Despite throwing in a couple of features, Russ delivers an underwhelming sophomore LP with ‘Zoo,’ which is devoid of innovative spirit.

If you let Russ tell it, the world hates him.  It’s at least partially true – the rapper, singer, and producer is a hip-hop ‘do-it-all,’ yet, has his fair share of skeptics.  On the other hand, he’s also experienced some success, so, not everybody is against him.  After all, There’s Really a Wolf  was ultimately certified platinum. He tries his hand at another platinum album with his sophomore album, ZOO.  Unfortunately, he underwhelms.

“The Flute Song”

“I do whatever I want, whenever I want, I love it / People keep talkin’, I just keep winning / I’m just like ‘f**k it’.” Arguably, ZOO kicks off in suspect fashion with “The Flute Song”. Essentially, the two-and-a-half-minute ‘flute’ feature feels a bit played out – how many more rappers are going to obsess about the woodwind instrument? As usual, Russ is confident to the nth degree, using this joint as a flex-fest. He exhibits an agile flow, oscillating between straight rhymes and pop-rap, which works out okay. The chorus is relatively catchy and definitely carefree. Even so, the rub is that Russ says nothing new or particularly dynamic.

Arguably, “Outlaw” packs a bit more punch than “The Flute Song.”  The production is solid, while Russ delivers a respectable flow.  Furthermore, the hook is catchy, if ‘more of the same’ compared to “The Flute Song” preceding it.

“I’m an outlaw

I do my thing and talk my shit and run my mouth off

I never really ever gave a f**k about y’all

I got a lot of hits left like a southpaw

Without y’all.”

One has to roll their eyes as Russ feels himself on the intro of “Kill Them All” (“This beat is crazy, shout out to me… and little clickbait-ass journalists and shit, y’all can suck my dick”).  Sigh. To his credit, “Kill Them All” is one of the better moments of ZOO.  Again, the flow works in his favor, and while the production keeps things simple, it is pretty sweet.

“Missin’ You Crazy”

“Missin’ You Crazy” sort of ‘is what it is.’ Essentially, Russ doesn’t embrace the element of surprise, opting for predictability rather any sense of innovative spirit.  This is the melodic, R&B-infused joint of ZOO.  It’s soulful enough, but not game changing and arguably, a bit annoying. He keeps the urban contemporary vibes on “Voicemail,” which thrives off its dusty drums and slick guitar.  Less melodic than “Missin’ You Crazy,” there are bars on the verses, while the simple chorus is sung. “Parkstone Drive” has more authenticity compared to many records that precede it.  Russ sings about family and his life candidly, something that ZOO was missing.  Notably, it samples a Sting record, “Shape of my Heart.”

The chorus of “Begging You” definitely didn’t require much thought – “Take all my pain away… Don’t give it back, I’m beggin’ you.” C’mon Russ! Making “Begging You” worse are the annoying pitch-shifted vocals, not to mention the cringe-worthy accents and ad-libs incorporated into his rhymes.  This is a record that didn’t tickle my fancy upon a first listen, and that continues to be the case after successive listens. UGH!

“Serious”

On “Serious”, Russ opts for singing instead of rap. “Serious” isn’t even pop-rap for the most part, its urban contemporary.  It benefits from its smooth, rhythmic production, idiomatic of R&B a la 2018.  Like his production work, he keeps it silky smooth throughout the course of the record, only slightly nodding to pop-rap on the third verse.  He still manages to be profane, such as on the second verse where he sings, “I still f**k you, you still kiss me / That all you resent me for.” Pretty basic. The chorus is also basic and simplistic to the nth degree.  Even so, it’s definitely effective.  All you need to know is, “Baby take me serious.”

On “Keep My Wits,” the production is effective, with Russ riding his beat soundly. The chorus is simple, and very familiar – people hate him, he’s rich and successful, and he keeps the same circle he’s always had… Moving on. “Maybe it’s not our time / You got your life, I got mine.” “Our Time” is a melodic, rap love song – “been there, done that.” As for “From a Distance,” it continues in the love vain as Russ sings about a girl he wants but can’t have because he “just got famous.” Nonetheless, “I f**k with you from a distance.” Poetic…

“Last Forever”

ZOO features something that Russ stated he doesn’t do – features.  After There’s Really a Wolf lacked any features, ZOO adds three featured guests.  Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg appear on the luxurious, easy-going “Last Forever.”  While it’s not the ‘record of the year,’ “Last Forever” is among the better records from ZOO. Penultimate record “Keep it Pushin’” adds the only other featured guest, Mahalia.  The English singer/songwriter is a perfect fit for this melodic slow jam, which has an argument for the best of the bunch.  Russ closes things out profanely with “F**k That,” which finds the rapper playing the victim… AGAIN!

“They want me to shut the f**k up, f**k that

They want my talent, my nuts tucked, f**k that

They’re tryna get me to hate me, f**k that

‘Cause y’all can’t ever ever play me, f**k that.”

Final Thoughts

So, how does ZOO stack up? Um… it’s a boring, so-so affair.  Sure, there are some moments, but there’s very little to get excited about while listening.  It starts out so-so with “The Flute Song,” and it end’s so-so with “F**k That.” Besides the lack of any big-time hits, there’s a lack of innovative spirit, making it hard for there to be any distinction regarding this project.  Fans may eat up, but as for everybody else, ZOO feels underwhelming.

Gems: “Outlaw,” “Kill Them All,” “Last Forever” & “Keep It Pushin’”   

Russ • ZOO • Columbia • Release: 9.7.18

Photo Credit: Columbia