http://musicisagoodthing.tumblr.com/post/107791347908/rae-sremmurd-sremmlife
While we don’t quite get the same consistent heights of the best songs here (“YNO”, “No Type”, “No Flex Zone”), the -baseline- is pretty high — both the literal bass, and the quality+sound of the music filling up the spaces in-between. I’m impressed with how developed these guys sound and it’s been a delight having Rae on the radio in ‘14; to have this album start off 2015 so light-heartedly.
Some criticize these guys for being a rip-off of Young Thug, only to forget that Young Thug himself built his entire career on being Lil Wayne at his most narcotic — intentionally and with pride. In my opinion, the chemistry these guys have with Mike WiLL Made-it reminds of the Wall of Sound production technique (created by none other than Phil Spector) and that’s enough to separate them from Thug’s influence. If that sounds crazy, take a look at the psychedelic cover art for the “No Type” single; the fact that these guys are bragging about safe sex. When these guys team up with Mike WiLL, you end up getting these infinite worlds of sound: oozing positivity and radiating across the radio (just like Spector’s collaborations did in the 60’s).
Yet, much like a great single from yesteryear, the album’s surrounding material is largely avoidable. While it’s downright terrifying how Young Chop manipulates and maneuver rap’s pieces into his voodoo-cauldron (“My X”), SremmLife features one-too-many instances of not-as-fully-realized collaborations. If you’re into rap, even slightly, this is an unavoidable release — you can’t miss some of these songs — it’s just obvious when you’re listening to the ones you can miss.
One final thought: the fact that Rae opted to include their remixed version of what was perfect-as-is (“No Flex Zone”) — a remix that emphasizes shock value and initial appeal rather than letting the weirdness grow on you, slowly and faded — hurts. As one of their three undeniably perfect songs, to not include it on an album (threatening to consume itself in filler) only further hurts replay-ability.
Listen: “YNO”