ohFLUX!

Monday saw the release of Jay-Z’s latest album, The Blueprint 3. His 11th studio album, another peg in his long legacy. I’d have to say it’s better than his two previous out-of-retirement forays, but it still lacks something…

Overall, this album is … a love letter to New York… and… an attempt to remind people that he still exists. or isn’t out of it.

There are some good tracks (D.O.A., Empire State of Mind, Off That, Already Home, Hater), with productions by kanye, pharrell, No ID, swizz beatz and timbaland (his beats, not so hot this time around)… but sometimes, I just don’t know what he’s rapping about… In addition, he does this … “AWW!” thing every so often. On every track. What is that… AWW! “we ballin, bitches, eating ya food leavin dishess”

He also has a lot of cool collaborations with some pretty cool people (Kid Cudi, Drake, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Young Jeezy, Pharrell, Mr.Hudson). But it kind of sucks that a lot of them are reduced to repetitive (and catchy) hooks. I’m sure that Kid Cudi and Drake would’ve made good verses for their respective tracks.

It’s been number one for two weeks now, so I guess that means something. I do find myself listening to it quite a bit on daily commutes and at home…even though this isn’t an amazing album, maybe it’s the lack of other things to listen to.

His concert at Madison Square was amazing if you haven’t seen it. go watch it now. a lot of guest appearances. a lot of fun, I wish I was there. In other news, he’ll be in Toronto doing a show on Saturday Oct 31, and in London Thurs Oct 29. I would go if I weren’t so broke.