J. Cole - The Off-Season (Album Release)
By: Chris Buxton IG/Twitter: @chrisbuxtonllg
For the last 3 years, rap fans and lovers of music have patiently waited for the next solo album they would be gifted by North Carolina’s very own Jermaine Cole. Ever since hopping on the music scene with mixtapes such as ‘The Come Up’, ‘The Warm Up’, 'and ‘Friday Night Lights’, J. Cole has been known for his storytelling ability when it comes to rap. With his ability to paint vivid pictures with his words and craft songs that are not only catchy but relatable, J. Cole has solidified himself as one of the best rappers of all time depending on who you ask. After teasing on social media that he was dropping new music, the rapper finally gifted the industry his newest album ‘The Off-Season’. The title is very fitting due to the relationship and parallels he makes between past projects and his love for the game of basketball. With this new album, we see an older Cole, but we can tell his pen hasn’t lost its step.
The 12-song album shows a rejuvenated Cole, and it shows a rapper that is willing to make changes to adapt to the times. In retrospect, Cole has been known for releasing albums without features and using in-house producers. On ‘The Off-Season’, Cole recruits 21 Savage and Lil Baby on the vocal side while also giving a nod to Timbaland, Frank Dukes, Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, and Jake One on the production side. Overall, the album is a more direct project from the rapper, and he somewhat leaves his typical subject-oriented songwriting on the back burner.
After having time to sit with the well-anticipated album, my favorite songs have to be ‘pride.is.the.devil’ that features Lil Baby, and ‘my.life’ that features 21 Savage and Morray. With that being said, the album serves as a good teaser for what seems like J. Cole’s final act titled ‘The Fall Off’ which will serve as his final project. If you have some time, click play one of the best rap albums that you will hear all year.
Favorite Song: pride.is.the.devil (ft. Lil Baby)
Lyrics That Stick:
”Bright lights pass me in the city, its emergency
I’m thankful cause I made it past my thirties, no one murdered me”
