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I thoughtanother new Pop Smoke albumwould make me sad.
Hismurder last yearwas senseless.
He wasfinding his way.
Dior ran New York City through several seasons.
That rarely happens here.
In another year, Pop wouldve been a superstar.
It felt like the clouds opened, like the stars had aligned.
He was working out how to take a local sound nationwide and trying to leave his wilder ways behind.
Its joyous and celebratory and snide.
Everyone whos anyone is there, and Pop holds court with mainstream music kings like born royalty.
Most of it works.
The beat tacks textbook drill drums onto synth pop sounds, breaking for a sample of a choir.
(Was this originally aDONDAsong?)
Pusha T is as arrogant and eloquent as ever.
Its so crowded and outrageous and spirited and weird theres almost not even time to stew about mortality.
Faithis full of these moments.
It refuses to let its somber circumstances weigh it down.
Its just that when its playing, Pop Smoke feels very alive and happy.
