#multi alumni

Big K.R.I.T. / K.R.I.T. IZ HERE Studio Album  / June 7, 2019

Big K.R.I.T. has always been one of my absolute favorite artists because of his incredibly versatile talent but also because he is so consistent. He has never put out a bad album. His last album, 2019′s K.R.I.T. IZ HERE, was noticeably different from many of his previous albums because it was the first time that he did not produce the entirety or even the majority of the album. I still thought it was a very good album though it does not stack up against my favorites of his like 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. His latest album, Digital Roses Don’t Die, is even more different than K.R.I.T. IZ HERE and any other album that he has done before. Big K.R.I.T. sings for most of the album; there is some rapping but most of the album is melody-driven. I don’t know about if K.R.I.T. produced on the album or not but either way, the production is also extremely different as it is much more subdued and stripped back. It may be very different but it is still true to the Big K.R.I.T. sound. I have always loved his singing voice but at the same time, this album is not exactly what I wanted from him. Because he is so consistent, I expect a certain sound from him but I guess that is on me as a consumer. I like that he chose to make an album that is different as I like his singing. Don’t get me wrong, this album is good; very good in fact. My first impression of this album was not a great one which for me was odd because I have always instantly loved a Big K.R.I.T. album on first listen. This one took many listens for me to warm up to. I think the main thing that turned me off at first was the fact that he sang for most of the album but it was also the production. I like the production but the fact that every beat is pretty stripped back made a lot of these songs sound the same. The melodies were good and the hooks were super catchy and it made the album enjoyable to listen to but I felt that the production could have used a little more variety in some areas. What helps this album a lot is that there is a lot of variety in the tempos of each song and the overall sound is very cohesive, along with K.R.I.T.’s singing abilities and the rapping when there is some. My favorite beat on the album is definitely So Cool. That beat is very stripped back but it has a nice groove as well as a cool switch on the hook. It’s a very slick love song and I love it as he raps and sings on it. I just wish it was longer. I understand that this album is very much influenced by love, hence the heavy emphasis on singing. I understand the title in that roses tie into the vibe of the album but I guess these songs also are understood in the context of a digital age of love so maybe that is why digital roses don’t die. I am glad that K.R.I.T. tried to do something different as this album is very good. I do think it could have been better though as he has made better songs where he sings.