Following my non-chronological exploration of Ye's discography is his sixth solo studio album Yeezus. After experiencing his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak, I assumed he wouldn't be able to top my opinion of him, but boy was I wrong. I discovered this album due to production from Daft Punk being present. I didn't know what to expect from this album.
When I heard the opening track "On Sight" for the first time... Within the first ten seconds, it seemed like I had forgotten everything I knew about hip-hop as a whole. The sermon's sample as an interlude really tops it all off. I wondered if the subsequent tracks could even compete with that (spoiler alert: they do).
The second track "Black Skinhead" again captivates you within the first few seconds with its very hard-hitting industrial-influenced percussion. A total departure from the previous track which is electro-influenced. The third track "I Am A God" in my opinion brings a good balance between the aforementioned sounds.
The song "Hold My Liquor" in contrast to the first three, takes time to build up to its amazing parts, the song begins with an amazing intro by Justin Vernon, followed by the chorus sung by Chief Keef, followed by a verse by West displaying pure and raw anger throughout accompanied by riffs that can only be described as primal and ending with an amazing guitar solo by Mike Dean.
Apart from the aforementioned songs, even the other few such as "Guilt Trip" make an impact on the listener. All of the ten songs induce an electro and industrial sound and although are very different they are held together by the brash, distorted and primal direction Ye has taken. This was the first time I heard a hip-hip record that was experimental, like a whole new sound altogether.