Brockhampton - 'Saturation III'

Brockhampton is the newest collective of hip-hop innovators that will soon have the pop landscape at their feet. They don’t want to be just another “rap group”; they insist that you call them a “boy band.” The group consists of Kevin Abstract, Matt Champion, Ameer Van, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Rodney Tenor, Ciaran “Bearface” Mcdonald, and Russell Boring.

After dishing out Saturation and Saturation II within a matter of months, they’re full ahead steam with their newest project, Saturation III. Brockhampton is fighting for their place in music, project after project, track after track.

1. “Boogie”

The intro is a mania of funk, and uptempo bravado. After being “beat down” their whole lives, each member has a middle finger for their doubters, and victory laps that they’d like to run on this track. It may not be the kind of track I bump to in traffic, but they won me over with “the best boyband since One Direction.” You hear that One Direction? Step aside…

2. “Zipper”

This track raises the bar for this project. It has that West Coast warmth, with the grooves of a G-Funk record. The keyboard and synth arrangements are sure to get you humming and bobbing your head. This track has tremendous replay value. The flows and melodic cadences sound great over this instrumental.

3. “Johnny”

I love the background notes from the tenor sax on this. As is the case with a lot of their production, this beat doesn’t feel like it’s just being looped. The hook takes on different chord progressions before settling back into its regular groove. The band vents about their vices and what’s been troubling them.

4. “Liquid”

This track is considerably shorter… and I’m OK with that. At four tracks in, this project begins to prove its cohesion. There’s lots to explore. This time, the group expounds on loneliness, and one of them briefly mentions mental health. They aren’t from Cali, but they moved out there “and started getting paper.” Even so, they’re still hungry for more. Each member beams with their own distinct personality over this beat.

5. “Cinema 1”

This is an interlude. The Spanish speaking is slightly random, and once I found out what he was saying… it still feels slightly random. I appreciate the linguistic dexterity, though.

6. “Stupid”

This track is golden. Enough said.

7. “Bleach”

On this one, the hook is soulful, the verses contain great flows, and the harmonies near the end of this song are angelic. This crew is really polished and filled with chemistry. The delivery of one of these members reminds me of Vince Staples when he first started to make waves. This is one of the best tracks.

8. “Alaska”

Pull up in traffic to this and you’ll turn heads. This track would make Dr. Dre smile for its G-Funk-esque soundscape. I repeat, ride to this.

9. “Hottie”

This track is incredibly catchy and has radio/commercial potential. This aside though, I don’t care for this track too much. Personally, it’s too sweet for me.

10. “Cinema 2”

Another interlude in Spanish. I took French in high school; don’t blame a French speaker for being bored with this delivery.

11. “Sister/Nation”

This track starts off wild. There’s a method to the madness though. Each member gives a different perspective on their progression to stardom. The narrative about hating the suburbs and realizing you were a “nigga” is particularly striking. With each new Saturation there are more details about each member’s upbringing. The section near this song’s resolution where the speaker tries to make sense of what they mean to different entities like blogs, is genius.

12. “Rental”

This is one of the best songs I’ve heard…all year. It’s incredibly smooth and the chord progression float through the speakers. This track is hypnotic and a great vibe for a late night drive. The sentiment being expressed here is that everyone wants to use them. Aaah yes, the perils of fame.

13. “Stains”

This is hilarious. There’s a voice that seems to be impersonating their critics. "There’s the drug dealer... the one who tries to sound like Lil Wayne…” This is a great jam. The Lil Wayne reference makes me wonder just what their influences and inspirations are.

14. “Cinema 3”

Aye man… I still don’t understand, but it’s all good.

15. “Team”

Ladies and gentleman, a round of applause for Bearface. The sheer passion and emotion, accompanied by just an electric guitar is breathtaking. This track is a live recording where the energy feels raw, and unfiltered. It feels like they freestyled this. This is one of the best outros I’ve heard all year.

Essentials

“Zipper”

“Rental”

“Bleach”

“Alaska”

“Johnny”

The Verdict

I first discovered Brockhampton after Saturation II, but this might be the best Saturation tape. These boys deliver, and continue to get better. This group and their distinct personalities are going to be impactful to hip-hop and pop. While Odd Future paved the way for them, there’s hardly anyone in today’s landscape that we can compare their sound to. They continue to be a breath of fresh air. Saturation III has lots of replay value. A-.