This is a stronger release than Apollo’s previous collaboration with CRIMEAPPLE, 'This Is Not That'. However, I could almost copy and paste sections from my earlier reviews of Apollo’s work, because at this point, he has been making essentially the same kind of album for what feels like forever. When you think of legendary producers like Timbaland or DJ Premier, one of the first things that comes to mind is how much range and variety they bring across their discographies. With Apollo, that kind of unpredictability is missing.
To be clear, I do like the production on this project. It’s well-crafted, soulful, and at imes atmospheric in that signature Apollo style, but that’s also the issue as it rarely strays from what we already know he can do. There’s a lack of surprise, of reinvention. By now, when you press play on an Apollo Brown album, you more or less know exactly what you’re going to hear. And while that consistency can be comforting, it would be refreshing to hear him push himself into some less familiar territory. Just looking back through his discography, I also think his music for a while has lacked bangers. You find more of these on his early albums like 'The Reset' or 'Gas Mask'. The rapper, Bronze Nazareth does what he does, but he isn't the most attention grabbing or unique rapper.
In short, this isn't bad at all, but if you've been playing Apollo for a while I can't see how you'd think this was great as we've heard it before.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★
Hooks: ★★★
Best Tracks: Enough Lord, Lavender, Faded Pictures, The Quiet Years
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