The Chicago native was ready to release his new project for a long time, but his album was repeatedly put on the shelf by his record label.
A number of album title changes and a and a public demonstration later Lupe emerges with Lasers, an album that is not as good a package as Lupe Fiasco's the Cool, but still has it's high points and winning moments.
Thankfully the bulk of the album still has compelling material that Lupe is known for. Stylistically, he has the ability to blend witty societal and political critical rhymes alongside catchy hooks and hypnotizing beats. In that regard Lupe hasn't missed a beat. Just look to the second single "Words I Never Said" in which Lupe starts off "I think your war on terror is a bunch of bullshit/just a poor excuse to use up all your bullets." In the same lane are the great "Beautiful Lasers" and "All Black Everything," the latter an imagining of a world where the African slave trade never existed.
A nice standout is the whimsical "When I Get There" that is rife with sound effects, imagery and is reminiscent of "Superstar," the first single from The Cool.
A couple forgettable tracks on are on here which is why the album feels a bit flat in comparison to Lupe's last effort. There wasn't a dull moment on The Cool, even if High Definition feat. Snoop Dogg seemed out of place on that album. The Cool was rolled up into a package and its tracks delivered in a way that was unforgettable. After the last song faded, it left you with a clear message about the fallacy of a life built on flash, ignorance, pomp and a lack of tangible values and substance.
Lasers, while holding on to some of the message from The Cool album seems to be lacking a clear target.
If fans were expecting another solid concept album, this isn't it. Lasers instead feels mostly like a cry of frustration from an artist locked in mortal combat with the world, and his record label.
Words and Illustration by Ken Francis
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