Destroy Lonely - NO STYLIST ALBUM REVIEW

Summary

In this review, Anthony Fantano critiques Destroy Lonely's album 'No Stylist,' expressing disappointment with the rapper's vocal performance, energy, and songwriting. He compares Destroy Lonely unfavorably to his labelmate Playboi Carti, stating that while Carti's influence is evident, the music lacks excitement and creativity. Fantano finds the album monotonous, with uninspired flows and generic themes, calling it 'mind-numbing drivel.' Despite occasional interesting beats, he ultimately rates the album poorly, highlighting the artist's lack of personality and depth. Fantano concludes that fans of this style may find it appealing, but overall, the album fails to stand out.

Takeaways

• 😀 Destroy Lonely is an Atlanta rapper signed to Playboi Carti's Opium label, and *No Stylist* is his third full-length studio album.
• 😀 Anthony Fantano compares Destroy Lonely's album to Ken Carson's, noting that both albums share similar issues, especially with lackluster vocal delivery and energy.
• 😀 Fantano praises Playboi Carti for successfully creating a unique sound and establishing a label with demand from his fanbase, but he criticizes the music of the artists signed under him, including Destroy Lonely.
• 😀 Destroy Lonely's vocal style is described as monotone and heavily reliant on autotune, which does not add excitement to his music.
• 😀 The album lacks strong energy and charisma, making it fall short of the high-energy, aggressive qualities typically associated with the 'rage' genre.
• 😀 Fantano mentions that while the album may have some appeal to fans of Playboi Carti's style, it struggles to stand out or offer anything new or exciting.
• 😀 The record's lyrics and themes (materialism, sex, drugs, and money) are not inherently problematic, but they lack personality or a unique spin that could make them more engaging.
• 😀 Some tracks incorporate guitar samples, but Fantano criticizes the poor quality of these samples, likening them to being recorded on a potato.
• 😀 Despite some moments of eccentricity or weirdness in Destroy Lonely's performance, Fantano believes these qualities are not enough to make the album entertaining or memorable.
• 😀 Overall, Fantano finds *No Stylist* boring, with little to recommend about the album outside of its association with Playboi Carti's label, giving it a light to decent rating.

Q & A

What is the main critique of Destroy Lonely's album 'No Stylist'?

The main critique is that the album lacks energy, passion, and individuality. Destroy Lonely's heavily autotuned vocals are described as monotonous, and his performance lacks charisma and excitement, making the album feel lifeless and uninspired.

How does Fantano compare Destroy Lonely's music to other artists?

Fantano compares Destroy Lonely unfavorably to artists like Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Yeat. He notes that these artists bring more energy, personality, and unique style to their music, while Destroy Lonely's album feels dull and lacks the same spark.

What is said about the vocal performance on the album?

The vocal performance on 'No Stylist' is heavily autotuned, making Destroy Lonely's voice sound unremarkable and monotonous. Fantano argues that the autotune is used as a crutch, failing to make his vocal timbre sound interesting.

What issues does Fantano have with the album's production?

Fantano criticizes the production, specifically mentioning the guitar loops used on some tracks, which sound poorly recorded. This contributes to the overall lackluster feel of the album.

Does Fantano find any merit in the album's lyrics?

Fantano does not find much merit in the album's lyrics. While the themes of materialism, sex, drugs, and money are common in this genre, he feels the lyrics lack personality, wit, and any memorable qualities.

How does the album's length affect the listening experience?

The album's length of over 50 minutes is considered too long for what Fantano describes as 'mind-numbing drivel.' The repetitiveness of the tracks makes it difficult to maintain interest throughout the album.

What are some examples of tracks or elements that Fantano highlights negatively?

Fantano points out the second track on the album as having one of the worst flows and melodies he's heard in the genre. He also mentions that Destroy Lonely's performance often lacks variation and creativity, resulting in a monotonous experience.

What comparison does Fantano make between Destroy Lonely's music and Lil B?

Fantano compares Destroy Lonely's eccentricities to Lil B's style, noting that while both artists sometimes exhibit wild or sloppy vocal lines, Lil B's work is far more entertaining and engaging compared to Destroy Lonely's lackluster performance.

How does Fantano feel about the album fitting into the 'rage' genre?

Fantano is critical of the album being labeled as 'rage music' or being compared to Playboi Carti's style. He believes there is nothing particularly visceral or exciting about Destroy Lonely’s music, making it hard to justify its placement in the genre.

What overall rating does Fantano give to 'No Stylist'?

Fantano gives the album a 'light to decent one' rating, indicating that while it isn’t completely awful, it fails to impress and lacks the qualities needed to stand out in the genre.