Westside Gunn would possibly exist as one of many champions of the so-called “growth bap” resurgence, however his private pursuits are as huge as his stacked discography. Along with his fifth and reportedly closing studio album, And Then You Pray For Me, the Buffalo, N.Y. mastermind embraced audio textures outdoors his typical sound— and that alternative alienated some and indoctrinated others.

Westside Gunn sits at an attention-grabbing level in his nonetheless ongoing profession. In a latest Rolling Stone interview WSG claimed that whereas he’s not giving up his musical endeavors, the goal of making a full-length challenge is over for him.

And Then You Pray For Me, billed because the successor to WSG’s Pray For Paris (maybe his most acclaimed album at this level) provides to WSG’s transcendental rise as a cultural tastemaker. Whereas Pray For Paris remained centered within the conventional hazy bop that Griselda propelled to the forefront, And Then You Pray For Me absolutely embraces the sparse manufacturing that largely informs the lure sound.

The album opens with “FLYGOD DID” that includes A.A. Rashid delivering one in all his signature motivational openers, with “Mamas PrimeTime” coming proper after. Beat Butcha and Mr. Inexperienced handed over a face-melting monitor with Georgia’s JID delivering a scene-stealing verse that Conway The Machine barely overshadows, and it ought to be famous that Gunn additionally set the tone vocally alongside his visitors.

In an sudden flip of occasions, “Kostas” brings collectively the core Grisdelda members with a booming backing monitor from Tay Keith & tbeatz. If there’s an early knock, WSG’s move pales compared to his cousin Benny The Butcher and brother Conway The Machine. Nonetheless, the try is admirable and on the very least, Gunn seems like he’s having a blast.

Talking of, Gunn’s songs produced by Miguel da Plug dive into a mode we solely heard him sort out beforehand on “Flygod Jr” from his 10 mixtape, with Doe Boy and DJ Drama including their aptitude. Gunn has made no secret that he spends vital time in Atlanta and takes within the nightlife, so it isn’t fully surprising he embraces this type of music a number of instances throughout And Then You Pray For Me.

The variations between Gunn’s rhyme type over trap-influenced beats and the loop-centric boom-bap develop into all of the extra obtrusive in between the tracks “1989” that includes manufacturing from Miguel da Plug and a scene-stealing function from Range God Cooks, and “Suicide In Selfridges” which options the skills of producer Conductor Williams. On the latter, WSG fingers in what is likely to be his finest efficiency on the album.

From an neutral stance, it’s clear the place Gunn shines as a rapper however it’s entertaining to listen to him insert his type of excessive trend powerful discuss into the world trunk-ratting dope boy tracks. An awesome instance of that is “DunnHill” that includes Rick Ross. Rozay sounds extra at residence on Miguel da Plug’s monitor however that doesn’t alter the standard of the ultimate product.

One of many album’s highlights, “Home of GLORY” is produced by RZA and options one other of Gunn’s standout verses. Even with Range God Cooks’ robust opening verse, WSG discovered a cushty pocket that speaks to his means greater than the next monitor. The monitor “JD Wrist,” produced by Gunn’s son, Flygod Jr., advantages from robust verses from Range God Cooks and Estee Nack.

If there’s one space Gunn definitely doesn’t ship, it’s whereas he’s within the function of a Hip-Hop Lothario. That is highlighted within the sex-drenched raps of “Chloe” that includes a recreation Ty Dolla $ign and wonderful manufacturing from Denny LaFlare. Nevertheless, the music is an uncomfortable hear.

Issues decide again up with the superb “Babylon Bis,” that includes Range God Cooks. Frequent collaborator JR Swiftz offers the platter for Range God and WSG to shine brightly and provides solution to one of many album’s strongest sectors.

One other of the album’s surprises is Daringer offering manufacturing for  “Jalen Rose” that includes Detroit’s Boldy James, a slight departure from the Buffalo, N.Y. producer’s common type. As soon as once more, WSG alters his rhyme type for the sake of the music, and regardless of on-line critics saying in any other case, it really works.

The album’s closing title monitor doesn’t even function Gunn. As an alternative, WSG permits KayCyy to capably carry the music on his personal over Brother Tom Sos’ mellow manufacturing. Despite the fact that it stands in stark distinction to what got here earlier than it, it’s a excellent ending for such a kaleidoscopic journey.

And Then You Pray For Me isn’t excellent. Gunn’s embrace of the lure sound is both refreshing to some ears or irritating to others. Nevertheless, these saying Westside Gunn is a one-note rapper should eat their phrases and acknowledge that he as soon as once more curated one other audio expertise that gained’t be quickly forgotten.

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see the place the Griselda honcho goes subsequent if he decides to launch extra music. If not, And Then You Pray For Me is a neatly-tied bow on probably the greatest runs the tradition has witnessed in Hip-Hop ever.

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Photograph: Dave Benett / Getty