AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP
Hailed as the post-Internet savior of New York rap, A$AP Rocky fully embraces the weight of those lofty expectations on his ambitious sophomore full-length. *AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP* finds the unflappable Harlem native marveling at his own meteoric success through an expertly curated set of beats—with production that corrals toothsome rock and soul samples, atmospheric pop menace, and trunk-rattling traditionalism. While “Wavybone” is a simple yet deeply satisfying highlight that also features sterling performances from two of Rocky’s most audible influences, Juicy J and UGK, “L$D” combines woozy low end and a glittering tangle of xx-like guitar lines for a psychedelic love song that’s sung but not rapped. “Everyday” turns a soulful Rod Stewart vocal sample (from the 1970 Python Lee Jackson cut “In a Broken Dream”) into a massive, Miguel and Mark Ronson–assisted meditation on fame and happiness.
During the gap between A$AP Rocky’s sophomore album, At.Long.Last.A$AP, and his major label debut, his mentor A$AP Yams’ died. With A.L.L.A.—executive produced by Yams, along with Danger Mouse and featuring Kanye, Lil Wayne, Future, and M.I.A. among others—a real sense of identity has begun to coalesce in Rocky’s work.
As you should’ve surmised from the album cover, the stakes are high on At.Long.Last.A$AP. It’s A$AP Rocky’s make-or-break effort after Long.Live.A$AP left many disappointed. Plus, A$AP Yams’ void is still hanging over hip-hop. As a result, A$AP Rocky was tasked with both a redemption quest and a tribute for a friend.
Graduating from good weed to good-trippin' LSD, rapper A$AP Rocky tunes in, drops out, and turns down for what on At.
Critics have charged hip-hop with becoming a conservative space with redundant production, predictable feature appearances and safe musical...
<p><strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>: A$AP Rocky hopes to usher in a new era of global unity with his debut album. It is good, but that might be a push</p>
A$AP Rocky’s second album finds him once again gazing lovingly into the mirror … but this is self-regard of near-perfect delivery
The 26-year-old rapper's epic, psychedelic third album confirms the audacity of modern hip hop, says Neil McCormick