Ken Carson - A Great Chaos ALBUM REVIEW

Summary

In this review, Anthony Fantano critiques Ken Carson's third album *A Great Chaos*. He acknowledges improvements over his previous work, noting more coherent flows and interesting beats. However, he criticizes the album for being derivative of the rage music scene, with excessive distortion and a lack of originality. Tracks feel overly familiar, and while some moments show potential, the overall substance falls short. Despite minor improvements, Fantano rates the album a 3/10, suggesting that while it’s not terrible, it doesn't offer enough to stand out in the genre.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ken Carson's album *A Great Chaos* is his third full-length LP, released under Playboy Carti's Opium label.
• 😀 Fantano previously reviewed Ken Carson's 2022 album *X*, which he found unimpressive due to sloppy production and lack of originality.
• 😀 The album draws clear influence from artists like Travis Scott, Future, and Playboy Carti, but lacks significant innovation.
• 😀 Some fans believed Ken Carson's music was groundbreaking, but Fantano argues it's simply a continuation of existing trends in trap music.
• 😀 The production on *A Great Chaos* is slightly improved compared to Carson's last work, with more interesting beats and quirky synths.
• 😀 Tracks like *Singapore* and *I'm Not Sure What The Hell Is Going On With Me* feature outlandish production choices, including bizarre synth sounds.
• 😀 Ken Carson's vocal flows have improved, with more coherent delivery compared to his previous work, though some tracks still feature rambling lyrics.
• 😀 Carson attempts more structured choruses on this album, although some of them, like *Hardcore*, are unsuccessful and annoying.
• 😀 The album features a collaboration with Lil Uzi Vert on *Like This*, though Fantano notes that Uzi's contribution was underwhelming.
• 😀 Despite some positive elements, many tracks are still excessively distorted, which detracts from the listening experience, such as on *Succubus* and *Lose It*.
• 😀 While *A Great Chaos* is an improvement over Carson's previous album, it still suffers from a lack of variation, uninspired performances, and subpar mixing.
• 😀 Fantano rates the album a 'decent 3,' stating that Ken Carson’s music needs more substance and better songwriting to stand out in the trap scene.

Q & A

What is the overall tone of the review for Ken Carson's album 'A Great Chaos'?

The overall tone of the review is critical, with the reviewer expressing dissatisfaction with Ken Carson's style, production, and originality. While some improvement is acknowledged, the reviewer finds the album to be basic and lacking in substance compared to other artists in the genre.

What did the reviewer think about Ken Carson's previous album, 'X'?

The reviewer found 'X' unimpressive, criticizing the production for being sloppy and overly compressed, which led to a crackling sound in both vocals and beats. The album was also seen as lacking a distinctive style or voice.

Did the reviewer think that Ken Carson was offering something new with 'A Great Chaos'?

No, the reviewer disagreed with fans who considered Carson's music groundbreaking. They felt that his work was a continuation of the same trippy trap style seen from other artists like Travis Scott, Future, and Playboi Carti, with only minimal surface-level differences.

What are some of the positive aspects of the album according to the reviewer?

The reviewer mentions that the beats on 'A Great Chaos' are more interesting and outlandish compared to Carson's previous work, with standout tracks like 'Singapore' and 'My Cup.' Additionally, the flows are more coherent, and the attempt at creating catchy choruses is noted as a positive aspect.

What did the reviewer think about the song 'Nightcore'?

The reviewer describes 'Nightcore' as featuring a random and awkward lyrical introduction, including the line 'these dudes constipated,' which they found off-putting. The song also features an attempt at a love song that the reviewer considered pitiful.

How does the reviewer feel about the level of distortion in some tracks on the album?

The reviewer criticizes the heavy distortion on certain tracks like 'Succubus' and 'Lose It,' stating that it doesn't add anything to the music. They felt that the distortion is unnecessary and does not contribute to creating a harsher, darker atmosphere.

What was the reviewer's opinion on the song 'Paranoid' featuring Destroy Lonely?

The reviewer found the track 'Paranoid' featuring Destroy Lonely to be average and non-descript. Despite being one of the cleanest-sounding cuts on the album, it failed to stand out in a meaningful way, according to the reviewer.

What critique does the reviewer give about the track 'Vampire Hours'?

The reviewer describes 'Vampire Hours' as failing to capture the 'vampire energy' suggested by the title. The track's use of high hats and fruity synthesizer loops is seen as unmemorable and lacking in intensity.

What does the reviewer think about the length of some tracks on 'A Great Chaos'?

The reviewer points out that some tracks are so short they might as well not exist, implying that these tracks do not add much value to the overall album experience.

How does the reviewer summarize the album's overall impact?

The reviewer concludes that while 'A Great Chaos' is a slight improvement over Ken Carson's previous album, it still lacks variation and substance. The reviewer feels that Ken Carson has not done enough to move away from basic trap sounds or deliver more compelling performances and songwriting.