'FATHER OF 4' : Offset - Album Review

On his first solo studio LP, the Atlanta superstar delivers a satisfying compilation of flow-heavy trap anthems. There are times when FATHER OF 4 feels monotonous, but overall, Offset handles his individual opportunity with great prowess - with a lineup of impressive features that compliment his strengths.

7.3/10

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the Migos, the last year has been weird (to say the least).

Each of the supergroups three members decided to release their own full-length - the results of varying widely.

Quavo, the groups resident "frontman", gave us a snooze-fest of an album. Apart from a handful of gems, Quavo Huncho felt shallow and rushed, with no real aim at creativity or individuality.

Takeoff, the groups resident "rapper (lmaooo)", gave us The Last Rocket, an album that I still haven't made my mind up about. I admire that Takeoff made it concise - an airtight collection of 12 songs that stick to the script. This however, is one of the projects downfalls, as The Last Rocket is brutally "vanilla" at times.

Last but not least is the groups resident "jack of all trades", a rapper who has cemented himself as the Atlanta trios most well-rounded member. Accordingly, I went into FATHER OF 4 expecting a diverse lineup of records, as Offset is undoubtedly the Migos most diverse individual.

Much to my dismay, the album's intro track is painfully boring. Sure, the feature from Big Rube is innovative, but it fails to add anything to the project's title song.

Shortly after, however, is "How Did I Get Here", a perfect mixture between the hypnotizing flow of Offset and the mindful delivery of J.Cole. In just over four and a half minutes, the two MCs paint a brief picture of the path they each took to stardom.

*Side note, this record's hook is unavoidably catchy - delivered in a cadence that I don't think I've ever heard before.

Offset's collaboration with Gunna on "Wild Wild West" is solid... but nothing special. In all honesty, Gunna outshines Offset - a statement I never thought I'd see myself making. Both rappers deliver solid verse on a record that will stay in a few of my playlist rotations.

Next is "North Star", a song that stands above every other track on FATHER OF 4. Offset comes through with an extensive verse that exists largely as a testament to Offsets resilience as an artist in a vastly competitive industry. To my surprise, however, the songs shining moment is the feature from Cee Lo Green, who belts out a stadium shaking sequence on the second half of "North Star". Green's vocals float over a synth-heavy instrumental - making for a the album's best record in my eyes.

Another track worth noting is "Don't Lose Me" - Offsets musical apology to Cardi B for his unfaithful ways. The song opens with a snippet from Offset's public apology to his wife, and in an instant, the beat pivots into a three chord overlay - an overlay that Offset uses to beg for atonement from the mother of his youngest daughter.

"Red Room", the albums sole pre-album single, is an absolute bop. On the surface, "Red Room" is catchy, well structured and smooth, but underneath these factors is the songs message. On "Red Room", Offset details the road to recovery he's taken since his near-fatal car crash in May of 2018. Besides "North Star" this is on the verge of being my favorite track off of the project as a whole.

All in all, FATHER OF 4 is a refreshing reminder that at least one of the Migos is capable of compiling an album worth praising. Over the course of 16 tracks, Offset explores the inter-workings of an artists on the cusp of stardom, marital failure and unexpected tragedy.

For that alone, Offset deserves a pat on the back.

Will FATHER OF 4 make my end of the year album rankings? Probably not, but a handful of songs will find their way into my playlists - which, for better or worse, is a win in my book.

That's all I got - go give this album a listen.

*before I go, I want to speak on the album cover. Offset, if you're reading this (you aren't lol), fire whoever made your cover art - it's dog shit.

-Carter Ferryman-

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------