Chicago has been releasing a lot of mixtapes/albums just in time for the Summer. Joey Purp's under the radar just excellent iiiDrops and Risk the Rapper's highly anticipated just overall disappointing third mixtape Coloring Book were both released recently and both have their off-white share of tracks perfect for summer listening.

Yet in the anarchy known equally Summer, we got something that nosotros didn't think we would go: new Vic Mensa. Vic hasn't released any sort of project since 2013's Innanetape aside from a few singles here and there. While near of u.s.a. expected Vic to release his highly anticipated debut LP Traffic , he instead blest us with a new EP to tide us over until then.

In that location's Alot Going On is a clear departure from Innanetape . In that location are no fun songs like " Orange Soda" or "Tweakin'" or even "Hollywood LA." No. Vic's newly adopted mode  is pure emotion; somber lyrics combined with depressing beats to provide a very different tone than we previously accept seen from Vic. But somehow, it really works. Even if information technology isn't the fun loving teenager from the south side that we've come to know and love, it's piece of cake to tell that a lot more thought and emotion went into this release.

On this EP Vic is laying it all on the line, tackling some very provocative and current themes. One that hits close to home is the song "16 Shots," which is about Chicago teen Laquan McDonald who was shot 16 times past a police officer (hence the title of the song). In fact, police brutality and black rights (nigh noticeably on "Shades of Blue") are recurring themes, every bit opposed to the days where Vic would rap about going to the club or doing drugs. As a self-proclaimed activist for the city of Chicago, it's definitely commendable that Vic decided to accost these issues and makes the EP more appealing to the masses.

In terms of the tracks themselves, it'south classic Vic Mensa. He tin squeeze a lot of words into i line which is impressive. While many people have a trouble with his catamenia, and to be fair it isn't the greatest out in that location, information technology's nevertheless skillful enough and works well with the beats. The beats lend to some run-off and Vic is rewarded with an album that doesn't audio as disjointed compared to Innanetape. He'south  clearly matured from his final try and while the themes and sound are a deviation, information technology doesn't hurt the project at all and Vic fans should be happy with the terminal production.

The wordplay is the all-time matter about the project. Information technology's very enjoyable to listen to, and while it isn't nearly as "fun" as Innanetape , it's merely equally clever if not more and so. Lines similar "Rookie season, Steve Nash, they are but my sons, Catchin' Alley oops, take hold of 'em in the alley, oops" off of "Dynasty" are abundant on the album. But the wordplay as well addresses many of the album's themes very well, with lines such as, "Shot 'em 16 times, how fucked up is that? Now the police superintendent wanna double back, Cops speeding up to the block like a runnin' back" on "16 Shots" or "Kids in America don't take clean h2o to drink, Like they cut the EBT, took 'em off of the link" on "Shades of Blue" sending a very powerful and electric current message that need to be addressed. Every bit a sucker for conscious and political rap, I probably enjoy way more than others only it'due south still enjoyable even for a casual hip-hop fan.

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Fifty-fifty though information technology's a seven track EP, the lack of features is notwithstanding shocking, specially for an artist like Vic Mensa who loves his features. The 1 feature is a verse from Ty Dolla $ign on "Liquor Locker" which is expert enough; not the best characteristic only non the worst either. For someone signed to ROC Nation who could become the likes of Jay-Z or his new all-time friend Kanye Westward on this project, it was surprising to say the least. Maybe he'southward saving all of these features for his debut LP, but we tin can't really know.

The hooks on nigh of the songs are the worst part about the release. They sound very "radio-y" which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just they are overproduced and frankly don't audio very good. Especially on "Danger" and "16 Shots," both hooks try to fit the trap label without really having whatsoever knowledge of the genre; non to mention the fact that Vic'south flow doesn't really work in this context. Also, the length of every vocal is kind of unnecessary. There are a lot of outros that last way too long, and make me desire to skip to the next song equally soon as the lyrics are over.

With that being said, There's Alot Going On is the perfect titbit for what's to come. The amount of maturity that Vic puts out on the EP is apparent and fans are rewarded with an album that, while not really "Summer-y" like Innanetape, is  just as enjoyable. While we anxiously expect for Traffic to come across if Vic Mensa propels himself to superstardom, we tin go on to exhaust Innanetape and There's Alot Going On.

vii/10

Written by Max Borushek