Will Kuhns
Staff Writer
Logic said he took the name “Under Pressure” for his first studio album because “When coal is under lots of pressure it turns into a diamond and thats what I want my music to be.”
Although there are some minor setbacks in this album, Logic does deliver an overall solid debut album. It has some of the incredible tracks and the most precise and fastest flows of any other rapper this year.
Logic is a Maryland rapper and producer who is signed to Def Jam Records, by famous producer and manager, NoID. NoID has signed famous rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z. Most of Logic’s success however, comes from Visionary Music Group, headed by Chris Zarou, and his fanbase, the RattPack, which is based off of Frank Sinatra’s classic crew. He expanded this group and let his fans built up a huge amount of hype, throughout 4 mixtapes and 3 tours, leading up to his first album release.
Logic’s ability to flow and rap with precision makes him a step above others. Due to the fact that Logic is also a huge hip-hop fan along with being a rapper, his influences from other current and more popular artists scep into his music. Several of the tracks on Logic’s project sound like they come off of “Good Kid Maad City” however they lack the self awareness or the context. The beat and lyrical content from the tracks “I’m Gone,” “Never Enough,” “Metropolis,” and “Bounce” sound like they are throwaways from “Good Kid Maad City.” “Under Pressure” is an adequate album, but it just takes from other albums to become the album that it is.
“Under Pressure” is a 12 track and a 56 minute LP. This is not a disappointing album and still appeals to the masses that are listening. Logic’s past mixtapes have shown a lot of potential. From his second mixtape “Young Sinatra,” Logic creates his own sound with ample use of samples and well done production by Logic himself. When it comes to “Under Pressure,” it falls short compared to his past projects, because of attempts to gain mainstream appeal and imitations of Kendrick Lamar and other artist. While not matching up to his previous projects, “Under Pressure” still proves to be some of the best modern hip-hop this year.
The album itself has a depressing and dark tone to it, with the lyrical content focused around struggle and addiction. The production on “Under Pressure,” which is mostly done by Logic himself, has a very upbeat tone which creates a nice contrast with the dark lyrics. “Under Pressure” also is very lacking in features, which was a decision of the artist himself. It only has two features on the Deluxe Edition, and both were well done with Big Sean and Childish Gambino. Having few features is a rarity on triple A hip-hop release. In fact most popular rappers tend to oversaturate their projects with features making Logic unique to only have two on his debut album.
“Under Pressure” is a terrific album even though it obviously borrows rhythms and styles from other artists. The songs “Gang Related” and “Growing Pains III” are more captivating tracks and also some of the only tracks that sound original. Logic has great mechanics and style as a hip hop and rap artist, but ultimately, Logic’s imitative qualities get in the way him of producing his own unique work.
“Under Pressure” is available on iTunes for $7.99.
Leave a Reply