Album a Day: Day One - 'TA1300' by Denzel Curry

Denzel Curry is a 23-year-old rapper from Carol City, Florida, mostly known for his meme hit, "Ultimate." Formerly a part of the since-disbanded rap group, Raider Clan, he has released three mixtapes and three full albums.

Today, we will be focusing on his most recent album, TA1300. TA1300 is a "three act" album. The three acts are Light, Grey and Dark. Please support this artist on Youtube, Itunes, Spotify and Google Play.

In this first track we are already suckerpunched right in our ear drums. It starts out with a smooth melody and floating vocals. As the song proceeds, we hear dreamlike chords as the vocals explain exactly what is we should expect from this album and this song in particular. The chorus vocals are pretty, but also kind of melancholy in a way. It sounds dark, but charming. After a pretty long intro, we finally get into Denzel's verse.

Now let me say this. Before this, we have heard very very little of Denzel actually singing, and as a person who enjoys Curry, his vocals just strengthened that liking to me. His rapping was melodic, but not pretentious in any sense. The subject matter in this song is honestly the most mature I have ever heard Curry.

He starts his verse by speaking to a girl he likes but shouldn't, justly naming her Taboo. He then starts to get into just how deep his emotional bond is to this person. I was taken aback in a way. I was kind of expecting him to come at this person in the typical rapper way, but instead of doing that, he gets into just how much he knows and cares about this girl. Denzel uses very powerful imagery within his verses and well done wordplay to really strengthen the mood and vibe.

Rating: 5/5

This song continues with the theme that the previous song has provided melodically. The instrumental is ghostly and dreamlike, but honestly really soft and nice to listen to. The chorus vocals are dreamy and airy, providing a weightless feel to the song.

The main verse seems to continue the story of the previously mentioned person named Taboo. Denzel has always proven himself a lyrical mastersmith, using very vivid imagery and well done wordplay and referencing to really drill in the subject matter of his music. This song further proved that.

Like the line "Note my words are Navy sealed so here and I quote/ Taboo and I are in the same boat."

This is a really well-done pun on the Navy Seals, the US aquatic task force. He uses them to say that what he is told, he keeps to himself and tells no one about it, but then uses it to say that the boat he and the person are on is sealed well, not allowing the metaphorical boat sink.

He then goes on to make a reference to the Steven King-created horror clown named Pennywise. "What's said from Pennywise / I guess we all float." This line is honestly really well said. What he is saying is basically that we are all in the same boat, using the repeated phrase that pennywise uses in the book and movie, It.

He explores a plethora of different topics in this song. One such topic is people switching up. He mentions that people who use women are in comparison to the way a landscaper uses their tool, a hoe.

He then talks about how a hoe, or a scandalous women would switch up into a housewife at the sign of wealth. He then talks about how once the black balloon, a plot device, pops the pain will finally stop.

Rating: 5/5

Honestly, I like this song for the most part. I love Denzels wordplay and lyrical skill, even though this is a relatively Right off the bat, we are greeted with an off kilter chorus by Nyyjerya. Her vocals just, for some reason, didn't strike well with me.

As for the beat, it's a really cool homage to a sort of R&B style. It really compliments Denzel's flow. Lyrically, this fits the theme of the album so far. It's contemplative, with a very small hint of braggish rap. The ending of the track interested me immensely. It kinda game me a sort of Vaporwave feel. I really liked that little hint of floaty beatwork.

Rating: 4/5

Seeming as this was released as a single before the album came out, I didn't expect it to fit thematically. This track is way more rowdy and rambunctious. It feels like a punch in the face as compared to the sounds of the other songs off the album. In all honesty, this song goes absolutely hard. It's loud, in your face and kinda funny.

One hilarious line is "Chop and eat a n***a like chowder" then followed up the sounds of Schnitzel from the cartoon network show, Chowder.

Honestly, it was an amazing throw in. This song is more than a typical brag rap. It lets you know that Curry isn't to be messed with. That he has so much money, his pockets are fat like a sumo wrestler.

Rating: 5/5

Honestly, this song also doesn't follow the theme, either. It kinda makes sense, though, as to why. The symbolism of the new act is that everything is a bit darker. This is shown by the production and the over all vocal aesthetic of the tracks throughout this act.

In this song, it sounds like Curry's spin on the generic brag rap. He makes sure he assures you that he is dominant. He is powerful. Like a Super Saiyan from Dragon Ball Z mixed with Superman. However, this track kinda feels weak lyrically. Of course there's Curry's booming vocals, but under those vocals it kinda says the same stuff Sumo was implying.

Rating: 4/5

In all honesty, to most this would come out as a brag song to most. Unless you really listen to the lyrics that are being said. Let me break it down bit by bit.

Let's start with production. The production quality is phenomenal. The dark, deep and kinda carnival sound of the beat really compliments the rest of the song. It also really drives home that this is supposed to be a darker chapter in the song.

Next, the lyrics and vocals. The lyrics of this song could come off as just brag rap, but if you listen closer and longer you start to hear the true meaning of the song. There are layers to what Denzel is saying. He speaks of people switching up on him.

This is shown by the Shakespeare reference "To be or not to be."

This refers to the mindset some people might have about being in a crew with Denzel. They could be planning on switching up on him at any moment. For the vocal quality, the way he switches how his voice sounds adds madness to it all. It turns it into this sinister kind of response to all of those who would dare to switch up on him.

Rating: 5/5

This song is kinda like a revenge track on all those who looked down on Denzel. His flow on the dark, but softer then the previous two, instrumental really compliments each other.

He speaks that people keep talking bad about him, but he'll keep smiling because he knows where he is, he earned. Denzel may have lost friends along the way to his previous life of crime, but it all built him into the person he is today. Denzel won't let anyone talk down on him for that.

Rating: 5/5

Conclusion and P.S

In conclusion, this album is an absolute work of art. It speaks on many issues and opens a new light to the powerhouse that is Denzel Curry. In all honesty, the other songs that I didn't touch on I feel I spoke upon what they are in the previous parts of this review.

As for "Sirens" and "Clout Cobain," I want to make solo reviews for those two songs because they speak to a lot of what makes up America both musically and culturally.