Playboi Carti's brand of post-verbal bangers are less about what you hear and more about what you feel as you're listening. If you can reconcile that, you might enjoy his surprise studio debut, Die Lit. It's less of an album and more a collection of moods ranging from triumphantly lit ("Long Time") to chill, but still lit ("Lean 4 Real" featuring Tottenham titan Skepta). "Mileage" is a super fun nod to sexual agency, and Carti proves that "lit" and "mournful" are not mutually exclusive on his tribute "R.I.P. Fredo (Notice Me)."
Naturally, production drives much of this project and Pi'erre Bourne, who handled most of it, shines especially on the bright and bouncy "Poke It Out," "Home," and "Choppa Won't Miss" (guest starring Young Thug). Don Cannon shows versatility on the crisp and icy "No Time" and other standout beats include "Shoota" and the delightfully rousing "Pull Up."
Thanks to the lack of coherence or variety though, nothing on Die Lit really sticks. It's fun enough but, save for a few keepers, has the lifespan of a mayfly. Rock to it for the summer and forget most of it by September.
(AWGE / Interscope)Naturally, production drives much of this project and Pi'erre Bourne, who handled most of it, shines especially on the bright and bouncy "Poke It Out," "Home," and "Choppa Won't Miss" (guest starring Young Thug). Don Cannon shows versatility on the crisp and icy "No Time" and other standout beats include "Shoota" and the delightfully rousing "Pull Up."
Thanks to the lack of coherence or variety though, nothing on Die Lit really sticks. It's fun enough but, save for a few keepers, has the lifespan of a mayfly. Rock to it for the summer and forget most of it by September.