XXXTENTACION returns with another brief, eclectic effort, ‘? ’.  The album is ‘all over the place,’ but has its fair share of moments.

20-year-old rapper Jahseh Onfroy, better known as XXXTENTACION, is back. The unapologetic rapper, once known for “Look at Me!”, returned with two much tamer singles in 2018 – “SAD!” and “Changes.” Those two singles signaled a new project (or however he classifies), ?, which definitely raises plenty of questions while listening. The album is ‘all over the place,’ but has its fair share of moments.

“ALONE, PART 3”

XXXTENTACION commences ? with “Introduction (instructions).” Literally, that’s what it is – instructions for listening to the album.  Ultimately, it’s quite odd. “ALONE, PART 3,” which is accompanied by acoustic guitar, finds XXXTENTACION singing about a bad relationship. Eventually, the production expands, incorporating drums, bass, and keyboard (synths).  “Moonlight” follows, with sleeker, more modern production. Here, there is more pop-rap initially, before XXX fully embraces singing once more.  Only slightly longer than “ALONE, PART 3,” the listener is given little more than two minutes of song.

“SAD!”

Standout “SAD!” keeps things ‘short and sweet,’ clocking in at 2:47. The production is moody and mysterious initially, gradually adding more details. The smoothness and vibe of the musical backdrop is a major selling point of “SAD!” During this verse, he shares his feelings of brokenhearted-ness. Following a 25 second intro, XXXTENTACION unveils the chorus:

“Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh

You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah)

Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh

I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah.”

Beyond the chorus, there’s only one verse.

“I gave her everything

She took my heart and left me lonely

I’ve been broken, heart’s contentious

I won’t fix, I’d rather weep…”

XXXTENACION clearly articulates his point, but it would be nice to hear him expound more.

“The remedy for a broken heart (why am I so in love)” provides more song than most, and finds the rapper actually rapping with agility.  Once more, guitar is in the mix.  The main rub with this song, and much of ?, is the songs don’t feel fully developed, even if there are some respectable ideas. “Floor 555” contrasts the kinder, gentler “The remedy…” with boisterous, hard-nosed production, and equally tough rhymes.  If XXXTENACION has been restrained up until this point, that’s not the case on this one-minute-and-a-half joint.

“NUMB”

“NUMB” contrasts, with more pop-rock sensibilities. Among key features of the production are the driving bass line, pummeling drums, and biting guitars.  The vibe is everything here.  Also, unlike some cuts, we get a full-length, three-minute-plus song. Follow-up “infinity (888)” falls just short of three minutes.  More importantly, there are straight, electrifying rhymes, assisted by underrated rapper Joey Bada$$.  The jazzy, soulful production is a treat.  So is the hook.

After “NUMB” and “infinity (888),” ? goes relatively brief again.  Stylistically, things are ‘all over the map.’ “Going down!” is a mix between  hip-hop and urban contemporary.  “Pain = BESTFRIEND” brings Travis Barker into the mix, and employs more of a pop/rock/punk sound.  Naturally, it’s wild.  Then, “$$$,” featuring Matt Ox, returns XXXTENTACION back to rap.  The sung hook lands somewhere between annoying and catchy.  PnB Rock joins for the brief, but ‘enjoyable enough’ “SMASH!”  Again, there’s not much material.  The Latin vibes of “I don’t even speak Spanish lol” are nice, but like so much the album seems to “come out of the blue.” XXXTENTACION is assisted by Rio Santana, Judah, and Carlos Andrez.

“Changes” 

“Changes” opens with moody, minimal piano. Once more, XXXTENTACION serves up reflective singing on the chorus, the major section of this record.

“Mmm, baby, I don’t understand this

You’re changing, I can’t stand it

My heart can’t take this damage

And the way I feel, can’t stand it…”

A bridge follows, performed by PnB Rock, that’s even simpler than the chorus (“Girl, you’re making it hard for me”). Other notable elements of “Changes” are the addition of vocal harmony, as well as strings. In a minimal record such as this one, a few additional vocals and instruments go a long way. Three sub-two-minute songs conclude this 37-minute album (“Hope,” “schizophrenia,” and “before I close my eyes”).  Maybe the most unique of the closing trio is the fittingly titled “schizophrenia.” It’s intense to say the least…

Final Thoughts

After experiencing my first XXXTENTACION project, I can safely say that he’s an interesting dude.  While ? is ‘all over the place,’ I can appreciate his eclecticism, as well as some of his ideas.  The main issue is cohesiveness.  What is the replay value of this effort personally? Minimal.

Gems: “SAD!”, “NUMB,” “infinity (888)” & “Changes” 

XXXTENTACION • ? • Bad Vibes Forever • Release: 3.16.18 

Photo Credit: Bad Vibes Forever