I wasn't particularly sold on reviewing this album until I heard it. Logic got my nod for AOTY (album of the year) 2014 and in the 4th quarter of this year, I was impressed by the lead singles Like Woah, and Young Jesus that were included in my preview of the album. Like Woah had a sing/rap feel reminiscent of the style Kendrick performed the hook of i, his own lead single. Young Jesus provided the spectacular flows and bars we already expected from the Maryland spitter. It was the assist from Big Lenbo that stole the show. When I first heard his voice I thought it was a sample of an old Big Pun song. His style is very similar and he delivered with flare.
My Incredible True Story was better than the first, thus his nomination for AOTY back to back. It was as the title suggests, a story. The project wasn't a collection of songs but an entire narrative about a couple of guys in a spaceship trying to find paradise in the year 2093. The gents decide to listen to oldies (at least for them) and that's how the album begins. Logic is super clever for that one. The skits and scenes between and at the end of songs are funny and really support the story. The transitions between the songs were mixed well my favorite being Young Jesus into Intermission. Two different styles of boom bap percussion but fits like a puzzle piece.
Logic took a few risks on this album. Some worked better than others but the effort is dope. I Am The Greatest was a swing and miss at a trap beat. I did like the sample and use of the Greatest Ever, Muhammad Ali's interviews. Lord Willing and City of Stars were a good follow up and shot in the dark themselves. Logic rapped on both but he really did take the time to work on his vocals in song. He does well singing the hook on Lord Willing but it's City of Stars where I was super impressed. It had a Kayne, 808's, Say You Will feel to me. Another one of my favorite jams was Paradise with Jesse Boykins III lending his voice on the hook. The album ends on a super deep note. I expected the journey to Paradise to be them finding a inhabitable planet that wasn't the Earth that they destroyed long ago. Scary to think it could be a reality one day. Lucidity - Scene skit is where they really explain their tale. They told a tragedy that original music hasn't been created since they left the Earth. Their pursuit of Paradise was actually a place inside our own minds where we can be free.
The buzz around this album was a lot better than the first. All the major radio shows had him in for an interview. On The Breakfast Club he broke down the album and its premise. Out on LA's Power 106 he even wowed the eyes and ears freestyling off the top and solving a Rubik's cube at the same time, B*tches love Rubik's cubes huh?
The Incredible True Story took a cool element letting the A.I. system (and it's upgrade), Thalia, make another appearance from the first album, Under Pressure. All in all this album was definitely better than the last and there was a lot of growth as an artist. I love that he took chances. Some things worked, some not so much. At least, he knows now for his next. The buzz is incredible. This time last year I think most of us asked "Who's Logic?" Next year the question will be "Where's Logic?" No number rating on this until it's that time of the year. Listen for yourself after the break.
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