Los Angeles-based boyband BROCKHAMPTON returns with “1998 TRUMAN,” their second single of 2018 following “1999 WILDFIRE.”

Ascending Texas-formed, LA-based boyband BROCKHAMPTON certainly have a way with song titles…understatement.  Through their Saturation phase, most of the songs were composed of only one word.  In 2018, fans of the collective are at least adding a year to the single titles… After returning strong (sans Ameer Vann) on “1999 WILDFIRE”, they maintain the strength and allure on “1998 TRUMAN.”

Jim Jones has the ability to stir a buzz both alive and dead – how scary is that? Anyways, the infamous false prophet is sampled at the beginning of the record, preaching his cultish, anti-government message.  Yeah, Jones was a bad man, but the production work that accompanies his total BS is pretty sick.  Also, he sets the tone of IDGAF what others think that dominates “1998 TRUMAN.” Merlyn Wood starts off the BROCKHAMPTON portion of the record brilliantly with an aggressive, biting hook: “Gimme no drugs, lend me some love / Tonight, while I’m in this club / Lonely as f**k, with my thugs / And we looking for that buzz.”

Joba drops the first verse, pop-rapping about becoming successful despite the skeptics. “Truth is, you can kiss my ass.” Okay.  Following Wood’s chorus, Kevin Abstract delivers a brief bridge that recurs throughout the record – “Don’t talk back, don’t talk back, boy, don’t.” Aggressive…  Matt Champion arrives for the second verse, continuing to embody the spirit of not giving a what – “Why do I care how I look? / Why do I care what they say?” Dom McLennon makes a couple of political references on the third verse, with the best being, “I’m dreaming of making moves like the government / You better think about who you f**king with, get back.” Bearface gets in on the action on the fourth verse, where the entire vibe changes. Kevin Abstract closes out with a dramatic outro.

Final Thoughts 

Losing a key part member is never easy, but BROCKHAMPTON are coping well so far.  “1999 WILDFIRE” was sweet, but “1998 TRUMAN” eclipses it easily.  It features excellent production, confident rhymes, and a little help from Jim Jones (as scary as that sounds)!

BROCKHAMPTON • 1998 TRUMAN – single • RCA • Release: 7.19.18

Photo Credit: RCA