This is the debut studio album from 2017 XXL Freshman KYLE (also known as SuperDuperKyle), who has been releasing mixtapes since 2013, with “Beautiful Loser” and his 2015 follow-up “Smyle,” the latter of which even charted on the Billboard 200. He really hit his stride in 2017, when his late 2016 single “iSpy” peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 (it also reached #28 on the Year-End Hot 100), leading to him being signed to Atlantic Records and, as I said earlier, being chosen as a XXL Freshman. Though some have proclaimed that he “fell off” and he didn’t really have a big follow-up to “iSpy,” he has continued to release singles in 2018, like “To the Moon,” “Playinwitme,” and “Ikuyo.”
Now, personally, I only learned about KYLE through “iSpy,” but that song was one of my personal favorite Top 10-peaking singles in 2017, and it’s a song I’ve continued to play on loop even now. I’m particularly glad that he chose to include the single on this album, even though he seemed to mention that the song was a mere throwaway (best damn throwaway you could ask for, I’d say). And while I don’t regularly listen to a lot of his songs, I found him to be my personal favorite of last year’s XXL Freshmen, because it seemed to me like he was the one that was the most excited to be there, and I loved his energy and positive vibe that he had throughout a lot of his performances. The fact that he lined this album with huge features like Khalid, 2 Chainz, Kehlani, and of course one of my personal favorite artists Alessia Cara, was only icing on the cake. So, let’s see if “this shit’s still so cold,” as he proclaimed in “iSpy,” shall we?
Ups & Downs: A track that feels somewhat ethereal and woozy, KYLE talks about how the moments that get him down won’t keep him from staying up and feeling excited. It’s honestly a different side of KYLE that I didn’t really expect to see since he talks about his sad side a bit more on this one. I like the production here, it’s very bright and considerably upbeat, and I like KYLE’s performance here, it kinda gives me some Chance the Rapper vibes. I also really like that lyric “you could be a Budden or a Boat,” referring to the now-infamous “Everyday Struggle” interview with Lil Yachty and Joe Budden. Speaking of Yachty, he actually appears on this one as the voice in KYLE’s head in a skit in the end, and admittedly, it’s kinda funny. I like this one quite a bit.
Coming, Going? (ft. Take 6): The album just started and we already have an interlude? Huh, that’s strange. Either way, I’ve been saying for a while that KYLE reminded me of Drake, and with the moody, atmospheric production on this track, along with some of KYLE’s vocals, I get that here. Still, it does have a nice relaxed vibe to it, and KYLE’s autotune-assisted vocals do sound nice, even if this track could’ve used a better hook. Take 6 doesn’t really have a huge presence on the track, and that’s what makes their feature a bit weirder to me, especially since this is essentially an interlude. Still, not a bad track, even if it's not one of my personal favorites on the album.
Zoom: What kind of serves as a continuation of the last track, KYLE talks on here about how he’s zooming past his problems and keeping himself thinking about his fame and success. It does once again give me some Drake vibes, but I do like the very moody production on this one that meshes well with the head-noddy 808-drum beat. And again, while KYLE’s vocals feel Drake-esque, they’re still pretty smooth and nice on the ears. Good song.
Ikuyo (ft. 2 Chainz and Sophia Black): A track with some Japanese influence, none the more noticeable than in Sophia Black’s Japanese lyrics on her pre-chorus, KYLE once again talks about how he's changed from “lame to fame” on this one. While the production doesn’t really change up too much from the previous tracks, it is a pretty neat, upbeat song with some great vocals from KYLE and, as you’d expect, a great guest verse from 2 Chainz. Pretty cool track that I definitely see myself coming back to a bit.
Games: Knowing that KYLE loves video games (which I also love), I’m really glad that he made a track called “Games” that has video game-inspired production. Said production is very bright and infectious, and while it might again seem generic that KYLE is talking about how he wants to accumulate more wealth and fame, I think his vocals mesh well with the production on this one, and I think the track as a whole just has a nice fun vibe to it. It’s not super deep or lyrical (it’s turn-up music, is it supposed to be?), but it’s still really fun and woozy and I can see myself coming back to it a lot in the future.
Babies (ft. Alessia Cara): This track was the one I was probably looking forward to the most (it features Alessia Cara, after all), and this one actually isn’t about fame or wealth. Instead, it’s about young love and the confusion that is felt in young relationships. The song has a very moody, sad feel to it, and KYLE takes a bit of a backseat on this one, allowing Alessia to soak up more of the attention. Even so, they both come through with some very pretty vocals, and they have some solid vocal interplay with one another. Really dig this one!
OpenDoors (ft. Avery Wilson): Lil Yachty returns to this one to talk to KYLE about his girl problems. And while the song itself has a pretty cool, bright vibe to it, I think the hook on this one is kind of weak, and KYLE’s verse, while funny in that he’s kinda speak-rapping, just feels a bit silly, honestly (especially when he’s dropping bars about how doesn’t play that many games on his Xbox and how he’s “cheeks” and “butt” because of that). The production also doesn’t really try to differentiate itself from much else on the album, and while Avery Wilson has some nice vocals, it feels like he doesn’t have enough of a presence on the track. It’s another nice song to vibe to, but it’s definitely far from the best on the album.
To the Moon: While I didn’t really listen to a lot of the singles from this thing prior to the album's release, this was one I did get a few listens out of before the album dropped. In it, KYLE talks about the fame that he’s received since releasing “iSpy,” becoming a XXL Freshman, and getting big performances. This one is definitely a much slower jam than some of the other songs on the album, but it’s still plenty energetic and I like KYLE’s flow throughout his verses. His vocals remain smooth, and while there’s not a lot to the hook, it’s still pretty catchy. I definitely like this one quite a bit!
Playinwitme (ft. Kehlani): One of the big singles from this thing, KYLE and Kehlani sing here about a girl who is wasting their time by playing with their emotions. I like the very bright, bouncy piano-driven melody on this one, and I think the hook is easily one of the most infectious on the record. I think KYLE and Kehlani both bring the goods with their vocals, and I can totally see why this track got the single treatment: it’s pretty damn good.
iMissMe (ft. Khalid): KYLE got Khalid on a track? Nice! This one definitely had my attention from the jump, and I really dug the more funky feel of it. A very synth-driven song about the end of a relationship, this one also has a really grooving bassline and a very danceable vibe. KYLE’s vocals mesh well with the production here, as does Khalid's, who brings a really fun sing-rap feel to his verse. The two of them also have some really great vocal interplay as well. Word of advice, KYLE: release this one as a single. It’s probably already in the plans, but hey, it’ll be worth it, it’s a great track!
ShipTrip: A track where KYLE takes on a slightly different persona to talk about his struggles, this is another song that has a somewhat ethereal but still upbeat vibe that, unfortunately, I just don’t really find all that interesting. Obviously, it’s a pretty emotional track and I like KYLE’s vocals here, but I just think this cut just feels a bit too much like a lot of the other stuff on here, without much to differentiate it or make it super interesting. Decent to vibe to, but not much else.
Rodeo: A pretty bouncy track where KYLE talks about a girl who becomes so starstruck by Los Angeles and rap culture, this one has a really nice piano melody unfortunately hidden behind the overpowering drum beat. Said drum beat is still very catchy, though, and I do like KYLE’s vocals a lot throughout this one. Not really all that crazy about the hook, but it’s got a good flow and a head-noddy feel to it and I think it might grow on me if I give it a few more listens.
It’s Yours: Okay, so apparently this track is about KYLE losing his virginity. I don’t know why, but something about that made me laugh. Either way, it’s a much slower track (you know, they talk about taking it slow and all with sexual activities) and I like the beat on this one, but I’m not all that crazy about some of the vocal filters on KYLE’s voice. Still, I have to applaud him because he takes a topic that could easily be silly and actually makes it pretty fun. The speech at the end is pretty funny, too, though I wouldn’t take KYLE’s advice: if she doesn’t text you back, leave her the hell alone, don’t text again. And if she doesn’t give you her address, PLEASE don’t look her house up in Google Maps, that’s creepy. Anyway, the song isn’t one of my favorites on the album, but it’s not too bad.
Clouds: A really short track about KYLE finally finding that positive feeling inside of him, I really dig the very minimal instrumentals on this one, as it feels like it puts KYLE is front and center. This song is about him, it’s his most personal, he’s gonna talk about how he’s found himself and how he’s finally happy. I love his vocals on this cut (as usual), and though the instrumental is very minimal, I think it sounds very pretty and meshes well with his vocals. This could’ve worked as the final song on the album, but like Lil Uzi Vert did with “Luv is Rage 2,” the more emotional song will obviously be followed by the big hit, but at least that still works in the context of this album’s story.
iSpy (ft. Lil Yachty): I’m glad KYLE included this song to end off the album because this is one I just can’t get out of my head. I love the very tropical, danceable vibe of this song, KYLE’s vocals and rap flow are really fun, and even Lil Yachty comes in and has some fun, even if he comes through with a couple cringe bars (it’s Yachty, so I’m not shocked at this point). This song rang off for me last summer, and I couldn’t stop listening to it. Funny thing is, I still can’t stop listening to it! It’s such a fun, exciting track that’s gotten a lot of replays out of me, and I’m glad KYLE included it at the end of this album. Also, with the record’s theme of Yachty being KYLE’s “conscience,” I think the song makes even more sense in the context of the record, as his conscience guided him through the album and now gets to jump on the song with him. Definitely a great track, I’m glad this was what ended the album.
Guys, honestly, I’m not sure if people will agree or disagree, but I REALLY liked this record! KYLE is an artist with a very feel-good personality, and I think he really brings that here, even on the lower moments of the record. It’s an exploration of a different side of him, but it’s also a very upbeat and charismatic album with some great vocal performances and very woozy, fun production. Is this album gonna go down as one of the all-time classics in hip-hop? Maybe not, in fact, I kinda worry it’s gonna end up going underrated and not see huge chart-numbers, and that’s a shame because there are some really fun tracks on this thing. At least “iSpy” became a hit. Either way, regardless of whether or not the songs on this thing end up reaching the Top 10, I think KYLE really comes through with a great first project here, and I’m interested in hearing more out of him in the future. I hope nothing ever gets in the way of his positive vibe and fun-loving demeanor.
Favorite tracks: Ups & Downs, Zoom, Ikuyo, Games, Babies, To The Moon, Playinwitme, iMissMe, Clouds, iSpy
Least favorite tracks: OpenDoors, ShipTrip
Rating: Excellent
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