One word to keep in mind as you read this review is overhyped. If I didn’t know Travis or Quavo I don’t think I would have listened to their collaborative album more than potentially three times. After the obligatory first few listens, and once my heartbeat had quietened enough for me to actually hear the tracks I had to force myself to be honest. As always with collaborative albums of artists of this calibre you have to get over the primary hype to fully provide an unbiased (I hope) view of the music.
With a relationship that stems back pretty far in their respective careers, Travis and Quavo’s joint project should have been ground-breaking. They both enjoyed killer sold out tours in 2017, with major albums released prior to that. Songs such as Pick up the Phone, featured on Travis’ Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, and the surprisingly grand Kelly Price from Culture, both demonstrate an undeniably successful dynamic between the two rappers.
I don’t see this dynamic on many tracks on Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho. Why? It’s messy, and it gets tired very quickly. Quavo works best when his own boundless energy is mirrored and allowed to run free, clearly demonstrated through Migos recent rise. Travis’ flow is more unwavering, a strong presence that usually brings us the perfect balance in trap/auto tune melodies. The ad-libs could have been more selectively placed, and the whole album should have had more energy.
There are a couple of songs I’ve had on repeat for a few days, Best Man, with its chilled vibe and otherworldly backdrop melodies is one of my favourites. Saint Laurent Mask has a funky beat, reminiscent of Culture and Motorcycle Patches highlights good verses from Travis. Overall however, the album is nothing spectacular. Neither Quavo nor Travis gives their full potential on the album, maybe preferring to save this for their respective solo careers. I’d have liked to have heard more melody from Travis, like we’ve seen in Oh My Dis Side and Company. Although Travis has proved once again he’s deserving of wearing the label of both rapper and singer. I’m a big fan of both artists, and I’ll still go to see them live if we were ever blessed with such a tour, but Huncho Jack is not the gem I was expecting.
Companies
MTV
- Television
HOOD POLITICS
- Publishing