Kanye West's "Ye"

After a very controversial interview with TMZ, Kanye scrapped an album he had been working on for months and wrote Ye in the span of about a month. With 7 great albums already on Kanye's discography, the publicity that his comments drew, and my love for all things Kanye, the hype surrounding this album was insanely high. While I'm not entirely sure what I expected, we got an album that dove straight into the life of Kanye West and who he is as a person. If Yeezus is the godly side of Kanye, this is the human side of him and it is complex and beautiful.

Individual Songs:

I Thought About Killing You-

Lyrics- The lyrics on this song are pretty dense. I wasn't sure how to go about writing this part since there's a lot of speculation behind the meaning of the lyrics. While I was trying to compose my thoughts, I realized that I didn't need to try to decode his lyrics. I just had to talk about how it made me get to that point and how it's been a while since an album has made me do that. The lyrics, at least during the first part, are super versatile and universal. There are multiple meanings behind it, even for Kanye. I love it and I had to listen to it a few times before I moved on to the rest of the album

Unfortunately, the rest of the song didn't quite have that effect on me. The lyrics are surface level ideas and don't really expand on what was presented in the first part. Sure there are some cool references and puns but it doesn't elevate the song very much. It doesn't necessarily bring it down either though. It's just a weird contrast.

Instrumental- Kanye has always been an innovator. He pushes the bounds of music and isn't afraid of putting it front and center of his albums. When he wanted to get away from traditional gangster rap, he wasn't afraid to have the first track on Late Registration have a soft piano instrumental with Adam Levine on guest vocals. Even then that is probably the safest opening track in his discography. The lengthy Say You Will, the pop-y Good Morning, the dense Dark Fantasy, the abrasive On Sight, and the beautiful futuristic gospel song that is Ultralight Beam prove that Kanye knows how to start an album. This album is no different. In fact, it's pretty close to what Kanye did with Ultralight Beam. I make that connection mostly because of the futuristic beat that Kanye uses. The distorted repetition of "I know" as the sole accompaniment for the first part of this song is something that's fairly unorthodox. It puts you in a trance that is almost impossible to snap out of. If it weren't for Kanye's voice occasionally saying something different, I could probably listen to this for a good 10 minutes without realizing it was repeating itself.

Kanye also understands that there are only two instruments on the first part of this track: the vocal sample and his own voice. He can't quite manipulate the sample more than he already has but he can manipulate his voice to push a message that goes far beyond what his words are saying. There are like, 3 different "voices" that he uses in the first part and he plays them off each other extremely well.

The first part ends right when Kanye starts rapping and the bass kicks in. This bass is amazing. It keeps the futuristic feel of the song and it just feels so good when it's the only thing next to two vocals. It doesn't last long, but I'm not too upset about it because it's followed by some space-y percussion that, again, adds to the futuristic feeling.

Then the second part ends and the third part comes in. That third part comes in without warning and it's a welcome change. The percussion changes pretty drastically and kicks in with a more traditional sound which fits great with Kanye's more traditional flow on this part. While I love those drums, my favorite part has got to be the synth that Kanye uses very subtly. It almost sounds like he took the vocals from part 1, got a choir of them, chopped the vocals up, and then used them as synth samples. It's really just a sample but it sounds so cool in the context of the song.

8/10

Overall, this song is great way to start the album and the only thing holding it down are the lyrics in the second part of the song.

Yikes-

Lyrics - Kanye has dealt with a lot of demons and he talks about a few here. Well, mostly his issues with opioids. He doesn’t delve too deep into the issues though. Rather he just touches on them at a surface level and that’s fine on a song like this. The mood would be ruined if he got too deep, I feel like. The lyrics are forgivable on this song since they neither elevate nor detract from it.

Instrumental - There isn’t much to say about this instrumental, honestly. It doesn’t stand out that much in the context of anything else Kanye has done. In fact, it kind of reminds me of something off of Yeezus. The beats on Yeezus were dark and this is probably one of the darker ones on Ye. It also fits the style of simple layers from Yeezus. Not to mention the delivery of the lyrics. Angry, reflective Kanye is amazing and we get a glimpse of that here. That delivery ends up making this song a subtle banger.

6/10

While it's a fun song, it doesn't stand out in the context of the album. It's still somehow going to end up being among my most played songs for a while though, even if it isn't that good.

All Mine-

Lyrics- This song has some of my favorite lines from any Kanye song and I love it. It honestly probably has the best lyrics on the album (sorry Violent Crimes, we'll get to you later). They're just FUN and playful and smart while fitting the whole theme of the song. I don't really know what else to say about the lyrics other than "that's just some Ye shit."

Instrumental- First of all, that bass line that dominates this instrumental is the catchiest thing I have heard from these Kanye projects so far. I can't get it out of my head! The other major part of this instrumental, the percussion, is extremely simple and it works really well because it lets Kanye and that bassline have the spotlight. What stands out in this though is that weird distorted noise that comes in at the middle. It elevates this song to an entirely different level. Like, I find myself waiting for this moment in the album whenever I start it. I will turn the volume up just for that part because it's so good. I don't think it'd be as good if Kanye's flow wasn't amazing on this though. He doesn't ease himself into this song and I love it. I guess if I had to say something bad about this instrumental, I would say that it doesn't give us a new sound from Kanye. Again, this sounds like something that would fit in on Yeezus and with every single Kanye album having a distinct recognizable sound, the lack of it here is a little disappointing.

7.5/10

Kanye is known for pushing boundaries and he just doesn't do that here. This is a really good song though and it's really fun to listen to. Sometimes that's all you need and it was definitely needed here.

Wouldn't Leave-

Lyrics- I'm torn on these lyrics. I love Kanye's relationship with Kim and this just makes me love them even more, but it's such a personal song that Kanye cheapens by trying to make it relatable at the end and addressing "every guy." I almost want to skip it every time. It's a good thing it's at the end though. Other than that, the lyrics are sweet and I like them but don't love them.

Instrumental- This whole beat is soft but that's good because it fits the tone of the song. There are really three parts to this instrumental but it doesn't sound as minimalist as the past few songs. There's some simple piano chords, a pretty prominent percussion part that attacks you but like, you're in a pillow fight so it's a super soft attack that's fun, and at some point a weird synth-y thing comes in and is kind of distracting once you notice it. It's almost like a fly that's flying around your face and won't go away no matter how much you swat at it. As far as features go, if Ghost Town didn't exist, this would be the winner for best guest vocalist. Everyone's voices just fit really well.

5.5/10

This probably won't be a song I'll throw on a bunch of playlists but it's sweet and fits in well on the album.

No Mistakes-

Lyrics- Kanye has one verse on this song so I don't really have much to say. I think this song is everywhere with the lyrics and it feels rushed. Actually, that's probably because it was rushed. I'm gonna be honest, I love arrogant Kanye but this doesn't do it for me. I mean, half of the verse is a Drake diss and that beef already feels old and definitely dates the song.

Instrumental - This is probably the best intro to a song on this album. You really feel the bass more than you hear it even if it was introduced as a main part of the song and I really how it's not overpowering. This might be the best mixed song on the album and that bass is a great example of why. The sample he uses is really catchy and unique too while the piano is reminiscent of some Late Registration-type beat. To follow that, Kanye's flow is also very similar to something off of Late Registration. I'm glad this song is short though because while it's a good beat, I feel like it would get old really quickly.

5/10

This is honestly the weakest song on the album but I still won't skip it when it comes on. You can feel how rushed the album was in this song and it's disappointing. Maybe if he had given himself more time, there could be another verse in here that would make this Drake diss worth it.

Ghost Town-

Lyrics- There is a lot here and I honestly don't think I have even scratched the surface of what the lyrics really mean. All I know is that it's beautiful. There is so much pain and raw emotion in the lyrics from everyone involved. I'm not really here to analyze the lyrics, but this is definitely a song that demands to be discussed. Now, if someone had told me that there would be a song like that on this album, I would've freaked out thinking it was a political song. I'm glad it's not. Instead, it's an optimistic song that manages to be relatable and intensely personal at the same time. It just feels nice to know that Kanye is doing better. Maybe this song came to me at the perfect time in my life, but I relate so much to it and singing along to it in the car while driving at night makes me very happy.

On an actual analytical point, there isn't a weak line on this song. Every single line is layered in meaning and holds so many different emotions. There are a few lines that stand out though. Those being Cudi's verse and 070 Shake's "I put my hand on the stove, to see if I still bleed." I just think they're beautiful.

Instrumental - Where do I even begin. Wow. Let's start at the beginning. That sample freaked me out at first because I thought we were finally going to hear the "real" version of Love Yourself and I wasn't ready for it. It's a perfect way to start the song because it forces you to pay attention and it subtly implies that this is a different song from the rest of the album. It almost makes it feel more important. The song then immediately goes into an honest, beautiful instrumental with every instrument seeming to be doing its own thing but working in perfect unison. There's this build up throughout PARTYNEXTDOOR's verse that is oddly subtle but it works and it works really well. The guitars get louder and louder until Cudi's magnificent voice comes in and they sort of calm down to dance along with the bass. It feels powerful and full of energy that's being contained. I also can't talk about this song and not talk about how much emotion Cudi packs into two lines. The fact that his vocals are off-key doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact, it makes the song that much better. You can just tell that this song is real and that Cudi has so much to say but doesn't have the words to say it. It's a great teaser for Kids See Ghosts (which I will get to after I finish this album).

Right after Cudi's part, there's this odd sound effect that sort of pushes everything into the background and lets Kanye have the spotlight and he takes full advantage of it. Kanye isn't a singer by any means and I think that's why I love 808s and Heartbreak. Despite him acknowledging the fact that he can't sing, he did it anyway because that was how he could express the feelings he had after his mom died. I think that's why I love his verse in this song as well. There are feelings that can't be expressed with rap and words alone and Kanye realizes this. He also subtly adds an organ sound in there during the build up before Cudi's second appearance which I think is cool especially since it becomes so crucial to Cudi's part.

Then 070 Shake comes in and makes this song really special. The guitars come back in full force and just keep building and building until it gets released along with her singing "free." It happens a few more times and it doesn't get old. Part of that is because of the new sounds that are introduced every repetition. The drums, which had taken a step back for the most part on this song, come in bigger and better than anything else on this album. The bass, which was catchy and melodic at the beginning, blends into the background becomes something that you feel deep in your chest. This attention to detail is amazing and leaves me speechless. The change to distorted drums have an indescribably effect on me when they come in too. It just feels so good. Speaking of feeling good, those lasers are the most nostalgic thing I have heard in a long time. Those sound effects transport me back in time and I don't even have any memory of those noises in my childhood.

Then it all ends with a beautiful, cathartic mix of 070 Shake's voice yelling "free", a powerful bassline, and one last power chord from the guitar.

10/10

Violent Crimes-

Lyrics- The lyrics really stand out in this song for a few reasons.

The Good - This is a dad song. It makes me want to hug my non-existent daughter and that's a really odd feeling that I didn't think I would ever get from a song. It's an honest, open Kanye just spilling his thoughts over a beat and it has some of his best lyrics in a while. The song is also interesting because it show's Kanye's evolution as a person. I mean, he literally wrote 3 albums where he dropped references to being late to class, skipping class, and doing other shenanigans and yet here he is, telling his daughters to not skip class and to behave. It's just interesting to see that change.

The Bad - I feel like the idea of protecting his daughters is amazing but the means end up being detrimental and sexist. The lyrics perpetuate a weird hyper-sexual view of women that does the opposite of what Kanye wants. He is still saying that her body is the only thing that men will value and it kind of turned me away from the song at first. I've tried to look at it in a different way and it has kind of helped. Now I see it more as Kanye telling his daughters that there are people like that out there that will absolutely only value their body and that they should be careful. It's a horrible thought to have but it's the truth and Kanye just wants to make sure that his daughters are as safe as they can be. That is just me trying to justify the lyrics though and maybe not entirely true. I want to see someone ask him about this and clear things up a bit.

Instrumental - This instrumental feels ethereal and the hook by 070 Shake only emphasizes that feeling. It's just very light and comforting and beautiful. Even the silences hold a lot of weight in this song and they make me feel good. They sort of give you a chance to breathe and take everything in. Kanye's flow and voice isn't really special on this track and it's just kind of there. The features on the other hand steal the show. 070 Shake is amazing and Ty Dolla coming in on the second compliments her voice extremely well.

Also, I don't know if this belongs in lyrics or instrumental but Nikki's voicemail at the end is really cool. The last time she was featured on a Kanye song, it was in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy which has "Monster", the song she references (and also has the best Nikki verse ever). She actually begins MBDTF and it's cool to hear her end Ye.

7/10

Final Verdict

7/10

This was a much needed glimpse into Kanye's life. I hyped it up so much that I was afraid it wasn't going to meet my expectations. I honestly didn't even know what those expectations were, I just knew they were high. It exceeded them though and I'm really happy with it. It's refreshing and beautiful and another classic to add to Kanye's discography. The only downfall of the album was the fact that it was rushed but sometimes that ended up working in favor of the album because it added more raw feelings to it.