Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, SoundCloud trapper from Stockholm, Sweden, releases his fourth studio album, distributed by the independent label YEAR0001. A past of drugs and music surrounds this emo-faced guy who has colored pins in his face, I think. Since mid-May, when this record was overhyped, I've been asking myself: "will this tape by Yung Lean really be worth listening to?" The answer is a predictable and strong "no!"
From the very first song, he sounds fake and bad, he doesn't sound "real" in an attempt to make an emotional album, the whole project quickly turns out to be something assembled simply to grind copies, streams and visuals (with little success). He's undecided in the style of delivery, performing in mumble, singing, slow rhythmic rap, whispering and chanting: unfortunately for the listener, he can neither sing nor rapping — a defect that many amateurs have who decide to pursue a career in music on internet like this guy: usually there is someone helping them, not here — and he ends up sounding lazy and corny, completely devoid of personality.
The lyrics are almost worse than singing, most of the time I struggle to understand what he's trying to mumble, the record is mostly made up of tracks that are all-hook, this tape is too long, sleepy and exhausting, loud and random, it all sounds the same from start to finish. The only real help comes from Whitearmor's beats, which are pretty decent, a bit ambient, a bit trap, light, does a fairly accessible job (the title track and final track are the best choices).
Despite this, the overall result is questionable in the end. By questionable, I mean I'm undecided whether to call it the worst album of the year or just one of the worst. Whitearmor's work isn't bad, if instead of Yung Lean there had been a dude, I don't mean capable or professional, but even just your generic MC, he would have made a nearly decent record.
Rating: 2.5/10.
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