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Desiigner - L.O.D. (Life of Desiigner) (GOOD Music/Def Jam, 2018)

There's something in me that wants to root for Desiigner even though most of the rest of the music world has turned on him. Or maybe it's because everyone is so down on him. I'll be the first to admit his first release, New English, was junk. Maybe rushed to capitalize on the success of "Panda", but either way - it showed that Desiigner was and is a very immature songwriter. But the guy can write hooks - "Panda", "Tiimmy Turner", and the first single off this release, "Priice Tag", bear that out. Maybe that'll be his niche - writing hooks for other, better rappers. No shame in that. L.O.D. is still not a great release (still not a full album yet) but it shows steps in the right direction. Does he still sound like Future? Sure and he probably always will. As mentioned, "Priice Tag" features another bomb hook, but instead of repeating it 20 times for a 4 minute song, here he keeps it trim - just 1:50 in length. Is it revealing that Desiigner couldn't build a better/longer track around the hook? Also yes, but at least now he seems to acknowledge his limitations. Mostly. "After Party" is still mostly repetitive and annoying. "Tonka" is a better example of a more fleshed out, actual track that doesn't grate. The slow, hazy "Destiination" may be his most interesting track yet, and "HOOD" is a similar slow-burner trap-y tune that shows a bit more songwriting strength. Desiigner has a lot of ground to make up but this release shows there's definite progress, if nothing else.

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