Danny Brown is so ahead of his time it's insane. He'll go down as one of the greatest. very sharp with his flow and delivery. very good lyrics and he seems to never run out of ideas. he's the type of MC that keeps you on your toes. Probably the most original artist in hip-hop, but i feel like his sound is a perfect mix between ODB and Cypress Hill… just my opinion. I give "Old" an 8/10.
Danny said on the Reddit AMA that he put "twerk tracks" in his album because most of his income is from concerts so naturally he needed quite a few party songs.
These two albums are kind of like a cycle, or a day in the life of Danny Brown. XXX was starting at the ending of the night leading the beginning of the day and the starting of Old is the ending of the day going to the ending of the night. They kind of follow a cycle that shows how his days are currently for him reflecting on his past mistakes and such during the sober/hangover parts of the albums and why he enjoys partying in the party parts on the album. This shows his two different personalities, the side burdened with his memories and the side escaping the horrors of his past.
+slap n pop BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT
@@BradTasteInMusicOfficial YOU FELL OFF LIKE TOM SELLECK IN A CELICA. BITCH GAVE ME BRAIN FOR THE HELL OF IT, BUT TO HER IT'S HEAVEN EVEN IF SHE GETS A SMELL OF IT
LOVED IT. 9/10 it has so many different types of tracks that i can listen to it no matter what mood I am in. The beats are amazing. Danny Browns flow & change in voice and tone through out the album is so interesting, keeps me listening to the project over and over.
Honestly though I think Danny Brown is one of the realest rappers there are. He is different but a good kind of different. It's rappers like him and Kendrick who are the saviors of new school hip hop.
I thought Kush Coma was an amazing song just because it sounds so good, even though Rocky doesn't fit the song at all. The backing and Danny's flow were just perfect together.
I don't know, for whatever reason I put on headphones and it just feels good, the intro specifically when it does that "dundundundundundundun" and sort of "explodes" into the beat. The chorus yeah, pretty weak, but the song itself is just sort of trippy and fun for me. Edit : I'm relistening now and I guess other than the intro I really didn't like it all that much, but I feel like Rocky's section was just weird, more aimless than the song itself, and that moaning gets old. I really don't expect much out of choruses anymore though. I do feel like it is too long enough to sort of ruin the energy, especially with like I said Rocky's sort of slow chill delivery randomly slowing it down between Danny's verses which are a bit more intense with the release of the chorus where it gets a little floaty, but yeah the chorus is pretty substanceless. Also the thematic of the "kush coma" as a temporary reprieve but not an actual fix to his "real problems" is cool and introspective-esque, but he doesn't really meaningful way but sort of mentioned in passing in the lyrics. So yeah I just like how it sounds, I can see why it wouldn't be pick of the litter on a solid album.
I am enamoured with the production on Red 2 Go. A bit disappointed that Anthony didn't mention it as I think it's one of the strongest tracks on this album as it absolutely sprays you over the face.
I think the biggest assets Danny has are his voice control and the ability to adapt his flows and lyrics to fit the beats. He is a pretty versatile artist and that's why the album ahs a replay value for me...every song brings something different, not saying every song is a as good as the other... but I think he really reflects his personality perfectly on his albums, that's why he quickly became one of my favorite rappers, He might even crack my Top 5, certainly top 10... the only downside to the album is that the beats sometimes are too much, they overshadow the lyrics... otherwise top 5 album of 2013 for me, but it just can't knock Unconsious state off my number 1 spot
hahaha you're welcome man! i'm just trying to get the word out! i've been a JC fan for 2, maybe 3 years now and I'm just getting the word out there for this dope artist, did the same for Kdot before he was famous, and i'm hoping this guy blows up in the same fashion
You nailed the album here Anthony. I had a lot of the same thoughts about it. How Side A - Red 2 Go and Side B - Float On are basically like two different albums, the more introspective and critical Danny Brown vs the drugged-up, party Danny Brown. I was initially drawn in by the second half just because of how catchy some of the instrumentals are, like the descending bass on Way Up Here and the grooves on Break It (Go) and those opening lines on Handstand. "I will eat on them pajamas Bite all on it like piranha When it comes to that vagina Baby girl you could be my diner" While the songs on the second half have such catchy production and tone they're pretty weak compared to the first half. That line about his daughter calling him on Clean Up gets me every time I hear it. My friends aren't as fond of his more mellow, spoken-word tone but I think those are the moments his lyrics shine through the best. One thing I want to disagree with you on, the last track Float On works really well as a closer for me. It feels like a sober moment at the end of a long night of partying. He references back to tracks on the first half like Wonderbread and has this clarity and calm that relaxes me after all those trap songs. It shows a very human side of Danny Brown. Not the hungry and determined one from 30 but one that is vulnerable and unsure of himself. He wants so many things yet it seems he has to sacrifice them for the sake of staying relevant. Good review though. I'd give the album an 8/10 myself. I'm planning to see Danny Brown when he comes to Orlando, should be a good time.
It's a real grower TBH. Digging in to it, for me, revealed more to appreciate than is apparent on first listen. Felt like the descent into drug-fuelled hedonism after all that self-reflection is an interesting reversal and there's a kinda manic energy that turns the party vibes into a bad trip.
Danny Brown is truly the most versatile rapper in the game today. The way he can deliver so many different flows and messages on each song it makes the album long lasting and much more enjoyable. Even if you dont like Dannys crazy side, one can still respect the passion and delivery he puts on each track, whether a party track or an introspective track. Props to the Hybrid on this one
holy shit lol. if fantano was talking about a song with both danny brown and charli xcx in 2021, like he was at 12:00, it would look so different lmao. two artists with albums of the year. nobody knew at the time where either artist was heading though haha but yeah, imagine a 2021-danny brown and a 2021-charli xcx collab. that would be nuts
Tweek Tweak lonely and torture are my favorite beats on this album. The beat on torture was so good that i felt like the beat just HAD to be sampled. So i did some research and it turns out there was a sample lol.. anyway still dope
After listening to this album a couple of times, I really did get a sort of cinematic feel from the album's arrangement that worked for me. It came off as a sort of biopic album, chronicling Danny's past life on the streets and then his present self, where the partying and drugs are consistent methods of coping with his horrifying past, and you hear the references of that in Side B. I did feel like some of Side B did get a bit repetitive and one dimensional as well, especially after just hearing most of those songs during his set at Bumbershoot where his job was seemingly just to crowd-please trap rap fans. But I felt the album was a cool experience, and Float On actually is one of my favorite tracks of this year, because of its closure to the album and just a strong beat, hook, and lyrical content. Strong 7 to light 8.
I'm a newb, I just subscribed to the Needle Drop and I'm not really into hip hop (especially newer hip hop) but I do look forward to some of your reviews, you do a hell of a job. Music is my life and since there's absolutely nothing about music on television anymore, this Needle Drop is almost like a breath of fresh air. Ty Segall's new band "Fuzz" just released their new record and hopefully you review that record. I'm also going to see Fuzz in two weeks.
quite interesting, as danny said on the reddit ama that he was looking forward to your review. wonder what his feeling will be. i think ultimately you're right, as the "banger" section is more instantly gratifying than those on XXX which had a subtlety of disclosure underneath all of the filth. keep up the good work bruh bruh.
At first I hated $25. But I focused more on the lyrics and it's real shit. Danny has nasty lyricism on his singles and xxx. So I had to like old. Don't forget terrorist threats with ab-soul either
I don't know why, but even when you give an album a good rating, it still feels as if it was almost bad. That's just the level of detail you put into your reviews. There are things you talk about that I never catch, but when I listen to it again, I can understand where you coming from. BTW love you for shouting out Rap Genius. Not enough people know about it in my opinion.
It's unfortunate "ODB" didn't end the album as Danny originally intended. It definitely mirrored "30" as far as an unorthodox beat alongside a frenzied flow.
Great reviews on Danny Brown's albums. My buddy has been telling me since just before Old dropped to give him a listen and I finally took the initiative a few weeks back and have been giving both Thirty and Old listens. Your review of Thirty really put that albums concept into perspective for me. That got me thinking about Old and I have come to a conclusion. With Old, the album title itself tells you that Danny feels like a lot of things in his life are getting old and are old. He is getting old. This party rapper image that has caught on is old to him. We all know that Danny isn't some dude riding the spotlight; trying to get an easy paycheck from white kids with some new hot single. He is an artist and he takes his work seriously. He knows he can't be taken seriously in the long run if he continues to live this crazy persona that has caught on. So with old, he starts the first half on a darker, serious tone. With this album compared to Thirty, I feel like things are lyrically more investing and the serious songs are much more robust and interesting. With the second half of Old, he starts the album with Dope Song, which he claims to be his last big dope song. Following that is a series of lack-luster party songs that, when compared to the same style songs on the second half of Thirty, feel less alive and fruitful. I think this is because he is essentially weeding people off of his party songs, much like addicts of hard drugs are slowly weeded off their addictions. He wants the listener to invest and love the first half while loosing interest in the second half. This is all cemented by the album closer, which he explains his perspective on his career and life. Both Old and Thirty are equally amazing in conception in my opinion. Danny Brown is one creative motherfucker.
Think about how Danny went from XXX which is crazy and zany to begin with, to Old, slightly less zany but innovative with Danny’s style, to blowing it all out of the water with Atrocity Exhibition which is somehow crazier than XXX. Then uknowhatimsayin which tones down beautifully. Just an amazing artist who knows how to make albums
i always found that funny especially since XXX had the line "weavin kicks n snares tryna dodge these hooks" to then turn around for most of these tracks and be hella reliable on hooks :///
I kinda agree, I read on complex that he purpossfully made those Trap influenced "bangers" for his live shows. Cause he sees himself not only as an artist but also as a product that he needs to sell. That seems about right, I love this album and think it is somewhat on par with XXX. But I would love to hear just a whole dark/gritty album of his one day when this Trap fad has passed. :)
I really can't fuck with this album. There are some records on this joint that are really great. Lyrical, introspective, hard hitting, ECT. And then there are songs that sound like fucking Waka Flocka would make. He has potential but he really can't flip flop to much
I consider myself a huge Danny Brown supporter because I really like his music, his style, and just him as a person. "XXX" was great... Like that was the shit, but there were somethings about "Old" that you felt could've been better and I think what Anthony was saying about the album overall was 100% true. The album was a nice listen and worth recommending, but it didn't blow me away like "XXX"
I totally agree with you. A few of the songs I will be skipping pretty often, but there is a really great collections of great tracks. I'm feelin happy with this.
I'm not a big fan of hip hop or rap (I mostly listen to Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, etc.), but this review really makes me want to go out and buy this album as well as Danny's last album. So, in other words... great review!
Could be due to the lack of any memorable hip-hop albums being dropped this year but I definitely would put this album higher than 7. Danny Brown is just so good at what he does and no one else is doing it. The production on this album alone warrants more than a 7. I'd say at least a 9.5, this is everything you want in a rap album.
Anthony, Danny even said himself that the song "ODB" was supposed to be the last song on the album. The sample didn't get cleared though. Float on wasn't supposed to end it.
Side A represents the inner struggles DB is going through, his realizations that he is getting older, has to behave more responsibly, do less drugs, deal with his depression, etc. Side B is the party side but it is still heavily rooted in the material that Side A deals with; here DB is choosing to get fucked up because of all of his issues as a way to temporarily escape them even though he knows they need to be met head on.
Well, maybe this album is not as satisfying as others in Danny's career ( this club influence). Whatever, the sounds are really fresh and he didn't forget how to write. Taking apart the scene's topics and continuous struggle ( really stressing), in this album he already made 30 bands in a minute, ha!
Great review, the more I listen to this album the more I appreciate it and understand the trap songs more, but the mix of the first half and second half don't flow as flawlessly as they did on XXX. On Old it feels like after the first half, you have to take a break and let your mind adjust to the radical change in style. Although it's still a great album, lyrically he's there, the production is there, and there really is no song that is actually bad.
I think a lot more could be said for his collaborative work on this album. XXX was missing a strong cast of characters to support it, which I thought worked perfectly for that album. However, the smart, nuanced implementation of other artists on this record worked out extremely well. A lot of my favorite tracks feature another artist: Freddie Gibbs, Schoolboy Q, Purity Ring, Charlie XCX, SKriblerfgr or whoever.
it's a good point and a good question - how do you review an album? as a stand-alone record, or in the evolution of the artist and compared to their previous albums. i think it's pretty hard, if not impossible, to separate the two. and honestly, if he had given it an 8/10, instead of a 7/10, i don't think you'd be complaining - it's still overall a very favorable review.
I personally liked the closer for this album. This album was basically XXX reversed, with him ending it in a drug haze, beginning to come down again from the very peak of it, characterized by him pretty much drowning in the beat. Or maybe I'm just digging too deep. 7.5/10 for me. Good review.
Anthony totally missed the boat here. He said there is a disconnect between the dark somber danny brown and wild party danny brown, but that was the WHOLE POINT OF THE ALBUM. That is why there is Side A and Side B, something he fails to explore in this review. And seriously Danny Brown is pushing forward the sound of hip hop with this album. Even the first half where he rhymes with his old flow/style is filled with innovative beats. This is at least an 8 maybe a 9.
Man sometimes I feel like I am the only one that loves Ab-Soul's fun and light hearted verses/songs. He is still super stylish and unique sounding in these kinds of tracks. I can wait until the next Ab Soul album for that deep shit he's known for. Also, Torture is one of the best hip hop tracks ever made.
Man, fucking loved this album, a definite must buy, when I first saw the album, I was like 20 tracks?! this shits gonna be repetive af, but man, those 20 tracks were a good ass set of songs. If you get over how many songs there are, you won't being sleeping on one of the best rappers of his time 9/10
uh. Brian. The point of "OLD",and him going back to "THE OLD DANNY BROWN" is in reference to his previous harder record "The Hybrid". Hence the two parts of this album with a boombap/bugged out hiphop, and the newer EDM/trap stuff.
25 bucks, wonderbread, lonely, dope song, break it, & float on were probably my favorites from this album. but i thoroughly enjoy the whole record. danny
The Tran... sition thing really takes care of that whole problem with Anthony having too many catchphrases at the end of his videos. And as always, good, honest reviews. Keep 'em up :)
"But the pièce de résistance is 'Break It (Go)', on which Brown enlists none other than UK rave's ultra-trap genius, Rustie. This is, in no uncertain terms, hip-hop as never you've never heard it before." NME.com looks like people have different opinions
When Anthony first reviewed XXX, he didn't speak as highly of it as he came to later on. I think it might be the same case with this one. Takes some time to sink in. Real honest and true record. Is it better than XXX (one of my favorite albums in a VERY long time)? I dunno. It's going to take more time.
One thing I really liked about this album in comparison to 'XXX' was that Danny seemed to give more equal weight to both sides of 'himself' - I also like how there's a little of Side B on Side A and vice versa, it's like it's saying you can go out and party your hardest, but you'll always be aware on some level of why you're partying in the first place. Try as he might, he knows they're inseparable. I get the point about Side B though, feels like different words over the same beats at times.
I think Old is structured fantastically (with the exception that is 25 Bucks which just sounds awfully out of place). I love the way Red 2 Go is essentially a build up track to the second half of the album, and whilst I do agree that this record doesn't flow as well as XXX did I still think that the the two sides fit together well. On paper they shouldn't fit together sonically or lyrically whatsoever, but it works. Side B is like Danny's reward for the hardships he went through on Side A.
I think you're asking too much from some artists Anthony. If the album came out now, without the history and discography danny has, would the score be higher? I agree XXX was amazing, but I also think OLD was like a polished XXX. It's better produced and Dannys flows are better. Its your opinion, I know, but I just wanted to throw mine in there too. Great review, great album.
the first half of the XXX mixtape were more recent tracks produced through fools gold. the other half were tracks he did earlier when he was a thug trying to find his voice. as a whole it is a masterpiece and "old" is def a great album. he prob was pressured to do a similar type of two sided record to meet his fans expectations. Danny Brown is def one of my favorite artists out right now.
I felt putting the introspective tracks at the beginning on this one shows us an entirely different angle to his story. rather than looking at the drug abuse and the looking at the consequences of said drug abuse, here we see how the stain of horrific memories from Danny's past drives him to drug use. This may be why the "party" side of this album is more amplified because here he's trying to drown out his past from the first half of the album. So he's loud and extreme as possible.
Danny Brown is so ahead of his time it's insane. He'll go down as one of the greatest. very sharp with his flow and delivery. very good lyrics and he seems to never run out of ideas. he's the type of MC that keeps you on your toes. Probably the most original artist in hip-hop, but i feel like his sound is a perfect mix between ODB and Cypress Hill… just my opinion. I give "Old" an 8/10.
Hah, I hope you listened to his new album too :)
"Calling me ahead of my time is an insult" -Danny Brown, XXX
Goat Boi one of his features from bruiser brigade said that, but true.
us from the future will have to agree with this comment
I still bump this today
Danny Brown : "that nigga gave you a eight"
A$AP Rocky : "he gave me a eight?"
Danny Brown : "yeah"
A$AP Rocky: "that nigga two points off bruh, bruh"
NextLevelMusic Haze&Kush That line was awesome hahaha
a$ap so humble for claiming that six 🙏🙏
context?
Danny said on the Reddit AMA that he put "twerk tracks" in his album because most of his income is from concerts so naturally he needed quite a few party songs.
It grew on me instantly. No one is putting out this kind of style and honesty. 9/10
I much preferred XXX myself, some of old bored me tbh.
+Twitch0n3 so you're saying you want that old Danny Brown?
+chel Mer don't make him bring the braids and or AK's back
1:28 You called that, Fantano. You called that good
IM SWEATIN LIKE IM IN A RAVE
CaratGlobbins HAVE BEEN IN THIS ROOM FOR THREE DAYS
sooo true...
is this bait?
One of the lines in the title track on XXX is "And it's the downward spiral"
25 Bucks is the best song on the album in my opinion.
These two albums are kind of like a cycle, or a day in the life of Danny Brown. XXX was starting at the ending of the night leading the beginning of the day and the starting of Old is the ending of the day going to the ending of the night. They kind of follow a cycle that shows how his days are currently for him reflecting on his past mistakes and such during the sober/hangover parts of the albums and why he enjoys partying in the party parts on the album. This shows his two different personalities, the side burdened with his memories and the side escaping the horrors of his past.
AND I SMOKE!...
+slap n pop BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT BLUNT AFTER BLUNT
+Ash AND I SMOKE
@@BradTasteInMusicOfficial YOU FELL OFF LIKE TOM SELLECK IN A CELICA. BITCH GAVE ME BRAIN FOR THE HELL OF IT, BUT TO HER IT'S HEAVEN EVEN IF SHE GETS A SMELL OF IT
Ur team is in semifinals, how do you feel ?
S T E P
Wonderbread is one of the most batshit insane songs
Oh man, a mere years later
Our Founding Liars aint it funny the craziest thing to happen to a song oat lmao
@@OurFoundingLiars damn bruh
LOVED IT. 9/10 it has so many different types of tracks that i can listen to it no matter what mood I am in. The beats are amazing. Danny Browns flow & change in voice and tone through out the album is so interesting, keeps me listening to the project over and over.
I totally agree
Honestly though I think Danny Brown is one of the realest rappers there are. He is different but a good kind of different. It's rappers like him and Kendrick who are the saviors of new school hip hop.
I thought Kush Coma was an amazing song just because it sounds so good, even though Rocky doesn't fit the song at all. The backing and Danny's flow were just perfect together.
you think so? i thought it had one of the most unpleasant beats / choruses on the whole album.
I don't know, for whatever reason I put on headphones and it just feels good, the intro specifically when it does that "dundundundundundundun" and sort of "explodes" into the beat. The chorus yeah, pretty weak, but the song itself is just sort of trippy and fun for me. Edit : I'm relistening now and I guess other than the intro I really didn't like it all that much, but I feel like Rocky's section was just weird, more aimless than the song itself, and that moaning gets old.
I really don't expect much out of choruses anymore though. I do feel like it is too long enough to sort of ruin the energy, especially with like I said Rocky's sort of slow chill delivery randomly slowing it down between Danny's verses which are a bit more intense with the release of the chorus where it gets a little floaty, but yeah the chorus is pretty substanceless. Also the thematic of the "kush coma" as a temporary reprieve but not an actual fix to his "real problems" is cool and introspective-esque, but he doesn't really meaningful way but sort of mentioned in passing in the lyrics.
So yeah I just like how it sounds, I can see why it wouldn't be pick of the litter on a solid album.
kush coma is one of the best tracks on side 2
+RancorousC i think the vocal effects on the hook just totally make this song.
I really liked Kush Coma I thought Zelooperz came through with that hook.
"Have no apprentice, style un-inherited. Laughing at you peasants cus my penmanship is excellence"
I am enamoured with the production on Red 2 Go. A bit disappointed that Anthony didn't mention it as I think it's one of the strongest tracks on this album as it absolutely sprays you over the face.
Lonely is such an amazing song. Something about that song just gets to me. Especially when I'm with myself smoking
I love people who can just give their score without complaining about Anthony's
I think the biggest assets Danny has are his voice control and the ability to adapt his flows and lyrics to fit the beats. He is a pretty versatile artist and that's why the album ahs a replay value for me...every song brings something different, not saying every song is a as good as the other... but I think he really reflects his personality perfectly on his albums, that's why he quickly became one of my favorite rappers, He might even crack my Top 5, certainly top 10... the only downside to the album is that the beats sometimes are too much, they overshadow the lyrics... otherwise top 5 album of 2013 for me, but it just can't knock Unconsious state off my number 1 spot
THANK YOU bc of this comment I discovered Jon Connor HOLy fuck where the hell has this dude been all my life
hahaha you're welcome man! i'm just trying to get the word out! i've been a JC fan for 2, maybe 3 years now and I'm just getting the word out there for this dope artist, did the same for Kdot before he was famous, and i'm hoping this guy blows up in the same fashion
YES. The only comment on youtube I can agree with 100%
Atrocity Exhibition 10/10
Old 9/10
XXX 10/10
Nah Old isn't that good
Richard Dawkins Coined The Word 'meme' Old is full of great songs. Especially he mellower songs on the first half.
@@whatdothlife7108 yeah but it doesn't live up to his other albums imo, all the other ones are better
@@ComedyPal667 even The Hybrid? U trippin
@@ComedyPal667 and uknowhatimsayin is also worse than Old
You nailed the album here Anthony. I had a lot of the same thoughts about it. How Side A - Red 2 Go and Side B - Float On are basically like two different albums, the more introspective and critical Danny Brown vs the drugged-up, party Danny Brown. I was initially drawn in by the second half just because of how catchy some of the instrumentals are, like the descending bass on Way Up Here and the grooves on Break It (Go) and those opening lines on Handstand.
"I will eat on them pajamas
Bite all on it like piranha
When it comes to that vagina
Baby girl you could be my diner"
While the songs on the second half have such catchy production and tone they're pretty weak compared to the first half. That line about his daughter calling him on Clean Up gets me every time I hear it. My friends aren't as fond of his more mellow, spoken-word tone but I think those are the moments his lyrics shine through the best.
One thing I want to disagree with you on, the last track Float On works really well as a closer for me. It feels like a sober moment at the end of a long night of partying. He references back to tracks on the first half like Wonderbread and has this clarity and calm that relaxes me after all those trap songs. It shows a very human side of Danny Brown. Not the hungry and determined one from 30 but one that is vulnerable and unsure of himself. He wants so many things yet it seems he has to sacrifice them for the sake of staying relevant.
Good review though. I'd give the album an 8/10 myself. I'm planning to see Danny Brown when he comes to Orlando, should be a good time.
Idk why, but Wonderbread is just my favorite song on the whole album. I fuccs with the whole thing though
dope fiend rental was by far my favorite track on this.and yes xxx is way better than old
It's a real grower TBH. Digging in to it, for me, revealed more to appreciate than is apparent on first listen.
Felt like the descent into drug-fuelled hedonism after all that self-reflection is an interesting reversal and there's a kinda manic energy that turns the party vibes into a bad trip.
"I'm grinding on yo bitch
while I'm grinding on my teeth "
love that line. And the whole album.
Danny Brown is truly the most versatile rapper in the game today. The way he can deliver so many different flows and messages on each song it makes the album long lasting and much more enjoyable. Even if you dont like Dannys crazy side, one can still respect the passion and delivery he puts on each track, whether a party track or an introspective track. Props to the Hybrid on this one
25 bucks was one of Danny's best songs of all time in my opinion
Still is
@@damando6631 still my favorite Danny song of all time, one of the songs that got me into rap
holy shit lol. if fantano was talking about a song with both danny brown and charli xcx in 2021, like he was at 12:00, it would look so different lmao. two artists with albums of the year. nobody knew at the time where either artist was heading though haha
but yeah, imagine a 2021-danny brown and a 2021-charli xcx collab. that would be nuts
Lonely is the dopest beat
In my opinion torture has da illest beat
Tweek Tweak lonely and torture are my favorite beats on this album. The beat on torture was so good that i felt like the beat just HAD to be sampled. So i did some research and it turns out there was a sample lol.. anyway still dope
EUG3N!U$ MUSIC i always think that danny has some sick beats, skywlkr makes the dopest, outer space one of my favorites
Red 2 Go is my shit 🙏
Damn straight
Old 8/10 triple x 9/10 (in my opinion)
And what about AE?
Ee Ee he commented that 3 years ago bruh
Yeah I know, I'd just like to hear his opinions
@Jeeses99 stfu
After listening to this album a couple of times, I really did get a sort of cinematic feel from the album's arrangement that worked for me. It came off as a sort of biopic album, chronicling Danny's past life on the streets and then his present self, where the partying and drugs are consistent methods of coping with his horrifying past, and you hear the references of that in Side B. I did feel like some of Side B did get a bit repetitive and one dimensional as well, especially after just hearing most of those songs during his set at Bumbershoot where his job was seemingly just to crowd-please trap rap fans. But I felt the album was a cool experience, and Float On actually is one of my favorite tracks of this year, because of its closure to the album and just a strong beat, hook, and lyrical content. Strong 7 to light 8.
This album is so fucking good still.
I'm a newb, I just subscribed to the Needle Drop and I'm not really into hip hop (especially newer hip hop) but I do look forward to some of your reviews, you do a hell of a job. Music is my life and since there's absolutely nothing about music on television anymore, this Needle Drop is almost like a breath of fresh air. Ty Segall's new band "Fuzz" just released their new record and hopefully you review that record. I'm also going to see Fuzz in two weeks.
Some of these edm trap beats on the lp are provided by Scottish electronic producer/dj Rustie
quite interesting, as danny said on the reddit ama that he was looking forward to your review. wonder what his feeling will be. i think ultimately you're right, as the "banger" section is more instantly gratifying than those on XXX which had a subtlety of disclosure underneath all of the filth. keep up the good work bruh bruh.
At first I hated $25. But I focused more on the lyrics and it's real shit. Danny has nasty lyricism on his singles and xxx. So I had to like old. Don't forget terrorist threats with ab-soul either
I thought danny was good on the song. But i didnt really dig ab souls part
anton brown Why not? I can sorta understand. But i wanna know why you feel that way?
I don't know why, but even when you give an album a good rating, it still feels as if it was almost bad. That's just the level of detail you put into your reviews. There are things you talk about that I never catch, but when I listen to it again, I can understand where you coming from.
BTW love you for shouting out Rap Genius. Not enough people know about it in my opinion.
I thought this was one of the hardest albums to come out in 2013.
loved old and love this review. great stuff man
8.2 great album, good flow, good beats.
It's unfortunate "ODB" didn't end the album as Danny originally intended. It definitely mirrored "30" as far as an unorthodox beat alongside a frenzied flow.
Why have u never done a bruno mars reviews his unorthodox jukebox album was crazy
I love how this album was a complete mood-swinger. Favorite track was" the Return."
50 almost recruited danny for g-unit but he was too hipster
Great reviews on Danny Brown's albums. My buddy has been telling me since just before Old dropped to give him a listen and I finally took the initiative a few weeks back and have been giving both Thirty and Old listens. Your review of Thirty really put that albums concept into perspective for me. That got me thinking about Old and I have come to a conclusion. With Old, the album title itself tells you that Danny feels like a lot of things in his life are getting old and are old. He is getting old. This party rapper image that has caught on is old to him. We all know that Danny isn't some dude riding the spotlight; trying to get an easy paycheck from white kids with some new hot single. He is an artist and he takes his work seriously. He knows he can't be taken seriously in the long run if he continues to live this crazy persona that has caught on. So with old, he starts the first half on a darker, serious tone. With this album compared to Thirty, I feel like things are lyrically more investing and the serious songs are much more robust and interesting. With the second half of Old, he starts the album with Dope Song, which he claims to be his last big dope song. Following that is a series of lack-luster party songs that, when compared to the same style songs on the second half of Thirty, feel less alive and fruitful. I think this is because he is essentially weeding people off of his party songs, much like addicts of hard drugs are slowly weeded off their addictions. He wants the listener to invest and love the first half while loosing interest in the second half. This is all cemented by the album closer, which he explains his perspective on his career and life. Both Old and Thirty are equally amazing in conception in my opinion. Danny Brown is one creative motherfucker.
I had to listen to DB after his verse on pinata
that songs is my favorite on the album because of dannys verse
I may have never heard such a real analysis on an album, I don't even care if I should or should not agree, it is very well done, respect.
Also ab soul, scHoolboy q, and asap delivered wack verses. I dont know what was going on.
Despite the 2nd half of the album being thinner than his stuff on XXX I think that this is still an amazing record. 9/10
Think about how Danny went from XXX which is crazy and zany to begin with, to Old, slightly less zany but innovative with Danny’s style, to blowing it all out of the water with Atrocity Exhibition which is somehow crazier than XXX. Then uknowhatimsayin which tones down beautifully. Just an amazing artist who knows how to make albums
You dont make it sound that impressive
I love how I look this up and u post it like an hour later
The only downside to this was too many hooks and choruses... xxx stayed away from that and is better
i always found that funny
especially since XXX had the line "weavin kicks n snares tryna dodge these hooks" to then turn around for most of these tracks and be hella reliable on hooks :///
I love Danny Brown!!! One of my favorites, I'm a fan of all of his stuff, and most of his features
Old 10/10 melon wrong
balls
I kinda agree, I read on complex that he purpossfully made those Trap influenced "bangers" for his live shows. Cause he sees himself not only as an artist but also as a product that he needs to sell. That seems about right, I love this album and think it is somewhat on par with XXX. But I would love to hear just a whole dark/gritty album of his one day when this Trap fad has passed. :)
I really can't fuck with this album. There are some records on this joint that are really great. Lyrical, introspective, hard hitting, ECT. And then there are songs that sound like fucking Waka Flocka would make. He has potential but he really can't flip flop to much
Flockavelli a trap classic brah. Not all hip-hop gotta sound the same.
That's the whole point of the album.
That's the point.
it's called versatility xx
I consider myself a huge Danny Brown supporter because I really like his music, his style, and just him as a person. "XXX" was great... Like that was the shit, but there were somethings about "Old" that you felt could've been better and I think what Anthony was saying about the album overall was 100% true. The album was a nice listen and worth recommending, but it didn't blow me away like "XXX"
i loved it red 2 go one of da best songs
'Torture' really hits. Instrumentally and lyrically.
Danny Brown has the most ANNOYING voice EVER!!! Atleast in dip, i like pac blood though.
I really like it but I can see how people would find it hard to get into. You get used to it
Sometimes i like it, in 25 bucks it sounds dope.
lol i can't stop reading that in tweek's voice
I have listen to both XXX and Old now and i have gotten use 2 it. I think it's cool because
that way you now that it's Danny Brown, It's his style.
glad you came around bruh
Good review, Anthony. Now on to MNIMN......
Oh, and Event II if you can
been waiting for this review. Old is the rap album of the year
I totally agree with you. A few of the songs I will be skipping pretty often, but there is a really great collections of great tracks. I'm feelin happy with this.
I'm not a big fan of hip hop or rap (I mostly listen to Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, etc.), but this review really makes me want to go out and buy this album as well as Danny's last album. So, in other words... great review!
Could be due to the lack of any memorable hip-hop albums being dropped this year but I definitely would put this album higher than 7. Danny Brown is just so good at what he does and no one else is doing it. The production on this album alone warrants more than a 7. I'd say at least a 9.5, this is everything you want in a rap album.
Anthony, Danny even said himself that the song "ODB" was supposed to be the last song on the album. The sample didn't get cleared though. Float on wasn't supposed to end it.
I was literally waiting for this. Honestly, I think it deserves more than a 7.. but as usual it's a spot on review.
Side A represents the inner struggles DB is going through, his realizations that he is getting older, has to behave more responsibly, do less drugs, deal with his depression, etc. Side B is the party side but it is still heavily rooted in the material that Side A deals with; here DB is choosing to get fucked up because of all of his issues as a way to temporarily escape them even though he knows they need to be met head on.
the beat on the return was so fucking dope
Well, maybe this album is not as satisfying as others in Danny's career ( this club influence). Whatever, the sounds are really fresh and he didn't forget how to write. Taking apart the scene's topics and continuous struggle ( really stressing), in this album he already made 30 bands in a minute, ha!
"hipster by a heart but i could tell you how the streets feel" is an ASAP Rocky quote c'mon Anthony
Great review, the more I listen to this album the more I appreciate it and understand the trap songs more, but the mix of the first half and second half don't flow as flawlessly as they did on XXX. On Old it feels like after the first half, you have to take a break and let your mind adjust to the radical change in style. Although it's still a great album, lyrically he's there, the production is there, and there really is no song that is actually bad.
I think a lot more could be said for his collaborative work on this album. XXX was missing a strong cast of characters to support it, which I thought worked perfectly for that album. However, the smart, nuanced implementation of other artists on this record worked out extremely well. A lot of my favorite tracks feature another artist: Freddie Gibbs, Schoolboy Q, Purity Ring, Charlie XCX, SKriblerfgr or whoever.
he said this and pitchfork were his most anticipated reviews, he also retweeted anthony who talked about the old review
I do think Danny Brown and Grime go together really well. Dizzee Rascal may have fell off, but I'd still love to hear that collab.
This is the only review you've done that I completely agree with
1:26 Downward Spiral foreshadowing noticed ;)
it's a good point and a good question - how do you review an album? as a stand-alone record, or in the evolution of the artist and compared to their previous albums. i think it's pretty hard, if not impossible, to separate the two.
and honestly, if he had given it an 8/10, instead of a 7/10, i don't think you'd be complaining - it's still overall a very favorable review.
I personally liked the closer for this album. This album was basically XXX reversed, with him ending it in a drug haze, beginning to come down again from the very peak of it, characterized by him pretty much drowning in the beat. Or maybe I'm just digging too deep.
7.5/10 for me. Good review.
Anthony totally missed the boat here. He said there is a disconnect between the dark somber danny brown and wild party danny brown, but that was the WHOLE POINT OF THE ALBUM. That is why there is Side A and Side B, something he fails to explore in this review. And seriously Danny Brown is pushing forward the sound of hip hop with this album. Even the first half where he rhymes with his old flow/style is filled with innovative beats. This is at least an 8 maybe a 9.
Man sometimes I feel like I am the only one that loves Ab-Soul's fun and light hearted verses/songs. He is still super stylish and unique sounding in these kinds of tracks. I can wait until the next Ab Soul album for that deep shit he's known for.
Also, Torture is one of the best hip hop tracks ever made.
What you said about Ab Soul is how I've felt about every verse Ab has dropped (feature wise) since Control System.
Great review you;re a music lover 4real!!
Man, fucking loved this album, a definite must buy, when I first saw the album, I was like 20 tracks?! this shits gonna be repetive af, but man, those 20 tracks were a good ass set of songs. If you get over how many songs there are, you won't being sleeping on one of the best rappers of his time 9/10
How about some sleep eh?
*Sees new needledrop video*
Damn it I love you Cal.
u know Danny's watching right now wassup Daniel have a nice day
uh. Brian. The point of "OLD",and him going back to "THE OLD DANNY BROWN" is in reference to his previous harder record "The Hybrid". Hence the two parts of this album with a boombap/bugged out hiphop, and the newer EDM/trap stuff.
25 bucks, wonderbread, lonely, dope song, break it, & float on were probably my favorites from this album. but i thoroughly enjoy the whole record. danny
The Tran... sition thing really takes care of that whole problem with Anthony having too many catchphrases at the end of his videos. And as always, good, honest reviews. Keep 'em up :)
"But the pièce de résistance is 'Break It (Go)', on which Brown enlists none other than UK rave's ultra-trap genius, Rustie. This is, in no uncertain terms, hip-hop as never you've never heard it before." NME.com
looks like people have different opinions
When Anthony first reviewed XXX, he didn't speak as highly of it as he came to later on. I think it might be the same case with this one. Takes some time to sink in.
Real honest and true record. Is it better than XXX (one of my favorite albums in a VERY long time)? I dunno. It's going to take more time.
One thing I really liked about this album in comparison to 'XXX' was that Danny seemed to give more equal weight to both sides of 'himself' - I also like how there's a little of Side B on Side A and vice versa, it's like it's saying you can go out and party your hardest, but you'll always be aware on some level of why you're partying in the first place. Try as he might, he knows they're inseparable.
I get the point about Side B though, feels like different words over the same beats at times.
I think Old is structured fantastically (with the exception that is 25 Bucks which just sounds awfully out of place). I love the way Red 2 Go is essentially a build up track to the second half of the album, and whilst I do agree that this record doesn't flow as well as XXX did I still think that the the two sides fit together well. On paper they shouldn't fit together sonically or lyrically whatsoever, but it works. Side B is like Danny's reward for the hardships he went through on Side A.
I think you're asking too much from some artists Anthony. If the album came out now, without the history and discography danny has, would the score be higher?
I agree XXX was amazing, but I also think OLD was like a polished XXX. It's better produced and Dannys flows are better.
Its your opinion, I know, but I just wanted to throw mine in there too.
Great review, great album.
the first half of the XXX mixtape were more recent tracks produced through fools gold. the other half were tracks he did earlier when he was a thug trying to find his voice. as a whole it is a masterpiece and "old" is def a great album. he prob was pressured to do a similar type of two sided record to meet his fans expectations. Danny Brown is def one of my favorite artists out right now.
What Up Doe! NeedleDrop!!!! "DETROIT" D~Day Music Group! J.R Cash we Getting Out Here. Mad luv!
In his recent Reddit AMA that he was looking forward to TheNeedleDrop's review of 'Old'. Give the man what he wants Fantano.
Thank you Cal for blessing us with a performance.
I felt putting the introspective tracks at the beginning on this one shows us an entirely different angle to his story. rather than looking at the drug abuse and the looking at the consequences of said drug abuse, here we see how the stain of horrific memories from Danny's past drives him to drug use. This may be why the "party" side of this album is more amplified because here he's trying to drown out his past from the first half of the album. So he's loud and extreme as possible.
Kush coma is best song on album. You must've never been in one. Danny describes it perfectly and kills a great beat