Spencer Wu
Copy Editor
One of the most proliferate rap groups today, A$AP Mob (rounded out by Nast, Twelvyy, Ant and Bari, among others) put out its second full-length studio album, “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy.” In a follow up to its first album, “Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1 Friends,” the hip-hop collective continues to honor the legacy of one of its late founders, A$AP Yams.
Not only was the release hyped up by the forefront of the crew on Twitter (Rocky being a rap and fashion icon and Ferg being a king of trap) but also by the singles released prior to the album drop. “Wrong” showcases the dichotomy between Ferg’s deep growl and Rocky’s unique flow. “RAF” is more indicative of the Mob’s overall style, a lyrically shallow, but overall catchy tune with memorable hook.
While the singles are both stellar, the album is extremely inconsistent. There are only two other songs I can discuss positively, while the others either have mediocre production value or are immature skits featuring the character Principal Daryl Choad.
The other noteworthy songs take on a more casual approach with beats that are more relaxed and rhymes that come out more naturally. For example, “Frat Rules” sees Big Sean and A$AP Rocky play lyrical tug of war interspersed by a head-bobbing incantation of “ooo’s.” They finish each other’s rhymes, overlaying headier words like “reproduction” and “repercussion,” showcasing surprisingly sturdy chemistry considering this is their first time on a track together.
“What Happens” is another song in which the artists take up each other’s lines. Your ears have to be on full alert for this 22 verse call-and-response jam session that brings together members of Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies. In what sounds like an impromptu freestyle session, the way the rapping compliments the bassline is sure to satisfy old school hip-hop heads.
The rest of the songs on the album blend together and are quite indistinguishable from one another, save for some negative standouts. This is not to fault the Mob however, as the lower quality verses are from guests, most infamously Lil Yachty. I am generally a fan of Lil Boat’s unique yet simple rhythm, but I could not stomach his nonsensical lyrics in “Bahamas” (“I done count multiple commas/We brought in multiple llamas”). This type of throwaway line illuminates the lack of thought behind the lyrics and diminishes the quality of the overall work.
“Too Cozy” is more of a spectacle than a cohesive and polished product. The rap group reeled in a bunch of big name superstars and fit them into a high school narrative, unfortunately without much continuity. Some of the tracks serve as stand alone songs and have potential to be rap staples, but the album fails to deliver on its intended storyline and the initial hype.