A sample filled experimentation of sounds is described best by A$AP Rocky himself during an interview in January. “Basically, the point of this whole shit is just testing new sounds. Just new wavelengths. It’s more so the outcome of an experiment..” Testing explores new land for the Harlem rapper who decides to sing over rapping on tracks like Calldrops, which feature an incarcerated Kodak Black.
The addicting hook in F**k Sleep is made for the replay button.
“Fuck em, fuck sleep, come clean, zonin’
Can’t forget that I’m golden, can’t forget where I’m going
Fuck popo, police, enemies, fake homies
Can’t forget that I’m a OG, better act like you know it”
Melodic and effortless, Rocky pulls off a new sound I hope to hear more of in the future.
Returning to his roots with Clams Casino on “Black Tux, White Collar”, Rocky delivers his iconic pitched down voice before the final track plays. “Purity”, next to “Changes”, marks the most introspective side of Rocky we have seen to date. With the aid of an unforgettable Frank Ocean verse, Rocky speaks about drug addiction and his sisters death on the outro track of an album that is truly ‘testing’ new grounds.