By Randall Elvin · Staff Writer
“Kanye is back and a little unpolished, but nothing is perfect, nobody can bat a thousand,” junior Max Turner shared.
Kanye West, the architect of multiple era-defining albums, a multi-Grammy winner and one of the most influential producers of the 21st century, returns to the spotlight for all the right reasons.
Even amid high controversy, unpredictability and long gaps between releases, he still tops chart performance and streaming platforms. On March 28, Kanye dropped his latest album, “Bully,” on his website. Later, it hit streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, making it available to most listeners. “Bully” was highly anticipated, and his fans love it.
From the start, the album feels raw and leans into minimalistic production, dark tones and abrupt transitions. The project feels more like a collection of many ideas instead of a polished, clean album. Lyrically, his topics range from isolation, power, perception and redemption. Most of the time, it feels like he’s trying to convey his message of Kanye vs. the world, even alluding to another tension of Kanye versus himself.
If you only had time for one track on the new album, “ALL THE LOVE” is the most complete song. With beautiful production, an addictive hook and genuine emotion, this song is the true Kanye. The thematic music reminds listeners of one of his most popular songs, “Flashing Lights.” Both songs have smooth, cinematic production filled with multiple layers. This style can be hard to name, especially considering how the music makes you feel, but it is incredibly similar in vibe to “Les” by Childish Gambino.
But this song doesn’t just sound powerful, it’s also powerful on a lyrical level. It listens like a response to everything Kanye is trying to leave behind.
In the wake of multiple bipolar manic episodes, he has apologized repeatedly and shows understanding of how he hurt various communities.
On this song, he says, “We don’t have to worry, and we don’t have to hold on to pain we left behind, wounds get healed with time and now you get all the love and all the shine.” As Kanye sings those lyrics, he leans into the idea of being released from the past and moving beyond the pain.
Another strong song is “Father,” which features one of the greatest artists of our generation, Travis Scott. His presence fits the same dark undertone tempo that captures the track and album tone. Kanye and Travis love collaborating and truly bring the energy to the album with this release.
Still, “BULLY” struggles with consistency. A few songs lean too far into chaos and ideas that don’t fully come together. Many tracks feel unfinished, with underdeveloped hooks and rough-sounding verses.
This inconsistency mirrors Kanye’s current place in the world of entertainment. Controversy follows Kanye no matter where he goes or what he says.
“Bully is stronger than his most recent, a tribute to his old album. He can’t be where he once was, but it’s a love letter to his old album, hitting back to his roots,” longtime Kanye fan and sophomore Cole Gartner said. “Obviously, he’s had mental health problems, but this is the start of him getting his priorities right.”
The album artwork does a lot of heavy lifting in displaying what the album is like. It immediately suggests aggression, conflict and boldness. The title suggests that “BULLY” is how Kanye feels the world is treating him.
If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to pull it up on Google or Spotify, and while you’re at it, give Kanye’s music, and himself, another chance.
