Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess I've Made Album Review
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis come together once again for the release of their second studio LP, entitled 'This Unruly Mess I've Made'. The follow-up to 2012s 'The Heist' has been eagerly-anticipated, with Macklemore becoming a global talking point, and not always for strictly musical reasons. The duo's debut LP was a trendy, catchy affair, and the singles 'Can't Hold Us', 'Same Love' and 'Thrift Shop' received huge success and acclaim. This latest release again tackles social issues and problems such as racial inequality, drug-addiction and unhealthy dietary regimes, while Ryan Lewis' production is as grandiose as ever.
The album's opener 'Light Tunnels' is impressive; it's a six and a half minute epic that finds Macklemore recounting his journey to the 2014 Grammys, where he won the award for the Best Rap Album, beating Kendrick Lamar in what was to be the start of Macklemore's public clashing with those accusing him of being a 'culture vulture', and generally questioning his rightful place in the hip-hop mainstream. The passion in Macklemore's delivery and the intense, epic production from Ryan Lewis makes for a captivating album, and he's certainly opening up with integrity, honesty and personality.
'Downtown' follows, and this features hip-hop veterans and influential figures Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz and Kool Moe Dee, as well as Eric Nally of Cincinnati band Foxy Shazam. It might seem a little obvious to have this follow a track that so explicitly sets out his intentions though; the opener ends with the lyric "time to explain this unruly mess I've made", and you can't get more blatant than having it as the title of the album. Why criticise though? It's great to hear these pioneers rap alongside a modern artist on such a grand scale, and the track is textured, dramatic and encapsulating. It does descend into some strange musical-esque ending though, which is certainly unexpected if nothing else.
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