Review - Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks
Broke With Expensive Taste

I would struggle to tell you what most of the songs on this album are about - I was so caught up in the music I missed most of the lyrics. That very rarely happens to me. In fact, I can't think of another album this year that's had that effect on me. Then again, this was bound to be something special - anyone who heard "212" (ie. everyone) already knew Banks had serious talent. What noone could have predicted was just how good it would be.  This album is a perfect storm; it takes a rapper who would sound great over any backing track and pairs her with backing tracks that would sound great regardless of who did the vocals. The result, as you can imagine, is a hell of a record. It's full of those moments that make you pause the track and stare at the computer screen, thinking, How the fuck did she do that? Hell, there are about three of those moments on "212" alone.

The best word I can think of to describe this album is "euphoric". It's just...fun. I can honestly say that this was one of the most enjoyable albums I've heard all year. It's fast, energetic, with Banks' lyrics piled up on each other against frenetically upbeat music - basically, you should buy this.

9/10