Album Review: Concrete Boys – It's Us Vol. 1

Rating: 6.1

Lil Yatchy's newly formed band, Concrete Boys, is a hip hop collective made up of talented and ambitious young artists eager to establish themselves in the music industry. Their debut project, It's Us Vol. 1, sets the stage for the future of rap with standout performances from artists like KARRAHBOOO, Camo!, Draft Day, Dc2trill, and the group's leader, Lil Yachty. While the entire album has an experimental vibe, it still maintains a cohesive sound. The production is flawless, and each rapper brings their A-game, making this debut truly exceptional and an enjoyable listening experience. The selection of instrumentals is truly captivating. Some of the standout beats that really captured my attention in this project were M.O.B, 2 HANDS 2 EYES 10 WHIPS/RENT DUE, LA REID, UP YO STANDARDS, ON THE RADAR, and PIMPIN AINT EASY. The latter had a reminiscent vibe to Drake's (“Calling For You”) evoking that For All the Dogs energy. It's worth noting that Lil Yachty and Drake have a history of collaboration, so it's no surprise to hear familiar beats on their respective albums.

Concrete Boys effortlessly establish themselves as a solid hip-hop band. Each member excelled in their roles, delivering exceptional performances and creating memorable moments that will be revisited in the future. One standout artist is the incredibly talented female emcee, KARRAHBOOO. She leaves a lasting impression, especially on her solo track (“WHERE YO DADDY”) where she flawlessly navigates the beat with witty and catchy lyrics. The production itself feels tailor-made for her.

It's Us Vol. 1 exudes a calm and smooth vibe, offering a soul-searching experience. This trap odyssey aims to introduce listeners to a whole new world of tranquility and get-money music. One of the main highlights is the two-part production of (“2 HANDS 2 EYES 10 WHIPS/RENT DUE”). It features heavy instrumentation that creates a sensational vibe, making it one of the album's standout moments. Lil Yachty delivers hard-hitting lines like, “I can't hang with these niggas/ They don't be havin' many goals, like a game of FIFA”. Another outstanding moment is Lil Yachty's solo effort, (“M.O.B.”). The beat is catchy, and the production allows Lil Yachty to experiment and have fun with his lyrics, delivering some caption-worthy lines like, “Blurry vision, almost hope that Jesus grab the wheel”.

Another noteworthy moment is (“UP YO STANDARDS”), finds Camo! effortlessly floating on the expertly Harley Arsenault & Ok produced beat. This is a personal favorite of mine, as it speaks volumes with its flawless lyricism and mixing. It's one of those songs that you can easily vibe to. (“ON THE RADAR”) is the only track that features all five members. It's like a swansong but more like a cypher session, where each artist showcases their improvisational skills and lyrical prowess. It serves as a perfect second-to-last outro, closing the album with mesmerizing performances. The bass hits all the right places and the sample sounds like a trumpet-blow throughout the track, bringing that infusion of trap and jazz to life.

It's Us Vol. 1 captivates with its remarkable cohesiveness and flawless sequencing. Each track seamlessly flows into the next, providing a truly satisfying musical journey. This album is a genuine labor of passion that acquaints listeners with an innovative sonic creation, while also teasing the potential for an exciting sequel in the future, as it proudly bears the title, Volume 1.

Outstanding Tracks: “ON THE RADAR”, “UP YO STANDARDS”, “2 HANDS 2 EYES 10 WHIPS/RENT DUE” & “LA REID”