Kanye West

[LoathedVermin72]

I've only listened once, so I'm gonna need some more time to absorb it. But, sonically, it certainly feels in line with the other stuff we've heard from the album ("All Day" and "Fade"). I feel like I get the sound he's going for, and I already love it.

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to hate this song (and album). It seems like he's using a lot of repetition and exaggerated vocal tics. But a lot of people hated Yeezus too.

[Kevin Davis]

I will be curious to see how much of the already-released material actually ends up on the album. The way these tracks are coming out reminds me of how he was releasing the "GOOD Friday" tracks back in 2010 (only that was at a much steadier clip), and only a couple of those ended up on the "MBDTF" that fall, and even then they were in some kind of alternate form.

In any case, I didn't dislike it -- I just miss the intense, dynamic musicianship of his best work. He says in this song something like, "I ain't dropped my album, but the shoes went platinum," and that's kind of the bottom line here. This sounds like music by someone for whom music-making has become secondary to designing clothing.

I should go back and listen to the other tracks he's released over the last year or so. Are they collected somewhere? I have forgotten most of them.

[Teeeeeekay]

Someone should quickly put that list together.

[LoathedVermin72]

I can't speak for this track yet, but I definitely don't think "All Day" or "Fade" sound half-assed in any way. Some of his finest craftsmanship is in those songs. And based on everything I've heard, it sounds like he is pouring huge amounts of work and time into this record. I think the reason it hasn't come out in so long is because he's being an obsessive perfectionist about it.

[Kevin Davis]

I can't speak for this track yet, but I definitely don't think "All Day" or "Fade" sound half-assed in any way. Some of his finest craftsmanship is in those songs. And based on everything I've heard, it sounds like he is pouring huge amounts of work and time into this record. I think the reason it hasn't come out in so long is because he's being an obsessive perfectionist about it.

Hopefully that's the case. I remember really liking "All Day." Like I said, I need to go back and listen to those tracks again (I'm actually not sure I heard all of them the first time around).

Have you heard the "GOOD Friday" tracks, LV? Some of them are pretty cool.

[verb_to_trust]

Lyrically its more what I would expect from the spouse of a Kardashian not Kanye West. It not BAD but I really hope this isnt an album track because its just not good enough. All Day was good enough for a painfully slow reveal but this is not.

Verb out

[verb_to_trust]

Anybody recognize the sample he scotch taped at the beginning and end the song?

[Kaius]

Considering he's referencing very recent events, is it not safe to assume he probably didn't obsess over the making of this track? I don't know. Pretty weak overall.

[Mecca]

Considering he's referencing very recent events, is it not safe to assume he probably didn't obsess over the making of this track? I don't know. Pretty weak overall.

definitely seems like a spur of the moment track

[Mecca]

Anybody recognize the sample he scotch taped at the beginning and end the song?

Street Fighter?

[LoathedVermin72]

Someone should quickly put that list together.

Below are all tracks released (or leaked) after the release of Yeezus, in order of release/leak.

"Only One" feat. Paul McCartney:



"FourFiveSeconds" feat. Rihanna & Paul McCartney (this is now officially considered a Rihanna song):



"Wolves" feat. Sia & Vic Mensa (Has not been officially released - performed live on SNL. This may not be the complete song, though, as it was performed as part of a medley):



"All Day" feat. Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom, & Paul McCartney:



"Fade" feat. Post Malone & Ty Dolla $ign (Has not been officially released. This was the best video I could find. Wish the obnoxious DJ would shut the fuck up.):



"Facts":

[Kevin Davis]

Thanks for putting that together, LV -- will revisit soon.

[Kevin Davis]

"Only One" -- I really hated this when it dropped, but it sounded better today -- reading along with the lyrics for a first listen is always a mistake. The song is heartfelt and well-composed, and the melody takes some pleasurable turns. Not major stuff, but I could see it making a poignant album closer.

"FourFiveSeconds" -- this is a minor pop masterpiece, but I can see why Rihanna would have dibs on it. Nevertheless, Kanye's parts are to-the-point and powerful, and having McCartney there just adds a certain gravitas that I can't deny, even if all he's doing is strumming a few chords. I really like Rihanna.

"Wolves" -- this felt sketch-like to me (which makes sense based on your description), though it sounded nice. Kanye seems like more of a musical director here, a bandleader in the Miles Davis mold, than a traditional frontman -- an interesting turn.

"All Day" -- this is pretty clearly the most fleshed-out tune of this bunch, and probably the clearest link between his current music and what people traditionally identify as his signature sound. It falls just short of the sweet spot for me, but I like it quite a bit. A worthy single.

"Fade" -- I found it hard to make out what all was happening in this song, though I could register enough to be intrigued. Hopefully a better-quality version emerges at some point.

"Facts" -- see earlier posts. Not bad, but feels tossed off. It reminds me of one of those tracks stuffed in the middle of "Late Registration" that I always skip but find myself pleasantly surprised by when it comes up on shuffle.

Overall I feel like this is a mongrel-ish collection of okay-to-very-good songs that touch on all elements of Kanye's repertoire, but which are going to need some unifying threads (and at least a few more "anchor" tracks) if they're all going to meaningfully share space on one album. I remain positive, and confident in the thought that he wouldn't be giving all the best stuff away up front.

[VinylGuy]

Only One, fourFiveSeconds and Facts are my favorites.

Still, i really want him to expand more, im not interested on another Yeezus.

[verb_to_trust]

The longer this Swish thing drags out the more people it is going to end up disappointing.

[LoathedVermin72]

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN??!

[Kevin Davis]

I'm no genius but it looks to me like Kim Kardashian has some new music coming out this Friday.

[epilogue]

And as soon as it comes out she's going to light herself on fire!

[VinylGuy]

New songs about the money he is making with the sneakers.

[LoathedVermin72]

BOOM

http://www119.zippyshare.com/v/MnWfGJiw/file.html