audience and pushing boundaries.  This is by far his most experimental album.  While Testing has some great moments, at times, the overambitious rapper ‘gets in his own way.’

“Distorted Records”

“I don’t feel a thing, I can feel the bass, I can feel the bass.” A$AP Rocky kicks off his ambitious trip with “Distorted Records,” where he (1) characterizes the distortion and (2) brags about himself.  There are a couple of memorable lines that paint over the distorted backdrop: “My newest president an asshole / I guess that’s why I’m leaving turd stains.” Ok then…

Testing gets the remixed version of “A$AP Forever” as opposed to the original.  Remix or not, “A$AP Forever Remix” still heavily samples Moby (“Porcelain”). With the help of T.I., A$AP Rocky shouts out to the gang, revealing at least some of the record’s cards. A$AP Rocky delivers a respectable rhythmic flow on the first verse, rapping over the Moby strings and a hard-nosed, stomping beat.  In addition to appearances by Moby and T.I., Kid Cudi drops a verse that fits perfectly over the backdrop.  The uncredited Khloe Anna appears on the bridge and outro. Rocky doesn’t serve up much substance, but “A$AP Forever Remix” is an interesting and quirky listen.

“Tony Tone”  

“Tony Tone” follows, featuring uncredited vocals by Puff Daddy – go figure.  The sound is East Coast through and through, with the dusty, old-school drum programming and biting rhymes from Rocky. A perfect example of the bite is the unapologetic hook: “I could give a fuck about a list, ya heard?”  Keeping things blunt, the rapper says “Fukk Sleep,” among a number of other things, including home, the police, enemies, and fake homies.  Naturally, “Fukk Sleep” has a hypnotic, woozy quality, further accentuated by a guest appearance by FKA Twigs.  It’s low-key and a bit odd, but one of the more interesting records from Testing.

“Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” gives A$AP Rocky a much-needed ‘banger.’ He raps capably over banging percussion and fluty synths.  While Rocky is on fire, Skepta gets the best part of the record – the hook:

“I came, I saw, I came, I saw
I praise the Lord, then break, the law
I take, what’s mine, then take, some more
It rains, it pours, it rains, it pours.”

In addition to delivering the crowning achievement, Skepta also gets his own verse, as well as collaborating on the third verse with Rocky.

“CALLDROPS”

While the first five tracks from Testing have their quirks, they’re not ‘too far gone.’ “CALLDROPS” is bizarre.  Notably, it features a verse from Kodak Black, recorded via collect call from prison.  The quality of the call is shoddy, and coupled with Black’s distinct, polarizing style, doesn’t produce triumphant results.  “Buckshots” is definitely a step-up, finding A$AP Rocky rapping about guns.  He also manages to reference Fort Knox, Fortnite, and brags, “And all my bitches got butt shots.” Continuing with some uncredited guest spots, Playboi Carti and Smooky MarGielaa make appearances.

Juicy J appears on “Gunz N Butter,” which brilliantly uses samples, creating quite the – wait for it – vibe.  Sound and vibe supplant the rhymes, which aren’t profound, but it’s something.  “Brotha Man” follows, finding Rocky rapping over lush, smooth, and soulful production.  Like “Gunz N Butter,” the sound and vibe of the record is the main attraction.  In addition to a low-key, credited hook by French Montana, Snoop Dogg and Frank Ocean contribute, uncredited.   The takeaway from both “Gunz N Butter” and “Brotha Man” is some fantastic ear candy, but the rhymes aren’t truly noteworthy.

“OG Beeper”

“OG Beeper” has a similar effect as the aforementioned “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” – it’s a banger that arrives in the nick of time.  A$AP Rocky drops entertaining bars over a minor-key backdrop.  He’s not meaningful, but he’s fired up.  #Win.  He’s more experimental on the more mellow “Kids Turned Out Fine,” singing over a modulating sample.  He does drop some bars:

“Adderall and alcohol
The teachers called, the doctor called
The block too hot, the marshal called
See ‘em grow and watch ‘em crawl.”

Thug Life is sampled on “Hun43rd,” serving up a compelling intro (“From the cradle to the grave, I’ma put in work”). A$AP Rocky also offers up a more inviting, traditional flow.

“Hold up, roll up, burn out, couple minutes saved
Kept a pre-paid on my hip them days, 143rd in front on Minisink
Cam’ron had us wearing pink, from the cradle to the grave
Putting work, hustle round the corner where my nana stay…”

Keeping things somewhat experimental, elements of the production are surprising, not to mention an unlikely collaboration with Dev Hynes whose vocals go uncredited.

“Changes”

“Changes” indeed features changes – in production throughout.  This is an ambitious three-part song that cross north of the five-minute mark.  There’s some fine ideas and things that bode well in A$AP Rocky’s favor, but at this point of the album, Testing has been such a tough one this requires a lot of the listener. Penultimate cut “Black Tux, White Collar” is south of three-minutes, a stark difference from “Changes.” It’s more accessible, but don’t call it a three-point jumper – maybe not even a long-two. Frank Ocean is credited on “Purity,” which might’ve played out better had it not appeared at the end of a 52-minute album that feels longer.

 Final Thoughts

Cutting straight to the chase, I personally don’t consider Testing to be an outright, bad album.  A$AP Rocky has some terrific moments, and he deserves credits for willingness to experiment and push boundaries.  The main problem is, Testing isn’t perfectly realized.  Many albums aren’t perfectly executed or realized, but here, Rocky’s expectations for his audience are entirely too high. In other words, he overindulges in his concepts and experimentation and it makes it difficult to truly ‘get into’ this album or his headspace.  To reiterate, Testing has its moments, but it’s a truly demanding listening experience.

Gems: “A$AP Forever Remix,” “Tony Tone,” “Praise the Lord (Da Shine),” “OG Beeper” & “Hun43rd”

A$AP Rocky • Testing • RCA • Release: 5.25.18

Photo Credit: RCA