Didn’t expect this to be as big a step back from Aquemini as it was. There’s little on ATLiens that would make me expect the genre-splitting landmark album of hip hop, soul, and funk that predated artists like Kanye West. If anything, it’s the opposite kind of album. It’s not interested in trailblazing and would much rather sit back and posture its own coolness rather than prove it. The occasional female singing sample is breadcrumbs compared to what talent of musical arrangement they had before.

And there’s nothing inherently wrong with a more standard approach so long as it’s done well, but an hour of these songs with identical slow tempos and monotone soft beats is hard to argue for. Only “Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)” has an impeccable hook. And hooks are what the rest of these tracks are clearly trying for, but they don’t stand out enough for me to really care, and I have my doubts further details would be revealed with more listens of ATLiens.