[ALBUM REVIEW] - BOOGIE - 'Everything's For Sale'

[2019 ALBUM JUDGMENT]

Artist - Album:  BOOGIE – ‘Everything’s For Sale’

Record Labels:  Shady/Interscope

Release Date:   01/25/19

Singles (thus far):   "Self Destruction” & “Silent Ride”

Boogie brings a vulnerable modern melodic blueprint for his 1st album at Shady Records.  Through his self-proclaimed *Gospel, Gangsta, Trap-and-B*, I actually noticed some reflective & relatable material.  A tad depressing at times but honest.  His voice fits him in a unique box of lighter, cagey, slight monotone-rasps.  The album vibe feels subdued & smooth – yet personal & introspective; sprinkled with a little west-coast pride.  As a mainstream debut, it’s a mature, authentic vision… so I’m not shocked to learn he’s a 29-year-old rap “rookie”. 

The slick production stood out, with a bigger budget than expected; it’s polished, glitzy, sullen, & often uses beautiful keyboard or string instrumentation.  Many of the beats on built on slow-churning soul, which helps lighten the mood.  From the intro, he condemns conscious lyricism… but for a guy that doesn’t like consciousness, he surprisingly shows lots of conscious reflection in his rhymes.  I prefer his rapping over his singing; but I appreciate when he ends verses with his optimistic thoughts/lines.  There are clever guests here from JID & Snoh Aalegra, for different reasons – on “Soho” JID’s faster flow & energy brought a needed contrast; while the Snoh-feature on “Time” provides unlikely chemistry & some smoky, sultry, singing chops that Boogie lacks. 

I wasn’t liking the short song lengths; 6-of-13 tracks being under 2:26.  Definitely expected more from the Eminem-feature on “Rainy Days” – where although the hook’s catchy, both rappers forced rhymes & metaphors that misses the mark.  While Boogie has depth & a vivid vocab; certain records felt anti-climactic, unfinished, or one-dimensional.   He displays only 1 gear, being hit or miss with deliveries, so I hope he can develop different speeds & cadences.  I also prefer the grittier 2^nd single “Silent Ride”, over the 1^st single choice of “Self Destruction” which struck-out for me. 

Cumulatively, I generally liked 7 tracks here, so I’m grading it as a slightly above-average release.  ‘Everything’s For Sale’ examines Boogie’s world in dark tints, both good & bad.  While it lacks a smash hit or goto jams; it’s definitely mood music & a listener’s album.  His vibe, insecurities, & introspect are encouraging for a debut.  Charisma & versatility were setbacks, but the album’s POV holds my attention.  I’m interested in seeing him rap a little more, craft longer songs, and experiment with other emotional tones in the future.  My favorite tracks I recommend are “Soho”, “Whose Fault”, “Silent Ride”, “Tired/Reflections”, & “Time”.

MY FINAL VERDICT: 

3.5 STARS (out of 6)