J. Cole: 4 Your Eyez Only Vinyl LP

Cole world! Here is the 4th full-length from J. Cole, and yes, the title is a homage to 2pac's classic, All Eyez On Me, which was also the 4th LP for the late rapper. It began w/ a concept (title track was the basis), with Cole telling the story of a slain friend (pseudonym James McMillan Jr.), from the character's crack-slinging days to his death, which comes after he's settled down and started a family. It's revealed as the album progresses that the songs act as life stories McMillan wants his daughter to hear after his passing. As is the case w/ his previous albums, Cole produced almost the entire album, w/ some help from notable names like Frank Dukes and Boi-ida: warm, soulful, and jazzy, the beats w/ boom bap to trap rhythms fill up the 10 tracker. JC also expands his on-the-mic skills by doing some singing on here, and we're not mad at that at all. Not something to turn up to, obviously, but extremely relatable material here, which is where J. Cole really excels in. Check out "Change," "She's Mine," "Neighbor," "Immortal," and "Deja Vu," the song that's very similar to Bryson Tiller's "Exchange."

• black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Dreamville 2017

reviewed by nakaveli 07/2017