Album Review: ¥$, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign – VULTURES 2

Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap

Label: YZY

Released: August 3, 2024

Format: LP

“Ty makes a commendable effort to realize the album's vision, but Ye detracts from it with uninspired lyrics and a lack of shared direction.”

At this stage, Kanye West now known as Ye has accomplished everything, leaving nothing left to prove. Known for his groundbreaking and inventive work, he stands as one of the most critically acclaimed and successful artists of the 21st century. His achievements in the last decade have been among the most influential and inspiring in pop culture. From 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to 2013's Yeezus, Kanye West was an unstoppable force, inspiring a generation. In the 2020s, as he attempts to reaffirm his talent, he often overextend, resulting in controversial outcomes that lead people to question him and his artistry. Despite this, his legacy will undoubtedly endure.

Kanye West previewing TLOP at The Yeezy Season 3 collection in 2016

Approaching VULTURES 2, I had modest expectations, and I wouldn't characterize this album as faultless. It felt fragmented, incomplete, and rushed in certain areas. Although the tracklist sequencing appears thoughtfully arranged, it lacks a certain degree of polish. Ye's previous albums have been renowned for their meticulous arrangement and composition, providing a seamless listening experience. For instance, 2004's The College Dropout was an outstanding hip-hop album, with its storytelling and production offering notable highlights that left the listener fully satisfied. Even 2021's Donda, despite suffering from its lengthy duration, stood out for its introspective and cohesive nature, underscoring Ye's versatility as an artist who has significantly contributed to the hip-hop genre. VULTURES 2 has an experimental vibe in many parts, but it feels forced into being a complete collaboration between Ty Dolla $ign and Ye. Many of the songs lack the musical elements needed to keep listeners engaged. However, a few tracks do have the potential to entertain large audiences, as the album seeks to capture a specific moment. Tracks like "FIELD TRIP," "FRIED," "PROMOTION," "RIVER," and "DEAD" are examples of songs that would enhance the listening experience at live events. "FRIED" might have been better titled "Carnival Pt. 2" to embrace the idea of a sequel, as both tracks share a similar energy.

VULTURES 2 lacks the depth and craftsmanship required for genuine appreciation. It feels like a collection of songs assembled with the intent to make an impact but ultimately falls short in execution. Even Vultures 1 was an improvement over the ill-fated Donda 2, which ended up being scrapped and forgotten. It's challenging to discern whether Ye penned some of these tracks himself, as there have been speculations on social media suggesting that some songs were crafted by AI. Ye strives to recapture his The Life of Pablo era charm with tracks like "SKY CITY," where he delivers his most playful and exuberant moments on the album. However, these efforts are overshadowed by the album's lackluster reception, as it seems nothing Ye releases now garners respect or the benefit of the doubt. "MY SOUL" has the potential to resonate with the hip-hop community, but its lazy production and apparent lack of effort diminish its impact, resulting in one of the weakest Ye outros to date.

Ye and Ty Dolla $ign at Vultures 1 listening party, December 11, 2023

VULTURES 2 seeks to resonate with the dedicated fan base of Ty and Ye but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact or offer memorable moments. It’s an album that proves difficult to appreciate unless you’re in a very particular mood. This project stands as one of the most underwhelming and disappointing hip-hop albums by an artist once held in high esteem. Ty makes a commendable effort to realize the album's vision, but Ye detracts from it with uninspired lyrics and a lack of shared direction. Ye might benefit from taking a hiatus from music production, as continuing to release work of this nature only tarnishes his legacy and erodes the respect his catalog has earned.

VULTURES 2 appears polished and sophisticated on the surface but feels unfocused and lacking ambition beneath. The album strives to explore futuristic themes and nonstop ecstasy, as seen in the remake of "Carnival" with "FRIED," but struggles to balance recreation with creativity. The shortcomings of the album become apparent in the latter half, exposing a fundamental lack of ambition and cohesion needed to craft a truly complete work.

Outstanding Track: "DEAD"

Album Score: 5.1/10