The Cool Kids – BEFORE SHIT GOT WEIRD [LP]

The Cool Kids are back with a new album called BEFORE SHIT GOT WEIRD and it thankfully does not disappoint. This project has every classic element that made us fans of the duo back in 2007: solid beats, tight flows, and great collaborations with other dope emcees. It’s a rare thing for a group as hectic and fun-loving as The Cool Kids to release something so tightly focused on their signature sound while still bringing in newer elements that have been honed through years of collaboration.

This latest offering is an incredibly energetic, full-tilt party where everything’s going off. Its focus isn’t to simply create a string of clubby hooks or catchy choruses so much as to make the listener feel as if they’re being whisked away on a crazy joyride. Key cut “TOO BAD” is an energy-building track with a fun beat, kinetic flows from both Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish, and great creative assists from Pell and celebrated DJ A-Trak. The beauty of this cut is that it does not seek to reinvent the wheel, but instead aims to be a fun, feel-good jam for all listeners to get into.

Another favorite is “LOW SODIUM” –  a spacey and soulful offering that has the two-man team linking up with Chance The Rapper to deliver an anti-saltiness, “Don’t hate…congratulate!” anthem that flows like a laidback smoker’s theme. And the JID and 6LACK assisted “LIGHTWERK” is another head-nodder that sticks the landing when it comes to mixing in a nice dose of sample-driven nostalgia with the sparse, 808 driven sound that the group does so damn well.

Other highlights include a stirring crew cut called “TRIUMPH, PT. 2” (which features Don Cannon and Pac Div), and pair of uprocking, 80’s era callbacks called “IT’S YOURS, PT. 2”, and “HIBACHI”, and a bumpin’ bit of Cali-soaked G-funk called “All Or Nothing” (featuring the constantly cool Larry June). You can listen to (and buy) the album via the links listed below as well as catch up on the latest music and news from The Cool Kids by making sure that you’re connected to them via the social links listed below.

7/10 – Very Good
This is an album where the reviewer really enjoys the majority of the tracks and still finds it compelling even after multiple listens. Listeners will probably be listening to this album fairly regularly for at least a month or until something the same or better comes along. Even after that, the listener will most likely revisit the album a few times during the year.

Stream & buy The Cool Kids’ music on…
( Amazon | Apple_Music | Bandcamp | Deezer | Spotify | Tidal | YouTube_Music )

Connect with The Cool Kids on…
( Facebook | Instagram | Official_Site | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube )