BROCKHAMPTON, GINGER | Album Review

Hip-hop collective BROCKHAMPTOM returns strong with their fifth studio album, ‘GINGER,’ which arrives less than a year after iridescence.

According to Kevin Abstract, a key member of the ever-intriguing hip-hop collective BROCKHAMPTON, their fourth album, iridescence, “Didn’t get the reaction we wanted”. After debuting at no. 1 on the Billboard 200 with respectable numbers, iridescence took a free fall to no. 88. The good news is that BROCKHAMPTON return with a strong fifth studio album, GINGER.  The boys whetted listeners’ eager palates with the stellar advance singles “I Been Born Again”, “If You Pray Right”, “Boy Bye”, and “No Halo.” In addition to those gems, GINGER has plenty more standouts.

“No Halo” 

“I don’t know where I’m goin’ / If I gotta take the high road, I’m rollin’.” That’s the Kevin Abstract-helmed intro that commences the marvelous opener, and fourth advance single, ✓ “No Halo.”  Notably, “No Halo” has more of an alt R&B vibe, with a relatively mellow production.  The mellowness also seeps into the rhymes.  Matt Champion gets ‘first blood,’ rapping on the first verse about his ex. Merlyn Wood struggles on the second verse, asking, “Do I matter? I’m ecstatic, I’m depressed” and asserting, “Mmm, options, runnin’ out of options.” The other members also seem to be having their fair share of depression, with Dom McLennon smoking through the pain (verse three) and Joba drunkenly attending church (verse four). Bearface delivers a lovely bridge, while Deb Never guests alongside Merlyn Wood and Matt Champion on the chorus.

R&B was part of the script on “No Halo,” but it’s more prevalent on ✓ “Sugar,” which opens with a chorus performed by Ryan Beatty, with pitch-shifted vocals.  Following the old-school, relatively catchy chorus, Dom McLennon takes the reins on the first verse, making several references to religion, including God himself (“And we all out lookin’ for, lookin’ for God so we never see it in ourself”).  Matt Champion is reflective on the second verse, once more focusing on a relationship, with Bearface piggybacking on the pre-chorus, at least in regard to referencing love. Kevin Abstract takes a larger role here compared to “No Halo,” appearing on the bridge, before Bearface finishes things off on the outro, which asks, “Do you love me, love me, love me?”

“Boy Bye” 

Standout ✓ “Boy Bye” begins with production work that certainly doesn’t exemplify hip-hop.  Regardless, following the brief Merlyn Wood intro, the rest of BROCKHAMPTON get to work, spitting capably over the backdrop.  Dom McLennon is the first to ‘shoot his shot,’ referencing weed (“Breaking up botanical to ease my stressing”), Johnnie Cochran (“I go Johnnie Cochran when I’m raising my defenses”), and Michael Keaton via Birdman (“Man, I feel like Michael Keaton when a nigga start ascending”).  Matt Champion takes the reins on the second verse with his own share of colorful lines including “My shit bump like a belly when it’s pregnant,” as well as referencing Elmer Fudd and Mean Girls.  A third verse by Kevin Abstract, arrives prior to the chorus.  He references trauma, The Lion King, and sobriety.  The chorus that follows is random, but intriguing. Bearface, like Abstract, references trauma on the fourth verse: “Trauma the price of patience / Character shaped like an arc.” The outro, courtesy of Joba and Merlyn Wood, includes the titular lyric, “Boy, bye.”

The brief “Heaven Belongs to You” is performed by rapper slowthai, hence, it doesn’t feature the BROCKHAMPTON crew.  That said, it remains compelling, particularly because it is connected to “If You Pray Right” arriving after “St. Percy.” The crew gets back to work on “St. Percy,” and the swagger is real. It all starts with a confident Kevin Abstract rapping on the first verse.  Matt Champion is sexually charged on the second verse, closing with electrifying lines “She got strings all up the neck like a violin / I crave that chada-ching, when that venom sting / Eyes turn redder than a motherfuckin’ cherry stem.”  Bearface’s fourth verse is unique, referencing Master P (“That’s that ice cream, sugar, that cocaine throat”) and Michael Vick (“And my dogs, they bark, Michael Vick on fours”).

“If You Pray Right”

✓ “If You Pray Right” commences with a bang thanks to its unique, quirky production work, including ‘extraterrestrial’ synths.  The record samples the Three 6 Mafia joint, “Break Da Law ‘95’” from their 1995 album, Mystic Stylez.  Yeah, the production kicks total ass. Dom McLennon raps the first verse, over brassy synths, exhibiting his unique flow, including more religious references (“Hallelujah, holy lion, word to Judas”). Kevin Abstract follows, rapping the chorus. Once again, he references his sexuality, though not as explicitly as usual, referencing his ‘partner’ (“Hiding at my partner house…”).  He follows up with the post-chorus, which uniquely uses pitch-shifted vocals.

Matt Champion spits the brief second verse, with Merlyn Wood segueing with the third verse, with great contrast between the two rapper’s voices. Joba drops the fourth verse, with some layered pitch-shifted vocals, keeping things interesting (“At the door, bruh, Jehovah, you ho bitch / Witness sadistic shit, well, come again”). There is an instrumental break before the bridge section, lifting off the sample (“Break the law, break the law…”), while Kevin Abstract performs the outro, a complete shift from everything else that precedes. ‘Trippy’ would be a great way to describe it.  “If You Pray Right” is nothing short of compelling to the nth degree.

“Dearly Departed”

✓ “Dearly Departed” keeps the momentum going strong – truly lucky number seven on the track list.  Honestly, it’s among the best of the best.  Reflective to the nth degree, the biggest happening is how the band reference ex-member, Ameer Vann. Kevin Abstract asks on the first verse, “What’s the point of havin’ a best friend if you end up losin’ him?” Dom McLennon seems particularly angry, especially with the final two lines, “You could talk to God / I don’t wanna hear, motherfucker.” If one is looking for beauty beyond the production, the chorus, performed by Joba is quite beautiful: “Dearly departed / Look what you’ve started / I’ve been so heartless / I try, I try, I try / Why? / Why? / Why? / Try.” 

From the jump, ✓ “I Been Born Again” is nothing short of captivating.  The minimally produced cut begins with an intro courtesy of Bearface.  From there, Kevin Abstract drops a sick rap verse, kicked off with the line, “It’s better if I try not to talk about the shit that’s always on my mind.” Perhaps he avoids some of his most personal lines, but he does reference his parents and a prevalent topic, sexuality (“Mama in the south still, gold all in my mouth still / Rappin’ ‘bout dick still, and I lease a house still”).  Also, he alludes to the song title a couple of times, namely “Pullin’ triggers in the ‘Lac / Made ‘em pray, stay bad” and “Hope the good Lord catch this, I ain’t tellin’ backwards.”

Two unique verses follow by Merlyn Wood and Dom McLennon respectively.  Wood delivers a drippy verse that ends memorably: “She’s so bad, I let her touch my butt / Merlyn, what the fuck?” Dom is tough, playing up the ‘bad’ aspect of the record, asserting at the end, “Tell you basic bitches, ‘I know I’m a nuisance.’” Joba delivers the other lengthy verse, encompassing drugs, sex, individuality, and being proud of his Texan roots.  Like Abstract, he also references the spiritual aspect. Following a colorful bridge, Matt Champion hypes things up at the end on the outro: “S-s-send ‘em out the door / They ain’t knockin’ no more.”

“Ginger”

Title track ✓ “Ginger” remains left field – very much a BROCKHAMPTON record.  That said, there’s interestingly more of a commercial sensibility – a dash of pop.  This is still alternative hip-hop, but the chorus in particular is quite catchy, performed by Kevin Abstract.  Abstract also drops a compelling first verse, with Matt Champion segueing (“Tell me, goddamn, what God made me for? / I don’t even love no more / I don’t even trust no more…”).  Bearface may have the most unique sounding verse, with Dom and Bearface contrasting with an interlude.  GINGER continues to be quite the listening experience.  Abstract is heavily autotuned on “Big Boy,” specifically the first verse. Joba contrasts with a lack of vocals effects on the second verse, followed by a bridge.  The bridge provides a break before Bearface delivers the final verse of this energetic, passionate number.  Abstract concludes with the chorus, which appears three times throughout the course of “Big Boy.” 

Penultimate record “Love Me for Life” gets some sick production work, definitely characteristic of the modern hip-hop sound.  Notably, Joba delivers a beautifully sung second verse.  As lovely and mellow as it is, Merlyn Wood brings a third verse that’s turnt-up to the nth degree – it’s LIT to say the least.  Kevin Abstract performs the first verse, while Bearface appears on the closing refrain. “Victor Roberts” concludes GINGER featuring Victor Roberts, who is quite candid about the hardships in his life and his family. The narrative is followed by some beautiful singing by Ryan Beatty.  Perhaps my personal favorite line is, “Thank God for my bitches still sticking with me.” One BROCKHAMPTON member does appear on “Victor Roberts,” Bearface on the bridge (“And if you’re hurting, love yourself with my heart”).

Final Thoughts

Iridescence didn’t get the reaction BROCKHAMPTON wanted.  Will GINGER? Time will tell, but in regard to quality and overall execution, it’s a very strong well-rounded affair.  There’s plenty of introspection, superb rhymes and singing (even when effects-heavy), and the songs are all quite enjoyable.  All in all, a winner.

✓ Gems: “No Halo,” “Sugar,” “Boy Bye,” “If You Pray Right,” “Dearly Departed,” “I Been Born Again” & “Ginger”

BROCKHAMPTON • GINGER • Question Everything, Inc. / RCA • Release: 8.23.19

Photo Credits: Question Everything, Inc. / RCA