DWR: Lil Durk - Just Cause Y'all Waited 2 (Patreon)

This was the first time I've listened to a Lil Durk project in its entirety, and I wasn't disappointed at all.  The Chicago rapper's  Just Cause Y'all Waited 2  is an album that is filled with the "melodic but aggressive" style that he's become known for.  Although there isn't much here that shows anything new from Durk, if you're someone that likes the kind of music he makes, you can appreciate the consistency.  

He doesn't shy away from his vulnerabilities at all, almost embracing them on tracks like "Internet Sensation",  where he speaks on how much he cares for his girl because of how she stayed by him through his habits/addictions.  On "Street Affection" you can hear the pain in the first verse as he starts it off with "They ain't doing they job, they ain't serve and protecting//Even street niggas need that love and affection". The cadence and melody he uses when he sings "The one I call my brother not my brother cause he told them other n***as we not brothers" is almost one of regret or remorse, communicating that this is not something he wanted to happen.  The tone he uses to start the second verse is far less melodic, and more aggressive; it's like he's trying to show he got over the things that took place and is moving on with an "it is what it is" type mindset.  Small creative decisions like this help to add wrinkles and more meaning to a project that might otherwise seem fairly straightforward.

The project isn't flawless. "Gucci Gucci" is a throwaway. It's extremely repetitive with lazy lyrics and a basic melody. The flows aren't bad but the track is just boring, even with the Gunna contribution. "Triflin Hoes" is another one I didn't really enjoy; there just wasn't much there.  He leaves the catchy melodies behind and chooses instead to use a more straightforward rapping style.  This is fine as long as the lyrics can carry the song. They can't. Skip.

The production on the album is good. Not amazing, but it does the job. It's what you'd expect from a Lil Durk project. In general the beats are mostly melancholy with heavy piano. One that does stand out is "Viral Moment". The saxophone used is perfect and Durk compliments the beat with his vocals flawlessly.

 He also did well with his selection of features; Lil Baby and Polo G worked were perfect for "3 Headed Goat". Their styles are different enough to bring variety to the song, but similar enough that no one feels out of place. Overall I'd say Lil Durk did well with this one.  As someone who is relatively new to his music, the sound was what I expected, and I enjoyed most of it.

7/10.

Favs: Street Affection, 3 Headed Goat, Broke Up In Miami, Internet Sensation

Throwaways: Gucci Gucci, Triflin Hoes, Turn Myself In