August Alsina, The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy | Album Review 💿

On The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy, August Alsina consistently sounds incredible vocally, but his third album itself is far too long.

Disclaimer: There will be no discussions of ‘entanglements’ here. This is NOT the forum for the entanglement August Alsina and Jada Pinkett Smith had… But it is the place to evaluate the R&B artist’s first album in five years, The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy.  Honestly, as a musician, I really like August.  He has a great voice and he transforms the pain he’s experienced into quite a compelling soundtrack.  The same happens on his third studio album. The biggest rub is that it’s far too long.

“NOLA”

✓ “NOLA” sets the tone of The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy clearly, with August Alsina never sparing the details of his rough and tumble life.  He doesn’t try to mask or refine things, delivering a darkly, poetic tale in the vernacular.  On ✓ “Today,” he has no time to waste – “I ain’t certain they won’t put me in the ground today.” Essentially, he speaks of how he has people to look out for, and he can’t take any days off because nothing is promised.  Also, to provide further context, those who have been following him know he’s had his fair share of health issues, which further contributes to his ‘grind hard’ spirit.” On ✓ “Rounds,” he reps New Orleans and his other hometown, Houston.  He also references his days selling drugs. Three tracks in, The Product III is a gospel for the streets.  For good measure, “Rounds” features pitch shifted vocals, which certain complement the chopped-n-screwed hip-hop of H-Town.

“Fuck with no one who’s afraid of / Callin’ you out on your bullshit.” That, is indeed a prudent lesson Alsina highlights on the second verse of “Lessons.” As he reflects on what he’s learned, he still keeps it ‘street’ – there’s no softness about him. On “Sincerely,” he addresses his ‘children’ – his biological nieces of whom he’s the primary caregiver.  Clearly, he has a big responsibility to Chay and Amaya, and both girls are his world.

“Deliver Us”

Five songs in, there’s plenty to learn about August Alsina, and empathize with him.  ✓ “Deliver Us” definitely has more of a punch than “Sincerely,” bringing Darrel Walls (of The Walls Group) into the mix. It’s fitting, given the spiritual nature of the track where August was petitioning God for a way out. One of the surefire bangers of The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy follows with ✓ “RRR (Real Recognize Real).” Not that Alsina ever loses toughness, but “RRR” confirms he’s truly ‘a real one’ who isn’t on any bullshit.  Adding to the glory of “RRR” is a catchy chorus and sleek production work that fits perfectly in 2020, yet also has a pinch of old-school too (it’s those guitars).

“Fly Far” is escapist, looking toward not only a better life on earth, but potentially, heavenly aspirations.  The chorus is simple yet potent and telling: “Dear God, make me a bird / So I can fly far / Fly far / Far, far away from here.” “Feeling” slackens the pace and moves to matters of the heart.  August is conflicted about his relationship, consulting with a nameless confidante whom he thanks for listening to him “moanin’ and bitchin’ about my girlfriend.” As with everything else, Alsina puts his whole heart into these feelings.  He’s always been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, dating back to his Testimony days.

“Perfect Strangers”  

“Feeling” definitely shifts the narrative of The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy.  Follow-up “Perfect Strangers” continues to explore matters of the heart with August Alsina pursuing a hook up with, well, a perfect stranger.  Ultimately, this empty rendezvous “makes it easier when I’m leavin’ you.” “Pretty” is more thoughtful, as Alsina encourages and ‘queens’ a girl with plenty of baggage, yet she’s ‘pretty.’ “You were forged in the fire, raised by the city,” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “Thought you would give up no life, you never did / And you stay so pretty.” On “4Real,” a good, but not extraordinary cut, he reflects on discovering true love (“It took me some time to see it was for real”).

✓ “Work to Do” is a better rounded, frankly, more ‘expensive’ sounding song – it definitely sounds like a single. Cardiak and Tariq Beats give August Alsina one of the slickest backdrops of The Product III.  Furthermore, Alsina gives one of his best vocals, particularly blessing the listeners with a ripe falsetto. Matters of the heart continue on “Be Good,” respectably without swinging the pendulum you might say. ✓ “Soon as I Walk in” effectively and sexily remixes the Tink record, “Soon as U Walk In” from her 2019 album, Voicemails. Tink briefly appears on the remix, but essentially, it’s all August on this lush, slow jam which ends up being among the best moments of the album.

“Tonight”

✓ “Tonight,” the 16^th track from The Product III, is another one of the stronger moments, which is saying something on such a lengthy affair.  The Exclusives and Awaz Beatz provide sleek production work, idiomatic of contemporary R&B and modern hip-hop.  The beat bangs, August Alsina continues to show off his amazing pipes, singing about a very relatable three-letter word – “You ain’t know you dealin’ with a freak, babe.” The problem is, Alsina stays in this lane way too long, particularly after the early portion of the album incorporated a bit more of his pain and the street gospel. I say that to say that there’s nothing really wrong with a cut like “Longer,” but it ultimately doesn’t improve the trajectory of the album. Had it been cut, “Longer” wouldn’t necessarily be missed.  “Sleeve” isn’t ‘brand new,’ 18 tracks in, but is slightly catchier than “Longer” and characterizes the AA we’ve come to know – one who indeed “wear(s) [his] heart on [his] sleeve.”

On “Chase,” August Alsina admits he’s not ready for commitment – he “loves the chase.” He makes it clear that he feels some type of way about this girl, but he’s not at a place to fully appreciate her or treat her the way she should.  “I can’t handle handcuffs,” he sings on the second verse, continuing “I’ll go too far beyond this / I see too many pretty young things.” “Brakes” brings in only the third featured guest of The Product III, Yo Gotti.  Another HeroSavesTheWerld production, the sound suits the NOLA singer well.  He delivers a beautiful melody, singing confidently as he “ain’t stopping like I got no brakes.”  As for Gotti, the verse is pretty basic – I’d even go so far as to call it lame – particularly given the fact he is one of the few and biggest collaborators on the project.  The minor-key, malicious production and trap-infused vibes of “Broken Rollie” are definitely worth mentioning. August’s pop-rap approach is on-point.

“If We Broke Up”

After not being noticed on “Broken Rollie,” August gets hypothetical on “If We Broke Up,” informing us of all the things he’d do if they were no longer an item. One of the most memorable lines he offers up on the colorful record is, “I’ll be damned if the next nigga get to lay up in my shit / Kissin’ on my chick /All in the bed, fuckin’ in my fit.”  Facts! On “Ready,” once more, the sheer beauty of August’s instrument shines, as he sings about – wait for it – sex.  The game he spits is potent, as he’s ready to do it anytime, anywhere.  Is it a bit much? Yes, definitely – he’s hella horny. “Bossin Up” is a sleek, come-up anthem. The problem is, we’ve already heard this earlier, more effective. It’s okay mind you, but we don’t leave The Product III remembering this particular cut.

Like “Bossin Up,” ✓ “Party Til” finds August Alsina in unapologetic, flex mode.  It’s effective as a street, club joint, featuring signature production work courtesy of Mustard.  If the end of the album feels as if it drags a bit, “Party Til” is a banger that reignites the spark late. Penultimate cut  ✓ “Resent” is by far the biggest collaboration of the album, featuring both Lil Wayne and Juicy J. It also ends up being worth the wait – that’s saying something on this excessively long affair.  Lil Wayne goes TF off on the first verse, while August is smooth, yet potent on the second and third verses, as well as the choruses.  Juicy J brings it on home on the fourth and final verse, showcasing an agile flow and bringing ample aggressiveness. “Still Don’t Know” is a fitting closer as Alsina reflects on rough and tumble life, much like the beginning of the album did.

Final Thoughts

So, how does The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy stack up? What is clear from listening to the entirety of this album is that August Alsina is quite talented.  The dude absolutely sings his ass off.  Also, worth noting, when he sings and testifies about his hard knock experiences, that’s when he’s at his best. Some of the sex-related joints are also potent.  The big rub with The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy is that it’s north of 90 minutes and comprised of 27 songs.  It’s entirely too long.  For as many pros Alsina brings to the table, enduring such a lengthy album is a lot to ask of listeners, even in the streaming age.  Had this effort been an hour or less, it would’ve been more much more effective.  There’s still plenty to like and appreciate, it’s just far too long. 

✓ Gems: “NOLA,” “Today,” “Rounds,” “Deliver Us,” “RRR (Real Recognize Real),” “Work to Do,” “Soon as I Walk In,” “Tonight,” “Party Til” & “Resent”

August Alsina • The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy • Shake the World / EMPIRE • Release: 6.26.20

Photo Credits: Shake the World / EMPIRE