Summary:The third full-length release for the Detroit rapper features Ab-Soul, A$AP Rocky, Charli XCX, Freddie Gibbs, Purity Ring, Schoolboy Q, Scrufizzer, and Zelooperz as guests.
Old is Brown’s best work. Complex beyond its two-sided structure, it is filled with narratives that collide, sentiments that conflict and resolutions that come to nothing.
At 19 tracks, Old can get a little taxing, as if Brown, in an effort to be expansive, just decided to be everything all at once.... But you’ll forget about that once you realize that Handstand‘s beat is a dizzying tornado of synth and buzz that’s unlike anything you’ve heard before.
This strained affair makes the party rocking simplicity of 2 Chainz or even LMFAO look absolutely artful. Brown's too smart to make music this dumb effectively. [Nov 2013, p.66]
Too many hipsters posting reviews. The fact is the first side is deep, the second side is dope. One pushes the mind to the limit with itsToo many hipsters posting reviews. The fact is the first side is deep, the second side is dope. One pushes the mind to the limit with its lyricism and intense story telling, it pushes emotions with its down to earth roots. The second half pushes hip-hop as a music genre to the limit with its twisted edm influenced trap beats, Dip sounds like a club banger from the future. The second half listen to when you party, listen to it when you are on your own, its still great, you aren't looking for lyricism on those songs, you are looking for flows, and verbal attacks (hence Scrufizzer as a feature, the unique beat choices. The first half just happens to also be produced extremely will for what it is.…Expand
There is no bad song on this album. Probably the best work Danny Brown has ever done (and this is coming from a fan who thought he would neverThere is no bad song on this album. Probably the best work Danny Brown has ever done (and this is coming from a fan who thought he would never be able to top XXX)…Expand
To be quite honest, when I first heard of danny brown was when I was listening to Ab-Soul's Control System album on the song titled "TerroristTo be quite honest, when I first heard of danny brown was when I was listening to Ab-Soul's Control System album on the song titled "Terrorist Threats". Hearing Danny's verse for the first time wowed me. After that I decided to listen to his solo work and found out about his mixtape called "XXX". For the most part I enjoyed danny's rapping and the instrumentals but somehow the mixtape didn't click with me. Then here comes his new album called "Old". My first reaction while listening to the entire thing surprised me, what I enjoyed most about this album compared to his mixtape "XXX" is that I felt Old was a more structured album with better rapping and instrumentals compared to "XXX". Another thing I also enjoyed about Old is that the album is split into 2 halfs. Side A talks more about his past growing up in Detroit while Side B shows danny's wild side with crazy EDM styled bangers. I recommend you listen to this album ASAP, you won't be disappointed.…Expand
This is a very good album by Danny Brown. Lyrically it spans the range between really serious and really braggadocios and outrageous (I didThis is a very good album by Danny Brown. Lyrically it spans the range between really serious and really braggadocios and outrageous (I did take issue with the trite brag raps that demean women). Brown He sounds good and he paints pictures very well. This album is not a classic, but as far as new/contemporary rap goes, Danny Brown stands out above many of the rest. Kendrick Lamar is currently the best rapper alive and there just doesn't seem to be anyone on his level of being both melodically and lyrically special. (Eminem is the best rhymer alive and paints a picture very well, although his stories are just not that interesting in general unless you are a hip-hop fan). But Danny Brown tries to capture a hard east coast sound and he does it very well. There are no classic songs on this album, but 12 out of the 19 songs are satisfactory to very good. I look forward to future albums from Danny Brown. This album is one for fans of Mceeing.…Expand
Old is another elite alternative rap album from Danny Brown, following the release of XXX. For a 19-track album, there are very few weakOld is another elite alternative rap album from Danny Brown, following the release of XXX. For a 19-track album, there are very few weak spots. Every song is at very least pretty good. The production is ridiculously on point. ~ 8.2/10
I couldn't decide on a best song, as there are so many great ones.
Although this album did not live up to its predecessor, Old can still be enjoyed as a conscious/crazy hip-hop album to enjoy. Danny continuesAlthough this album did not live up to its predecessor, Old can still be enjoyed as a conscious/crazy hip-hop album to enjoy. Danny continues to impress even if its at a slower pace. I still fall in the fan section for this one.…Expand
The King of Rap Realism did not quite bring it on this one. Mostly, the album is way too long, so much full, and it gets trying to go throughThe King of Rap Realism did not quite bring it on this one. Mostly, the album is way too long, so much full, and it gets trying to go through the whole thing; that's not good. There are some standout tracks, like the very, very underrated "Wonderbread," which can be seen as the embodiment of Realism in rap. Of course there are the bangers and the Jams, but overall, this album is too much. Sadly it was the best rap album in 2013.…Expand