The Only Way to Go Out - No Pressure Review
By Jake Nevarez
The Rat Pack may finally rejoice with the release of Logic’s 6th studio album, No Pressure. The album was released after a very brief Instagram post announcing his retirement from the music industry. This announcement likely came as a surprise to many but Logic’s priorities have clearly shifted. With the birth of his first child, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II chose a commitment to his family over his storied career as an artist.
So let's talk about the album itself. In a nutshell, the album serves its purpose. It was the culmination of his career with a focus on his roots as an artist and as a person. Logic spoke about his personal struggles and his relationship with the music industry but never brought the mood of the album down, in fact, Logic spoke about himself in a very positive light. He has been no stranger to criticism over the years and quite frankly I struggle to understand why. It seems the industry consumers have an ever changing definition of what real music is and how respected lyricists should look or act. Truthfully, as a lyricist, Logic belongs in the conversation as one of the greats but in the same regard it doesn’t matter. No pressure proved to be a point of peace between who he believes he is and who the industry allows him to be. He seems to embrace his anxiety, his relationship to music and his relationship to his opposers given. This album was not meant to please the masses or reach a new audience, No Pressure is simply his passion project, his way.
Logic seems to embrace his anxiety, his relationship to music and his relationship to his opposers given.
(Getty Images | Brian Stokes)
Throughout the tracklist, Logic was lyrically sound, creative and intentional with his flow. Logic has always been a talented artist with a God given talent to match any cadence to any BPM, but he truly turned back the clock and gave the original Rat Pack fans an album to enjoy. At this point you are probably thinking I am a big Logic fan but that is not the case at all. I don’t consider myself to be a part of the Rat Pack by any means, but I understand the message and it is very hard to deny a talented artist.
No Pressure was executive produced by none other than No I.D. and 6ix including Logic, Gravez, 2forwOyNE, FnZ, MTK, Keanu Beats, Toro y Moi, Kajo and Bidaye. The style of beats followed suit to Under Pressure, which also featured No I.D. and 6ix. I was really happy to see Logic bring No I.D. back not only because it was fitting for the duo to start and finish together, but the style that No I.D. brought to this album in collaboration with Logic’s long time producer, 6ix, created a beautifully produced album that really paid tribute to a forgotten style of production. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge proponent of hard 808’s and a flute melody, but all of the associated producers displayed an appreciation for chopped samples, live instruments and jazz inspired melodies. It reminds of a 15 y/o me learning about MPC’s and listening to every “MPC live sample beat” on YouTube. So, on a scale of hot garbage to legendary album, I would say No Pressure falls right around the “solid album” range. Lyrically and musically it is fantastic but there are not many tracks that can compete for chart space dominated by Lil Baby, Drake and Gunna.
Tracks worthy of your playlist:
Soul Food II
Hit My Line
man i is
Jake Nevarez is a culture writer for La Tonique.
