Review: “Bryson Tiller re-envisions genre on self-titled album”
Rating: ★★★½
Top Track: “CALYPSO”
Seasoned R&B singer Bryson Tiller has returned with his fourth studio album, a self-titled record that infuses cyberpunk aesthetics into both its visuals and its sound. On the eponymous album, Tiller, best known for hits like “Don’t” and “Exchange,” takes on the challenge of deconstructing his own artistic journey. “Bryson Tiller” is a multi-genre departure from Tiller’s comfort zone. It features pop, dancehall, neo-soul and drill elements next to his signature combination of hip hop and R&B.
“Attention” is a sensual, slinky opener that evokes images of late-night musings on a penthouse balcony. Tiller’s impassioned vocals, backed by a simultaneously gritty and sparkling instrumental that seems to unfurl around him, set the tone for the rest of the album to follow.
On “Persuasion,” a collaboration with singer-songwriter Victoria Monét, Monét’s talents are diluted with thick vocoder harmonies. Still, Tiller and Monét manage to create an infectious synergy on this track, which features flirtatious lyrical misdirection.
Tiller regrets letting a partner take advantage of his money on “Ciao!”. The artist employs his unique style of half-rapping, half-singing on this track over an energetic R&B-drill beat.
Following the overstimulation of “Rich Boy,” “Random Access Memory [RAM]” (featuring sped-up vocals from Clara La San) soothes with its synthwave instrumental and tender reflections on loneliness. Given its vulnerability and propulsive Jersey club rhythms, “Random Access Memory [RAM]” is an ideal balance of old and new Tiller.
Tiller sing-raps about gratitude for his partner’s unconditional love on “No Thank You,” but the writing doesn’t do his message justice. “Find My Way” is an even worse culprit of this lyrical mediocrity. Tiller’s earnesty is out of place with lines in the chorus that sound AI-generated (“It's the way you vibe, it's the way you move / It's the things you do”).
The Kaytranada-produced “ÆON L U S T” offers melodic experimentation, with a dissonant instrumental pushing Tiller’s voice out of the spotlight. On an album that frequently lacks proper mixing and storytelling, “CALYPSO” finally picks up the slack. There’s an addictive confidence to Tiller’s delivery on “CALYPSO” as he recounts dancing with a former lover at a party in LA.
Tiller takes his genre-blind approach too far on “Undertow,” which attempts to be a sentimental ballad. The song’s bluesy guitar is jarring and is in direct conflict with Tiller’s vocals, which are begging to be complemented with a gentler, 2000s R&B piano line instead.
“F4U,” which samples “Feenin’” by Jodeci, is a catchy track about becoming enamored with someone and no longer having eyes for anybody else. It’s a necessary palette cleanser to survive the lyrical and sonic atrocity that is “Assume the Position”—a peppy song that conflates sex and arrest while still somehow sounding like a Kidz Bop cover.
On “Whatever She Wants,” Tiller raps breezily over a Detroit beat about splurging on his girlfriend. Though the song has plenty of replay value, its place on the album tracklist (a bonus final track, following “Assume the Position”) is a misguided decision. Regardless of whether one interprets “Assume the Position” or “Whatever She Wants” as the last track, the album lacks narrative finality, which is notable considering its cyberpunk concept.
Without a consistent soundscape or emotional undertone to tie together the record, “Bryson Tiller” often feels more like a playlist than a concept album. In his experimentation, Tiller sometimes excels, but he sacrifices cohesion.
More from The Rice Thresher
Jeremy Zucker is no longer a ‘sad-boy troubadour’
Jeremy Zucker’s arms, like most of his body, host a scrapbook of tattoos — a faded clementine peel, his childhood pets (Rusty and Susie), a Pinterest doodle of Sonic the Hedgehog with a bouquet of flowers. His middle finger is etched with a single tooth, hanging off a thin branch wrapping around the rest of his hand.
Super Smash Bros. ultimate tournament sees smashing success
The Super Smash Bros. Club held their second annual ultimate tournament Friday, April 12. Club president Jashun Paluru said all Smash players were welcome, regardless of ability, experience or involvement in the club. The event was held in collaboration with Owls After Dark, a late-night activity series headed by the Rice Student Center, at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall.
Tribute band ‘Suede Hedgehog’ talks inspirations, legacies
Last Thursday, the halls of the RMC were graced with smooth melodies and funky grooves courtesy of “Suede Hedgehog,” Rice’s very own tribute band to “Silk Sonic,” a musical duo made up of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Although the tiny desk concert only lasted about 20 minutes the atmosphere was electric, and Coffeehouse — their venue — was packed with listeners.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.