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Brent Faiyaz, known for his velvety smooth vocals and evocative R&B tracks, stumbles with his third studio album, “Larger Than Life.” Known for his captivating lyrics and atmospheric beats, Faiyaz fails to deliver on the ambitious promise of his latest project.
Dull opening
The album’s start is disappointing, with only one full-length song among the first five tracks of the 14-track album. Faiyaz begins with an authoritative introductory interlude, a familiar gesture given his fondness for soundbites and samples. However, after the promising track featuring Missy Elliot and Lil Gray, listeners are left with three back-to-back songs, each less than two minutes long. These brief tracks feel more like hastily composed nursery rhymes than fully developed songs, leaving listeners without a solid rhythm to engage with the album.
The short length of these early tracks prevents listeners from fully immersing themselves in the music, setting a disappointing tone for the rest of the album. By the time the songs begin, many listeners may already feel disconnected, with the weak beginning disrupting the overall listening experience.
Poor midsection
After a mediocre debut, Faiyaz delivers five full-length tracks that fail to impress. With the exception of “Moment Of Your Life” featuring Coco Jones, which features a rare moment of synergy, the other songs almost put listeners to sleep. Jones’ contribution stands out, his vocals blending seamlessly with Faiyaz’s, offering a glimpse of what the album could have achieved.
Tracks like “Outside All Night” and “Wherever I Go” fall flat, lacking the energy and creativity expected from Faiyaz. The artists featured on the album, with the exception of Jones, struggle to make a positive impact. A$AP Rocky’s highly anticipated featurette is particularly disappointing. Rocky oscillates awkwardly between his signature rap style and a forced R&B tone. Despite some clever lines, Rocky’s performance feels inadequate and underutilized.
Weak collaborations
“Upset,” the ninth track, offers a brief respite from the album’s overall mediocrity. Here, Faiyaz finally seems to wake up, energized by a mind-blowing rhythm reminiscent of his previous hits on “Sonder Son” and “WASTELAND”. His collaborators on the track, Tommy Richman and FELIX!, bring distinct styles that add a refreshing dynamic.
However, this brief success is overshadowed by the album’s disappointing collaborations. Unknown artists like A$AP ANT and CruddyMurda deliver mediocre performances that fail to elevate the project. ANT’s inability to stay on pace, coupled with crude lyrics, makes his feature film forgettable. CruddyMurda fares even worse on “On This Side”, with wacky and off-putting lyrics that detract from the overall quality of the album.
ANT and CruddyMurda’s verses, as well as Faiyaz’s poorly timed lyrics on “Pistachios,” aren’t just disappointing: they raise serious questions about Faiyaz’s artistic direction. These tracks seem more suited to a homemade SoundCloud release than a major studio album from an established R&B artist.
Critical missteps
Throughout “Larger Than Life,” Faiyaz’s lyrics often sound lazy and uninspired. Derogatory terms and corny rhymes suggest he’s running out of creative material. This lack of lyrical depth is particularly glaring given Faiyaz’s reputation for sharp and poignant compositions. The title of the album suggests a grandiose and ambitious project, but the content falls far short of this promise.
Future prospects
Brent Faiyaz has consistently completed his previous projects, both as a solo artist and with his band Sonder. However, “Larger Than Life” represents a significant step backwards. If Faiyaz wants to maintain his status as an R&B superstar, he needs to address the issues that plague this album – from weak lyrical content to poorly chosen collaborators.
The album’s failures are compounded by its audacious title, which promises greatness but delivers mediocrity. Faiyaz’s decision-making throughout this project, from song structure to featured artists, ultimately undermines its potential. Despite this misstep, there remains hope that Faiyaz can learn from these shortcomings and return to form in future releases.
Conclusion
Larger Than Life” is a failure for Brent Faiyaz, an album that does not meet expectations. Its disjointed structure, uninspired lyrics, and lackluster collaborations contribute to a project that feels anything but “larger than life.” For an artist of Faiyaz’s caliber, this album is a reminder that even the most talented can sometimes miss their mark. There remains hope that his next effort will see a return to the brilliance that has defined his career thus far.
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