This past weekend, Hip Hop artist Young Thug released his second album in 2018, titled On The Rvn. The album serves as a follow up to Slime Language, a collaborative mixtape among several label mates, which released in August. In this review, I will listen to each track and give my first impressions of each, then at the end, I will tie everything together and give a review for the whole album.

Track List:

1. On The Run
2. Icey
3. Climax (feat. 6LACK)
4. Sin (feat. Jaden Smith)
5. Real In My Veins
6. High (feat. Elton John)

Track 1: On The Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eXYksvLqIQ

Impressions: Well done production, good bass lines and pops in the background with the vocals, siren leading into chorus works well, lyrics aren’t  anything to write home about but the hook is handled well by Thug, he hits all the notes well in the verses, but the song kind of drags along towards the middle and end.

Featured Lyrics:  “Chanel, she can get a little today (Chanel)/ F*** around and drop a few bags today” referencing a song from Slime Language, titled Chanel Go Get It

Track 2: Icey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6x6nuRs8-4

Impressions: the production on this one is really good, really fun backed down by fun vocals from Thugger, while the last one’s beat dragged in the middle this stays fresh throughout. This type of song really compliments Thug as an artist as he is not known for well thought out lyrics, but his vocals and delivery really shine.

Featured Lyrics: “Put a ring ’round your finger, charisma (oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)/ “I left twenty five thousand on your dresser (oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)” showing him spoiling his fiance with his riches.

Track 3: Climax (feat. 6LACK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5O4lLUSJL4

Impressions: Fun beat that coordinates with both vocalists, contradicting vocal styles that compliment each other well with each other in the background of the other’s verse, catchy hook laid by Thug, short and sweet, doesn’t overstay welcome

Featured Lyrics: “You said no interest (tsh-tsh-ah)/ Said you found a better climax (tsh-tsh-ah)/ You said he’s swagged out (tsh-tsh-ah), you leave (tsh-tsh-tsh)/ It’s like a shot to the back (tsh-tsh-ah)/ Through the nose of a barrel”  This woman leaves Thug for a man with better riches and looks, leaving him feeling betrayed

Track 4: Sin (feat. Jaden Smith)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrGwEypJ2U

Impressions: fun chorus and beat that ramps up nearing the hook, Jaden and Thug sound really well together, fun delivery from Thug in his verses and hook, little safe vocals from Jaden, nothing too special from him.

Featured Lyrics: “I’m higher than Scotty, they calling me Pippen/ I got some Cartier vision, it costs me six thousand/ I’m washing it with me/ Money’s the reason I’m sinning/ Money’s the reason I gotta take Ritalin”  Thugger sees money as the root toward some of his bad behaviors

Track 5: Real In My Veins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABrYirprm0

Impressions: The beat itself isn’t great, it does ramp up to the hook in an interesting way, giving a cool contrast between the verses and chorus in the song, and Thuggers vocals keep the track alive even though the production drags the song down for me

Featured Lyrics: “Came from the ground to the top, uh/ I’m ’bout to rob you some rocks, uh/ I’m bout to set up a shop, uh/ I’m bout to buy back the block, uh/ I got respect for the ‘Wop, uh” Thug shouts out his come up from the streets to stardom, even shouting out Gucci Mane as the first to give him a shot

Track 6: High (feat. Elton John)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIyH_9uaOQ

Impressions: Elton and Thug’s vocals harmonize well in the chorus, the production is really well done, with plenty of subtlety, not normally seen in hip hop music, during ramp up moments, new instruments are added to the beat, working well with the ups and downs of Thugs notes.

Featured Lyrics: “She let me back in like she never cried/ She let me back in like I never lied/ I look like a cat with eleven lives” Thug references his rocky relationship with his now fiance here, talking about past arguments and break ups.

Final Thoughts: Overall, while the album is quite short, clocking in around 20 minutes, it runs smoothly throughout and keeps a great pace. The production is outstanding and all the features work well with Thug’s delivery on each song. Young Thug himself is also exceptional on the album, mixing different but equally interesting vocal styles throughout.

I give this album a strong 8.7 out of ten, easily making my favorites of the year. For all Young Thug fans or just fans of hip hop in general, this album is a must listen.

Skips: On the Run

Top Tracks: Climax (feat 6LACK), Sin (feat Jaden Smith), High (feat Elton John)