Black Milk: Album of The Year

There is something in the water in Detroit that Black Milk and his peers are sipping at a rapid rate. It’s some type of concoction filled with creativity, impeccable instincts, and a hell of a lot of charisma because Detroit currently holds the crown and show no signs of releasing it anytime soon.

It’s been almost two years since Milk’s last album, Tronic, but he never really gave us a chance to miss him. With production credits with eLZhi, KRS-One and Buckshot, amongst others, Black Milk has remained a constant. But this time, he grabbed his own musical canvas and lyrical brush for Album Of The Year, which has the potential to live up to its name, or at least come close.

The album opens with “365” in which Milk gets introspective. From Baatin passing away to the loss of his aunt, Milk shows his vulnerable side without getting too lost in his emotions. Although the subject matter is somber, the beat is triumphant. The drums are clumsy with background effects that sound like a cross between a shooting star and one of the laser guns from Contra. Milk extends himself even further on “Distortion” featuring Melanie Rutherford with insight on his trials and tribulations over the past year over a cinematic beat that fuel the story he tells.

“Welcome (Gotta Go)” is as coarse as sandpaper and brings forth a good amount of thump while the cymbals and drums completely shine on “Keep Going” and “Oh Girl” featuring AB. Both tracks also sound like they were recorded with a live band in a garage that have an acoustic sound that is as organic and firm fitting.

“Deadly Medley” featuring Royce Da 5’9” and eLZhi is just that. The production has an intensity that works perfectly behind two of Detroit’s finest that Milk stands alongside of quite well. However, he fails to do so on “Black and Brown” featuring Danny Brown, who steals this show. “Round Of Applause” is misplaced, while “Gospel Psychedelic Rock” is 3 minutes of insanity that is well worth the listen.

What stands out the most on Album Of The Year is the production. Milk plays the role of the Hip Hop conductor very well, which will put him at the forefront of the producer’s pool. He uses the same formula on his production, which can run together at times, but this will define him as a producer training our ears on what to expect.

The beats play an integral part but don’t completely carry the album as Milk’s lyrics have improved since his last effort. His lyrics are okay but he just isn’t “there” yet. Sometimes his delivery sounds forced as if he is battling against the mic as opposed to working with it. And he just spits straight bars that can get dull at times. There is also a bit of redundancy in his rhymes because he stays on the same subjects. This wouldn’t be an issue if he brought more of a creative element to the same ole tales but he doesn’t. It’s the same on every track with the exception of a few and some rappers can pull this off but again Milk isn’t there yet. He has grown lyrically, which proves that if he keeps at it, he will join that elite group of producers that are strong on the mic and behind the boards. Album Of The Year is a great album and a good reintroduction to who Black Milk is today but if he trusts his instincts, it will serve as an even better blueprint to what will lead him into tomorrow.

8.5/10

Deadly Medley featuring eLZhi and Royce Da 5’9”

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Over Again featuring Monica Blaire

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Gospel Psychedelic Rock

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