FEVER review - It's getting hot in here
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Fever is the 2019 debut trap rap album by Houston-based Megan Thee Stallion. In late November of 2018, she became the first female rapper under the label which released Fever, 300 Entertainment (who are best known for Young Thug). It was released to solid critical reception and commercial success, debuting at #10 on the Billboard 200. I was introduced to Fever through theneedledrop's review of it, where he sold it to me. I'll be upfront about this--I am no avid listener of trap music whatsoever. I mostly listen to synth, chiptune, or rock music (though I have enjoyed Three Six Mafia and Run DMC before), so if you're looking for some expert opinion then you can safely turn away now. But if you want to read someone gushing about their first dive into this genre, then read away.
There is a certain expectation of female rappers that they'll be tamer than their male counterparts, but evidently no one told Megan of this because she goes hard. Yeah, I have no real of reference to compare, but I don't think Thugger has songs where he describes how he'll rub his pussy on some guy's head to fuck with him. Which brings me to one of this album's strengths: there are some fucking hilarious and badass lines in this. Song after song, Megan shreds through just about every single one. Highlights include "Bad You Ever Had," "Realer," "Money Good," and "W.A.B." (Weak Azz Bitch), which are all high energy bangers that never stop being fun as hell. There are a few slight clunkers among the bunch ("Ratchet" and "Dance" spring out in particular), but none of them is so repulsive I felt the urge to never listen to them again or anything. They just don't have that infectious vibe and groove of something like BYEH, which keeps it from feeling obnoxious after multiple plays. There are a few features (from Juicy J and DaBaby) worth noting. They do their parts well, though being a normie coming into this, I didn't have such a huge impression from either beyond the visceral listening experience. Kudos to the album art (can't find a credit for the artist online), which hearkens back to the saucy, groovy Blaxploitation films that have inspired the album and is just a great visual.
Trap music has a fairly negative reputation among a lot of people who haven't listened to it much but just hear the beats and write trap off as bottom barrel trash. But as a lover of rock and synth, the beats in this album frequently hit on the same pleasure centers as the best songs in those genres as I got into the vibe of it all. There are some parts in this album where everything just clicks--where there's this excellent beat, powerful/fun performance from Megan, and fantastic writing--and it'll just make me grin at how incredible it is.
Fever is a great, great album (or mix tape, if you prefer). When everything's chugging along, you get some impressive bangers from a talent who oozes this contagious personality and sass. And when it isn't so much, it's not terrible. Though those weak links do drag things down a little, even if I do think this is mandatory listening for anyone who's interested in it. I will be watching Megan Thee Stallion in future to see where she goes from this cracking debut. Fever gets an 8.5/10.
Great
Summary:
A perfect entry point to trap--if you're not the sort of toolbag who'd call the artist a whore for singing songs about having sex. Brimming with verve, guts, and power, Fever kicks ass.
Fever is the 2019 debut trap rap album by Houston-based Megan Thee Stallion. In late November of 2018, she became the first female rapper under the label which released Fever, 300 Entertainment (who are best known for Young Thug). It was released to solid critical reception and commercial success, debuting at #10 on the Billboard 200. I was introduced to Fever through theneedledrop's review of it, where he sold it to me. I'll be upfront about this--I am no avid listener of trap music whatsoever. I mostly listen to synth, chiptune, or rock music (though I have enjoyed Three Six Mafia and Run DMC before), so if you're looking for some expert opinion then you can safely turn away now. But if you want to read someone gushing about their first dive into this genre, then read away.
There is a certain expectation of female rappers that they'll be tamer than their male counterparts, but evidently no one told Megan of this because she goes hard. Yeah, I have no real of reference to compare, but I don't think Thugger has songs where he describes how he'll rub his pussy on some guy's head to fuck with him. Which brings me to one of this album's strengths: there are some fucking hilarious and badass lines in this. Song after song, Megan shreds through just about every single one. Highlights include "Bad You Ever Had," "Realer," "Money Good," and "W.A.B." (Weak Azz Bitch), which are all high energy bangers that never stop being fun as hell. There are a few slight clunkers among the bunch ("Ratchet" and "Dance" spring out in particular), but none of them is so repulsive I felt the urge to never listen to them again or anything. They just don't have that infectious vibe and groove of something like BYEH, which keeps it from feeling obnoxious after multiple plays. There are a few features (from Juicy J and DaBaby) worth noting. They do their parts well, though being a normie coming into this, I didn't have such a huge impression from either beyond the visceral listening experience. Kudos to the album art (can't find a credit for the artist online), which hearkens back to the saucy, groovy Blaxploitation films that have inspired the album and is just a great visual.
Trap music has a fairly negative reputation among a lot of people who haven't listened to it much but just hear the beats and write trap off as bottom barrel trash. But as a lover of rock and synth, the beats in this album frequently hit on the same pleasure centers as the best songs in those genres as I got into the vibe of it all. There are some parts in this album where everything just clicks--where there's this excellent beat, powerful/fun performance from Megan, and fantastic writing--and it'll just make me grin at how incredible it is.
Fever is a great, great album (or mix tape, if you prefer). When everything's chugging along, you get some impressive bangers from a talent who oozes this contagious personality and sass. And when it isn't so much, it's not terrible. Though those weak links do drag things down a little, even if I do think this is mandatory listening for anyone who's interested in it. I will be watching Megan Thee Stallion in future to see where she goes from this cracking debut. Fever gets an 8.5/10.
Great
Summary:
A perfect entry point to trap--if you're not the sort of toolbag who'd call the artist a whore for singing songs about having sex. Brimming with verve, guts, and power, Fever kicks ass.
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