Not Snoop's Typical Plant
Snoop Dogg-BUSH
(7.7/10)
As ridiculous as that title may seem, it is easy to overlook anything Snoop Dogg has done in the last 10 years quite honestly. The man is comfortable and there is no problem with that, but it has gotten to the point where Calvin Broadus is more popular for his stoner persona than his actual music. And while I think Snoop is a more than capable rapper, it is really hard to say he has impressed me a lot recently. However, within the last year and a half, he is starting to do some cool things in my opinion. I thought some of his collaborations with Flying Lotus were pretty cool, especially Dead Man's Tetris, and I also thought he sounded right at home on Kendrick Lamar's new album To Pimp A Butterfly. What did these two tracks have in common? They weren't conventional Snoop sounding songs! On Dead Man's Tetris Snoop rapped over video game sounding beats with very cool synth progressions, and this gave Snoop's routine a little more life. On Institutionalized off Kendrick's new album I heard Snoop rapping with a little more emotion than usual as of late. He did not disappoint, even when paired with one of the world's best rappers which really impressed me. This track sounded a little early Snoop inspired, and it was refreshing to hear Snoop back in that type of setting. On BUSH Snoop continues to try some new things, and actually even go back to his roots in some ways. BUSH is easily Snoop's best work in years, and it is not because he dropped bars and went back to his gangster sound, but rather it is because he provided a more focused stylistic change to keep listeners intrigued. While this album doesn't feature nearly as much rap as his other efforts, it does hold my attention a lot, and it has a lot of great things going on. Some of the production and features are very well done, especially all work done by Pharrell Williams. This album just feels like a breath of fresh air for me, and it actually ironically sounds more focused and reggae influenced than anything Snoop Lion ever produced. While this thing will definitely not live up to albums like Doggystyle or The Doggfather, it will certainly be another good edition into Snoop's discography, and at this point that is a good accomplishment.
BUSH opens up with quite possibly my favorite pop tune of the year in California Rolls. This tune features Pharrell Williams with a catchy hook and crisp production. The song feels very old school, yet with a touch of new to it at the same time. This track's hook also has cool word play with the food California Rolls and the phrase "How California Rolls' as well. Stevie Wonder is also on here with presumably some piano and back up vocal contributions. Overall this track just feels smoother than a glass of lemonade on a nice summer day, and it is by the far the highlight of the album for me. The next track admittedly loses some steam for me. This City is not awful, but it simply feels kind of bland after the great opener, and I was not happy to hear this. R U A Freak sees Snoop at his most funkadelic and mysterious. The bassline on this track is just incredible, and it has me dancing every time. The song can feel lazy lyrically for sure, but honestly it's just a simple sexy funk tune, and there's nothing wrong with that. Still sometimes Snoop's lyrics just feel awkward and forced. Awake also has Pharrell on the hook, and he yet again just adds a certain spark to the song. These two seem to just create great hooks together. This track also has those funky guitar chords that I love. They are very corny, but they still work well. This track just feels like it was so fun to make also. Everyone contributing vocally just feels into it, and the groove just fills my body with joy. So Many Pros is probably too long, but it still has some great things on it. The backup singers are just singing their ass of on this one. I really love hearing that, but in comparison Snoop just feels lazy on this track. This one is also catchy and funky, but it doesn't posses the same spark as Awake. Peaches N Cream is also too long, but yet again the instrumentation just feels spot on. Phat drums, groovy bass, and the camaraderie in the vocals just puts me in a great mood. Edibles is so tightly produced that I can't hate it. The song itself is actually pretty bad, but the drums are just so tight sounding, and the blending of real instrumentation with drum machines is pretty awesome. Pharrell really saved this album at times actually, especially considering how poor the lyrical output was. Still the instrumentals are constantly amazing sounding, and I just am having a blast listening to this. The last 3 songs are undoubtedly really disappointing though. I Knew That is just so forgettable. Snoop does not have much charisma on here even though he tries, but almost everything he says on here just feels really creepy actually. Run Away tries to the most charming track on here with the trade off between male and female vocals, but Snoop and Gwen Stefani establish no connection on here. I cannot really feel anything for either protagonist of this song, which is really disappointing. Lastly, I'm Ya Dogg is actually pretty good, but when you put two legends in Snoop and Kendrick on a track I expect better results. Kendrick kind of saves this track from oblivion, but overall it's still pretty listenable. Also this thing kind of just fizzles out, which is such a bummer. This track does not pack the energy that some of these other tracks do, and on such a fun summer loving album this just feels inappropriate. Despite all its flaws, this album still impressed me though. I have to say Snoop pulled through on this one, and I think that this will please many people.
Overall if you love more instrumental rap music check this thing out. It does not have great lyrics at all, but it is fun, catchy, and simply groovy and sometimes that is all you need. I feel like Snoop will never make another classic, but with BUSH he has proven he still at least has more to offer.
Best Songs: California Rolls, R U A Freak, Awake, So Many Pros, Peaches N Cream, Edibles, I'm Ya Dogg
Worst Songs: This City, I Knew That, Run Away
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