Jack Harlow — Jackman. — Album Review
Hip-Hop | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Jack Harlow has been one of those up-and-comers that I had wanted to get into. However, that prospect ended up being easier said than done. I felt that this was kind of evident in my review for the Louisville rapper’s sophomore album Come Home the Kids Miss You, an album that I went into with the relatively high expectations set by some of the tracks found on Harlow’s debut album, That’s What They All Say, only to be met with a disappointingly hollow album second project through and through.
The main issue that lies within that 2022 album, both in terms of production and lyrical delivery, was just that there was a highly noticeable lack of personality. Jack Harlow stuck out sorely as an industry plant type figure, and pasted onto an album that was clearly trying far too hard to be accessible, it resulted in an album that honestly could’ve come from most rap artists with very little effort.
The way I ultimately felt towards Come Home the Kids Miss You definitely influenced my initial thoughts towards Jack Harlow’s third album, which has arrived to us one year later, and not for the better. In fact, I honestly think I wouldn’t have given Jackman. a proper listen, if not for the fact that there seemed to be a pretty abundant amount of praise surrounding the project. That being said, especially as a music reviewer, I felt obligated to find out what the hype was about.
And it’s certainly safe to say, all the positive criticism towards Jackman. is…actually quite justified. As I went into this album for the first time, it was a pleasant surprise to find that Jack Harlow had done a full 180 in regards to the way that he engages with his audience on this project. Rather than ringing empty with a shallow narrative focus on living the high life, Jack Harlow instead hits us with what is easily his most grounded album to date.
And to compliment that even further, the production is remarkably more enjoyable this time as well. To better compliment Jack Harlow’s more human narrative focus, there are soulful beats aplenty to be found on here, giving Jackman. a far stronger sense of aesthetic impact. Fair to say, it certainly makes for a nice change of pace in comparison to that tacky sampling of Fergie’s “Glamorous” on “First Class”.
The contrast between how unengaging the likes of Come Home the Kids Miss You and how engaging Jackman. is is honestly astounding. It almost feels in certain points in the album that Jack Harlow is even aware of this himself, and if so, this is truly the best next step that his discography could’ve gone in.
I am honestly really impressed with how enjoyable and raw this album is, and I certainly hope that Jack Harlow keeps striving for this kind of style. I feel as if we are starting to see who Jack Harlow is, and what he is truly capable of, in this brilliant project.
Favourite Tracks: Ambitious | Gang Gang Gang | Denver | It Can’t Be
Least Favourite Track: No Enhancers
Generation Now | Atlantic Records
