3/5 stars
At.Long.Last.A$AP is certainly a step sideways from the trap beats we’ve seen on A$AP Rocky’s last two releases.
This more psychedelic album has been praised for its experimental nature, and with guest appearances from the likes of Lil Wayne, Rod Stewart and Yeezus himself, it’s clear that Rocky is trying to do big things. It does, however, feel like A.L.L.A. falls short of the profoundness Rocky wanted.
Some passionate lyrics in ‘Holy Ghost’ and the standard Rocky feel in ‘Canal St.’ make for a strong start. Much of the remaining content is themed around the tripping we experience on ‘L$D’, which itself is nothing memorable and borders on cliché. Nonetheless, there are some big beats on this record – notably ‘LPFJ2’ and three great tracks in a row in the back half: ‘Max B’, ‘Pharsyde’ and ‘Wavybone’. The list of guest appearances, with strong verses from Schoolboy Q and Juicy J, is tempered by a disappointing effort from Kanye, who produces and features on ‘Jukebox Joints’. ‘Everyday’ is the standout single, with exceptional production and features from Mark Ronson, Stewart and Miguel.
A.L.L.A is by all means a solid album and an enjoyable listen, but it’s nowhere near as satisfying as what we’ve heard from Rocky before.
