Denzel Curry fans have likely known about this coming for a while, and even if you aren’t a fan, Curry was dropping singles such as Walkin, Zatoichi [Feat. slowthai], and Troubles [Feat. T-Pain] throughout early 2022 before the release of his latest album Melt My Eyez See Your Future, released on March 25, 2022.
This is my favorite album of 2022 so far. With production from artists such as JPEGMAFIA, Thundercat, Dot da Genius, Kenny Beats and more, there is no question regarding the quality of the beats that Denzel Curry raps over for the 45 minute 10 second runtime. There is a song for everybody on this record, ranging from slower, laid-back songs to hard hitting bass and drums. The music is dynamic all the way through the runtime and never leaves you feeling bored or disengaged. Melt My Eyez See Your Future provides each listener a different experience, depending on what they associate his lyrics with based on their stories and feelings about what they have gone through in their own life.
It’s extremely hard to choose because I enjoyed the entire album, but one of my favorite songs is the first track of the album, Melt Session #1 [feat. Robert Glasper]. It’s a slow build up intro that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Soft vocals, synths, and pianos set the tone behind Curry’s lyrics about troubles, temptations, and problems that plague his daily routine. This first track hooks the listener with its infectious and melodic beat to kick off the album, which then transitions into Walkin, where Curry raps about the condition of the world and the corruption of the system built for those in power to exploit those who are just trying to get by. This starts as another mellow track fitted with a boom bap beat before the song switches into a bass heavy version of the previous segment, with Curry spitting a consistent flow and delivering lyrics about moving forward despite the “bullshit” that continues to fly his way.
The album builds up the intensity throughout the course of the runtime. The slower-paced tracks fill the front half of the album, before it reaches a climax with songs like Troubles [Feat. T-Pain], Ain’t No Way [Feat. 6LACK, Rico Nasty, J.I.D, Jasiah, Powers Pleasant, Kitty Ca$h], and Sanjuro [Feat. 454]. The vibe of the album ebbs and flows, providing plenty of variety for listeners sitting down and hearing the album from front-to-back, whether it’s their first time or tenth time. For example, songs such as X-Wing and Angelz [Feat. Karriem Riggins] slow down, providing a nice change in pace from those “hype” songs that are prevalent in the back half of the album.
The final song, The Ills, has all the fixings of a perfect final song to an album that has been so introspective, filled with lyrics about the troubles that Denzel Curry faces in his own life and the problems that everyone may experience just living in the world that we have built. This project has thoroughly impressed me in all aspects, from production to lyrics. This has been years in the making for Curry, and you can tell. Melt My Eyez See Your Future is an introspective masterpiece that may be the Magnum Opus of Denzel Curry’s rap career thus far.
