Album Review // Lil Yachty // Let's Start Here

Concrete Records

On the aptly titled Let's Start Here, former Soundcloud rap star Lil Yachty sets out to prove he is more than a questionable hip-hop trend. As he explained at the album's premiere, he no longer wishes to be equated with the widely maligned "mumble-rap" genre; instead, he wants to show music fans from all walks of life that he has a larger vision. There's certainly no mistaking that after a single listen of his new record, it is a step towards something new for the artist that falls just short of great.

After opening track "The Black Seminole," one of the first comparisons made by listeners was to current psychedelic indie-rock act Tame Impala; fortunately, Let's Start Here is more than Yachty simply singing over karaoke tracks. With co-writers like Alex G and Mac DeMarco at his side ("Failure," "Drive Me Crazy!"), Yachty taps into something inspired not only by Pink Floyd, but by classic jazz and funk acts as well. In fact, rapping aside (which may be the only point of contention here), Let's Start Here would fit in nicely somewhere between Tyler, the Creator's last three records. Yachty's interest in singing with extensive vocal effects is not always the most fitting choice, but considering his intentions, it's hard not to admire the artist's ambition here.