Kanye West – Ye //Virgin EMI// (Released 10th August)

Description

£21.99 – LP

Kanye doesn’t shy away from darkness or drama on this, his eighth solo album, written and recorded while holed up with an extended circle of friends and collaborators amid the snowcapped mountains encircling Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As expected, he mentions recent controversies – including that notorious “slavery was a choice” comment – and possibly sparks some new ones, name-dropping the #MeToo movement and Stormy Daniels. Even those headline-grabbing asides, however, don’t overshadow what are arguably the most candid lyrics of Kanye’s career.

His mental health is a constant theme: Kanye confesses to suicidal and homicidal thoughts within the album’s opening minute, then admits he’s bipolar on “Yikes”, but proclaims the condition is “My super-power… Ain’t no disability”. He praises wife Kim Kardashian for standing by him through “the worst times” (“Wouldn’t Leave”) and reveals how his daughters have changed his views about women (“Violent Crimes”).

The album has just seven songs, most under four minutes, and is his most focused and concise project yet, even with the impressive, sprawling guest list (Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla $ign, Nicki Minaj, Charlie Wilson). The production, as always, is often remarkable: Kanye’s political beliefs may have changed, but his ear for skillfully chopped-up samples and uplifting, gospel-informed vocal arrangements hasn’t.

Tracklisting:

1. I thought About Killing You
2. Yokes
3. All Mine [feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Ant Clemons]
4. Wouldn’t Leave [feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih]
5. No Mistakes [feat. Kid Cudi, Charlie Wilson, and Caroline Shaw]
6. Ghost Town [feat. Kid Cudi and 070 Shake]
7. Violent Crimes [feat. Ty Dolla $ign, 070 Shake, and Nicki Minaj]