New Migos album goes for ‘quantity over quality’
February 8, 2018
Migos, the rap trio from Atlanta, has returned to the music scene following the anniversary of their breakout sophomore album “Culture.” Their newest album, “Culture II,” holds its own as a solid album full of party hits and memorable lines that will probably be quoted on Instagram. “Culture II” was released on Jan. 26.
Migos is comprised of rappers Quavo, Takeoff and Offset. All three members came together to create and cultivate the popular Atlanta trap sound that has taken over hip-hop.
Fans of the group’s past work shouldn’t expect them to change up the formula too dramatically. “Culture II” is similar to its predecessor and is sure to please longtime Migos fans. However, there are moments of experimentation with the sound with tracks such as “Stir Fry” or “Too Playa” which opt for a different instrumentation.
The main lyrical content of the album is centered on wealth, fame and a lavish lifestyle. “MotorSport,” “White Sand” and “BDO” all include strong features from notable artists. Having stars such as Drake, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and 21 Savage helps combat the trio’s repetitive nature by keeping the album fresh and interesting.
The biggest surprise of the album is Takeoff’s performance. Most known for being the quiet Migos member, as well as the famous “Does it look like I was left off Bad & Boujee?” internet meme, “Culture II” serves as the rapper’s chance to shine.
Boasting strong lyrics and an improved charisma, Takeoff rides the instrumentals with an ease that perfectly contrasts the gruff Offset and the melodic Quavo, with a fusion of both styles and added lyricism. His improvement is best featured in songs such as “Made Men,” “Too Much Jewelry” and “CC.”
The biggest criticism of “Culture II” is that it has too many songs. It makes the album feel a bit bloated with many skippable tracks, all of which bleed into one another. “Culture II” seemingly focuses on quantity over quality in order to get a streaming hit.
At times, the songs seem to be carried by the production and beats which leads to a wildly inconsistent album and the feeling that Migos is simply going through the motions. Despite moments of genius and innovation, too much of the album comes across as fluff.
This is the type of album that a listener filters through and saves the most enjoyable songs as opposed to listening to the entire project. While this album does not hit the highs of the original “Culture,” there are still plenty of things for longtime fans to enjoy. “Culture II” may stand as one of Migos’ most accessible releases but also one of their most dull, which is disappointing after coming from such an impressive original.