SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: A$AP ROCKY – AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP

A$Ap Rocky
At.Long.Last.A$AP
RCA Records

This was a powerhouse album to make. A$AP Rocky has long been one of my favourite rappers, and this album did nothing but further cement my beliefs. Filled to the brim with strong collaborations on all fronts, from tracks featuring Rod Stewart, Kanye West, and Schoolboy Q, to songs being produced by heavyweights such as Danger Mouse and Jeff Bhasker, At.Long.Last.A$AP (stylized as A.L.L.A) was definitely a gamble. Pulling samples from all different types of music and songs from an array of genres didn’t make A$AP’s project any easier. However, this risk clearly paid off.

With this album, A$AP has been able to integrate all kinds of different music styles into the dark, haunting depths that compose his style of rap. “Everyday” showcases this fusion, where A$AP succeeds in integrating soulful music from an older generation into his more hardcore beats and raps. This track ends up being one of the best the album has to offer. A$AP’s collaborations with other top-tier rap artists also produce amazing results. The distinctive styles of Kanye and Schoolboy Q shine through in “Jukebox Joints” and “Electric Body,” while their sounds are seamlessly melded into A$AP’s style. Despite all the collaborations, A$AP’s familiar sounds still stand strong, when working with others or on solo tracks such as “L$D” and “Better Things.” A$AP fans will be more than pleased with his strong third album, which has so far proven to be one of the best rap albums this year.

-Maya Koparkar (@mkoparks)

alla.asvpxrocky.com