The album title does not represent the pairing of this record collaboration from James Blake and Lil Yachty.
Mannnnnn, James Blake is such an enigma. Maybe unsurprisingly so, given the unique subdued and introspective nature of his music, but as an artist, Blake feels like that elusive high school friend you seldom see but know is out there making waves.
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It’s this unpredictable, genre-hopping versatility that’s seen the 35-year-old multi-instrumentalist cement his reputation in the rap/hip-hop sphere, collaborating with heavyweights like Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé.
On the flip side, Lil Yachty has proven himself as a musician with the adaptability to seamlessly fit the styles of whatever artist he’s collaborating with, whether that be Yungblud, Fred Again or Calvin Harris.
So naturally, Bad Cameo seems like a match made in heaven.
As expected, it’s a seamless blend, with songs like ‘Save The Saviour’ perfectly balancing Blake’s tense, swirling layers of loops alongside Yachty’s deep vocal tenor and fluid cadence, and tracks like ‘Midnight’ blending so holistically that it resembles one singular vocalist, despite their contrasting vocal styles.
In other moments, ‘In Grey’ channels ambient, neo-classical stylings akin to Jon Hopkins’ ethereal take on dance music, while ‘Woo’ transitions into hard-hitting trap beats, bridging Blake’s 2010s indie-dance stylings with Yachty’s contemporary hip-hop.
That being said, as an album, Bad Cameo tends to favour fans of Blake more than Yachty, with its slow-burning, effusive soundscapes likely feeling too minimalistic for Yachty expecting a more traditional rap release.
You can stream the titan teaming of James Blake and Lil Yachty of Bad Cameo here.
Label: Universal Music Group
Release Date: Out Now
