In the modern hip-hop community, rap group Migos has quickly become one of the largest and most popular acts amongst a plethora artists. The Atlanta-based trio first made waves in 2013 with the massive popularity of its single “Versace”. Since this release, the group has maintained on their momentum, releasing a slew of well-received singles and albums.
With the lead single “Bad and Boujee” of its new release “Culture” going platinum, Migos is undoubtedly primed to continue its streak of success. However, the acclaim for “Bad and Boujee” makes the relatively uninspiring “Culture” even more disappointing.
Throughout its, career Migos has become the masters of its own patented sound. Trap-influenced tracks with strong baselines and echoing effects serve as the backdrop for the bouncy, triplet-heavy rhyme schemes the group frequently employs. Together, the backing tracks and the rhyming combines to create songs that are equally smooth and slapping. While their lyrics have always left a lot to desire, the style Migos has crafted is undeniably energetic and catchy. A well-crafted Migos track always succeeds in becoming a perfectly-synced wall of sound — as mysterious as it is energetic.
Unfortunately, on “Culture”, Migos has issues with its system of song creation, which fails to work more often than not. In a majority of songs on the album, the music and the rap seem to fight each other more than collaborate. The backing instrumentals of many of these songs seem to collide sloppily with the group’s lyrics, muddying each other instead of coming together cleanly and crisply, like on the best Migos tracks.
What listeners are left with are songs that feel uneasy due to this lack of coordination — almost as if the music was off-tempo with itself. “Big on Big” and “Deadz” exemplify the results of this problem. Both songs have surging baselines that fit the rapping of Migos members particularly poorly — it sounds as though the group is about to wipe out in its own sonic waves.
For all of these issues, “Culture” still has several bright spots. Along with the highly-catchy singles “T-Shirt” and “Bad and Boujee,” the album presents several moments where Migos’ formula works to perfection. The song “Get Right Witcha” features a fun flute-led instrumental, creating the perfect backdrop for Migos’ raps. Additionally, it bounces around smoothly with a dark, almost circus-like aesthetic.
The “Kelly Price” collaboration with Travis Scott features more of the same, taking a definite Scott influence with a multitude of dark, ethereal sounds. Throughout this track Migos and Scott create a mysterious and almost pained aura around themselves — an amazing change of pace on the album.
Although Migos once again tried to stick to its tried and true formula in 'Culture', it fell short. While it comes off overall as something of a mess, songs like “Kelly Price” and “Get Right Witcha” serve as hopeful indicators of how Migos will progress in the future. Further experimentation in those styles will certainly be more exciting than the majority of this relatively predictable album.
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