Lasers [CD]

Sure enough, this album is worth buying. It's Lupe, after all! From the singles that were released, 'The Show Goes On' and 'Words I Never Said', I was expecting something quite edgy and moody from Lupe, however when I listened to 'Lasers' this was far from what I expected. If you're a Lupe fan, you probably know the history towards the eventual release of 'Lasers' - Atlantic Records was going to prevent him from releasing this, but after all the fan support the record label had no option but allow it to be made.

Consequently, the album is ultimately a quite radical direction from Lupe, possibly because of the intervening of the company forcing him to make his music 'appeal to the crowd' (in other words, become more mainstream). An example is arguably the worst track on the LP, 'State Run Radio', which sounds nothing like Lupe would have made and, while the production is stellar on this track and the rest of the album, has too much of a dance-pop feel. The chorus is embarrassing for an artist that once maintained mainstream popularity whilst staying true to its roots, and 'Lasers' has an abundance of them.

Another track that divides my opinion is 'Break the Chain'. The production is stark and dark, and Eric Turner turns a repetitive chorus into something that is quite haunting to listen to. But again, this has a different sound to anything Lupe has done before. You wouldn't find this kind of track on his previous classics, such as The Cool and Food and Liquor.

Despite this, there are many positives that save this album, and it is probably one of the strongest rap albums being released this year. One of my favourite tracks, 'All Black Everything', has the same signature sound and feel of the Old Lupe, with a wonderfully opulent Kanye West-type of production. There are signs that he is not a completely different rapper. 'The Show Goes On' proves the level of production found on 'Lasers', a crowding-pleasing lead single that comes off as a bit too 'poppy' but really works. 'Words I Never Said' is wonderful, with up-and-coming Skylar Grey offering a introspective but powerful hook that combines perfectly with Alex Da Kid's sound of hard drum beats and hallow-sounding production. 'Letting Go' sounds like it could have been on The Cool, despite the extremely annoying chorus undermining its production. 'Till I Get There' is great and reminds me of the Old Lupe and his early days. 'I Don't Wanna Go Right Now' continues to illustrate the album's direction towards dance themes and production. It works in this case, despite sounding extremely commercial and mainstream, only if it is because it has one of the best choruses on the album. Personally, I don't like 'Beautiful Lasers' - it is overproduced and the autotune chorus doesn't do it for me. It sounds too electronica for me as well (We gotta get back to hip hop, Lupe!). 'Coming Up!' has a good beat, but again, the sound itself is a little tame and is just too pop-sounding. The same can be said for 'Never Forget You'. While I really like John Legend, even he can't save the annoying chorus and sickly-sweet production and pop vibe.

It's funny how the last two songs, 'I'm Beaming' and 'Shining Down', are actually some of the best songs on the album. The songs were produced a while back when the future of 'Lasers' was uncertain, but they sound exactly like Lupe's previous work. The sound is classic Lupe. 'I'm Beaming' is futuristic and has a great hook, and despite being dance-inspired it doesn't sound like Lupe had to change his music style. 'Shining Down' features the excellent Matthew Santos, who contributes to an emotional and unforgettable chorus. It has a great build up and beat that should have been the blueprint to how 'Lasers' should have sounded like.

However, 'Lasers' should be applauded for even getting released considering how long it took for negotiations to be made, and despite the hold-ups and delays it has turned out not a complete disaster. It doesn't live up to the hype unfortunately, and is no doubt Lupe's worst album (I think the high expectations of others and myself should have had its long production delays and fights taken into account). But this is overall a very good, surprisingly pleasant rap album that will be far superior than anything most rap artists will come out with anytime soon.

3.5/5

I'm really disappointed. It's not that Lasers is a bad album, it's pretty good, it's just that compared to Food and Liquor and The Cool it really can't compete.

Lupe is still on form, with classy lyrics and clever rhymes. The main problem is the beats that go with his lyrics. Over produced pop for the most part, with choruses that would sound more at home on a Tinchy Stryder album. It also lacks much in the way of good guest vocals. Sway is a great inclusion, but no one else stands out.

I like this album, but I don't love it. I expected more.

If you haven't already, please get his first two albums before this.

Lupe Fiasco's `Lasers' starts strongly with the opening three tracks a clear indication the Lupe fiasco should be regarded as one of the best in the game. The transition that Lupe has made from 'The Cool' is obvious and the opening track plays on the slightly auto-tuned lyrics that have been witnessed on Kanye West's most recent outing, and I cant help but notice other similarities throughout this album. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however if it was a contest, Lupe would come in a close second.

That said, the second track 'Words I never said' is perhaps the best song on the whole album with strong vocals from every major hip hop artists new favourite feature artist, Skylar Grey. The combination of strong vocals and a social commentary on topics such as politics, terrorism and growing up in the hood demonstrates Lupe at his best. Lupe notes 'just listenin to Pac, ain't goin make it stop' when discussing life in the hood and questions the governments role in 9/11 with the line '9/11, building 7, did they reali pull it, and a bunch of other cover-ups''.

'Till I get there' switches things up again with a softer tone that is catchy and nice to listen to. This track demonstrates the versatility of Lupe who is not bound in the constraints of one particular style. What's more, this is best demonstrated with the next track 'I don't wanna care right now' which raises the tempo again and is set to be a hit on dance floors everywhere.

Tracks 5-9 are by no means album fillers, however nothing stand outs as particularly special. Of these tracks my favourite is 'State run radio' which is slightly let down by a repeated chorus 'and over again...and over again', however this is only a minor gripe. 'Beautiful Lasers' is let down by the chorus which is drawn out and not suited to the fast paced flow that Lupe generates, as well as the auto-tune style notably hurting my ears when turned up loud, it worked for Kanye, it doesn't work here.
`The show goes on' is a positive feel good track that will satisfy female listeners in particular.

Make no mistakes about it, the album ends as it starts. tracks 10-12 are the perfect combination of head nodding beats, catch hooks and strong lyrical output. 'Break the chain' delivers on all levels and gets the blood flowing and pulse racing. 'All black everything' is classic Lupe with a style recognisable to the one witnessed on 'The Cool'. The haunting vocals in the background add to the ambiance of the track and Lupes alternative view of history is a rare glimpse of the creativity that we know Lupe is able to produce. 'Never forget you' featuring vocals from John Legend is a fitting end to the album with a positive view of the world and image of hope and the future being 'bright' in a world of corrupt politicians and violence.

All in all, Lupe has produced perhaps his finest work to date. The album is radio friendly and more commercial than previous albums, a trait I would usually consider to be damaging to the final output. However, here it works and Lupe becomes all the more relevant and will gain more air play which is no bad feat. Lupe brings his observations of the world and mixes it perfectly with the featured vocalists on the album. It may not be a masterpiece but it certainly inspires and I cannot recommend it enough.