Bas - Milky Way (Album Review)

There has been a question raised on whether or not 2018 is perhaps the best year ever for hip-hop. And while that may be a little premature to determine, there is no denying that this year has been filled with impressive projects, from mainstream as well as underground artists. What may be the most important aspect of this year’s hip-hop scene is the fact that many of it’s best projects have come from artists who many weren’t looking for or may have been forgotten about. Often those artists play the background behind bigger artists and breakout with great work of their own. And once they arrive, people ask themselves how they weren’t a fan from day one.

The best example of this case in 2018 is New York (by way of France) rapper Bas, a member of the immensely talented Dreamville Records label, headed by rap superstar J. Cole. The collective has grew in popularity as they’ve released several high quality projects. J. Cole released his fifth commercial album K.O.D. back in April, while labelmate and Cozz released a highly impressive album of his own with his sophomore album Effected. With these two projects providing a high bar for the rest of the label to meet, it would take an exceptional sound and effort to outdo them. Bas would do just that. 

On August 24th, he would release his anticipated Milky Way album, his third album. A noticeable transition from the serious tone of his debut album Last Winter or the darker and honest vibe of his sophomore album Too High To Riot, his latest effort would display a much lighter side of Bas’s thinking, wit and personality, without sacrificing any of his top notch lyrical ability and versatility as an artist. That same versatility is actually what makes this album all the more enjoyable. 

From the album’s opening track Icarus, assisted with vocals by gifted Dreamville R&B singer Ari Lennox, Bas wastes no time letting the listener know that there will be no questioning his ability to rhyme and that his style is all his own. Lyrics like “I can’t get jiggy with you clowns. I’ve been busy, I’ve been giving New York City a whole new sound” ring true right out the gate on this album. The album quickly transitions and displays his unique sound on the harmony filled second track Front Desk, a carefree track where he sings about a woman he’s involved with and her knowing where home is. The J. Cole assisted Tribe, the lead single off the album, is a lyrical ode to a loyal love interest, a rare occurance in rap today, provides a relaxing moment in the album. Perhaps the highlight of the 40 minute project is the fun, bouncy track Boca Raton, where Bas fellow New York rapper A$AP Ferg rhyme effortlessly over Latin-trap style production. It’s almost impossible to choose a favorite verse for one of the best songs of the year. 

The remainder of the album is filled with the same high quality sound and lyricism. Whether it’s the confident and boastful flow of Purge, or the assured yet distressed tone on Barack Obama Special, there is music for every type of mood on this album; so much so that you’ll easily replay the album after one listen. 

Milky Way concludes much different than your typical rap album. PDA serves as a promise to always be real with the one person that means the most. And finally, the album closes out with the pop infused track Spaceships + Rockets. Bas floats on the upbeat production, almost showing off to the listener at this point. Nothing other than a showcase of how the beat doesn’t matter when you’re a great lyricist. He proves to be nothing short of exceptional with this album. Milky Way serves as a sign of rap’s ever evolving nature and how you cannot put creativity in a box. The album is smart and allows  the lyrics and sound to dominate the project. And by doing that, Bas dropped a gem and one of the best albums of one of rap’s best years. 

Top 5 Songs: 1. Boca Raton

2. Purge

3. Tribe

4. Front Desk 

5. Icarus