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Since the beginning, one of the most important aspects of music has been the ability for the listeners to embrace the personality of a particular artist through their songs. No matter the genre, it is something special when an artist connects with their fans in such a way that it feels almost like they know one another. Personality as an artist is important, and in hip-hop, there is no artist with more personality than Queens, New York’s own Action Bronson.
A former XXL freshmen alongside Schoolboy Q, Joey Bada$$, Logic & Ab-Soul to name a few, Action has managed to follow the path of his peers and craft a sound and feel that is his and his alone. That has included giving his audience a look inside some of his unique passions as and even his acclaimed cooking talent. Add in his unique look, style and voice..and it’s not hard to see why Bronson has been such a popular artists for a good portion of the 2010’s.
Those elements have a variety or projects differing in tone and style, including two studio albums. His debut album, Mr. Wonderful, was a brash yet cohesive mix of rock, hip-hop, and contemporary jazz, which received mixed reviews for the most part. The sophomore effort, Blue Chips 7000, saw a much more focused and lyrical Action, while maintaining his usual wit and humor; the album was considered to be his best work today among many fans.
That sentiment may have changed with the latest album release, White Bronco. The third full length Action Bronson album stands as probably his strongest effort to date. Only 11 songs and 27 minutes I’m running time, the album still manages to give the listener all the content they’d need without feeling cheated.
Highlighted by a very distinct horse adlib, the album gives off a fun and relaxed feel on the opening track Dr. Kimble. And it doesn’t take long to get to one of the highlights of the album; Irishman’s Freestyle shows Action at his peak level lyrically over 70’s funk type production. Sports and movie references, outrageous similes and of course crude humor, all while on bear; the listener is immediately reminded of just how talented he is. Live from The Moon slows up the tempo and allows Action to be more direct in tone and delivery over a rich saxophone lead instrumental. It’s only appropriate that the title track would be one of the best tracks on the projects. Over a mellow yet infectious boom bap instrumental, Action exudes confidence, so much that he still takes time to salute Janet Jackson, and shoutout his apparent twin Taye Diggs.
The only outlier track on the album, Brutal, is a highlight of Bronson’s appreciate for rock music and samples. He takes his same fun approach and the erratic rock and soul mashup plays a perfect compliments musically. The album goes back to form with Prince Charming, which finds Bronson in a much more serious mood (for him at least) with a mellow loop of crooning in the background, Action even sings out himself on the song. The album winds down with the braggadocios Picasso’s Ear, which is nothing more than a flex for anybody who wants to hear. The album closes out appropriately with the upbeat and hard hitting Swerve On Em, with a great feature by fellow New York star artist A$AP Rocky. The track gives off a nostalgic feel of the datpiff.com mixtape era, from which Bronson and Rocky respectively grew their diverse fan bases. Relaxing, fun, yet still technical, the close out is consistent as the opening.
While Action Bronson may not be discussed regularly in the upper echoleon of MC’s, his base recognizes his talent and consistency, which will always keep him relevant in the hip-hop landscape. White Bronco is a high quality look into the perspective of a rapper who has his own lane and doesn’t need to adapt to help his career. Action Bronson remains as brash, confident and entertaining as ever; necessary for an era of rap that sometimes forgets to put the fans first.
Top 5 Songs:
1. Irishman Freestyle
2. Live from the Moon
3. Prince Charming
4. White Bronco
5. Picasso’s Ear