After going silent in the midst of the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake internet feud, J. Cole has returned and released his final album on Feb. 6. “The Fall-Off” is packed with marvelous lyrics, symbolism and bass-boosted beats.
Cole is recognized for his slam-poetry-ish bars and story-like songs infused with themes of Black experiences, love and success. This new record sticks with the rapper’s usual style with witty, impactful and quick flows in his verses.
The finest song on the record is “39 Intro.” Cole’s gentle vocals open accompanied by soft strums of an acoustic guitar. The beat transforms into a Tyler The Creator-esque rhythm and features catchy drums and hi-hats, making this track highly amusing. The melody is captivating, and the rapper’s flow is incomparable. The production and beats are nothing less than exemplary; the merging of various music styles mixed with the lyrics bring this song up to par. Other songs with similar and potent flow in verses and beats are “Lonely at the Top” and “Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas.”
Cole’s storytelling is prominent in the record. Songs such as “I Love Her Again” are a precise representation of the experiences that the rapper paints. The tune tells a tale about the rapper falling in love with a person who has a negatively extensive dating history, or so it seems at first glance. The story is linear and clear, filled with thorough imagery without losing its rhyme. The woman is a metaphor for hip-hop and the vicissitudes of the genre. This gives room for contrasting perspectives while also possessing historical reflection.
“Only You” is filled with what can only be described as art. Poet and MC Eve L. Fontes recites an outro for the track. The conclusion expresses the vulnerability of man and the expectations he carries: “You’re tired, and you’re weak, and you could blow it all tonight / ‘Cause everybody thinks that you’re a man of steel.” This ending elegantly mixes poetry and song closer together, all while adding to the themes of success, fatherhood and relationships.
“The Let Out” is one of the most captivating songs on the album — mixed with Mexican regional guitar and thrilling electric guitar solos. The corrido-like intro is a surprisingly rare mixing of genres. Lyrics in the song, such as “Proceed with caution, thinkin’ they stalkin’ your moves / Pistols be sparkin’, leaving your thoughts on your shoes” are incredible penmanship from Cole — enthralling metaphor without the dispense of rhyme. A faster flowing verse with astonishing harmonies makes this track instrumentally marvelous.
Cole has proven once again that he is worthy of the fame and success he has attained. His verses and symbolism are attentive and profound. Instrumentals are not mushy and repetitive. Each track makes the listening experience stunning.
