Oddball rapper Danny Brown has returned after three years with his new album Atrocity Exhibition. Past projects from the Detroit native have contained some of the most interesting production and delivery in recent memory, and Atrocity Exhibition is no exception.
Insanely unique production on every song lets this album explore sounds and flows that few rappers would ever try. The lyrics in the songs make us think about Danny’s struggle with his past, drugs, success and legacy, but the production flips back and forth between dark and light moods. Atrocity Exhibition includes Danny rapping over dark, slow synthetic beats that match the content of the lyrics at the beginning. It soon turns into upbeat instrumentals that show how Danny is satisfied with the struggles and misery he raps about on each track.
The first line of the album, “I’m sweating like I’m in a rave. Been in this room for three days. Think I’m hearing voices. Paranoid and think I’m seein' ghost-es,” paints a vivid picture of Danny’s drug-fueled secluded life and the troubles that go with it. Perhaps his best opening track to date, the production on “Downward Spiral” is the perfect mix of gloomy synths and snapping drums. Isolation and drugs are how he deals with his self-doubts. The only time he calls anyone is when he “tell a dealer ‘drop it off.’” Self-destruction forces Danny to put everything he has left into his music to find a way out of his downward spiral.
Tracks two and three, “Tell Me What I Don’t Know” and “Rolling Stone” acknowledge his past and present issues with his habits. He knows that he made mistakes in his past. He knows his isolation is bad for him. And he knows the drugs could kill him. And as the end of “Rolling Stone” approaches, it’s as if Danny has an epiphany—this life is the only one he knows, so he might as well make the most of it.
This epiphany brings new life and energy to Danny. With some help from his friends Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar and Earl Sweatshirt, they are the only rap features on the entire album. The certified banger celebrates all of the extravagance in the rappers’ lives. Braggadocios and materialistic, “Really Doe” is a “screw you” to anyone who thinks they can rival any of these rappers. The four talented lyricists throw in some crazy rhyme patterns and wordplay to their verses.
Danny opens the track bragging about how he made it out of the streets dealing drugs to now selling out all of his shows,
“I be fresh from head to toe, every day a fashion show.
Used to tote that Calico and serve like John McEnroe.
Now I sell out all my shows. Used to sell out all my blow.”
Danny’s verse serves as a good intro to the song, but only sets the tone for phenomenal verses from the other three artists. Earl Sweatshirt’s verse stands out with his delivery, somehow managing to end each line with a slant rhyme based on the word clutch with double entendres sprinkled throughout the verse.
The fifth track, “Lost,” gives us a Danny falling deeper into his drug habits. The beat’s main feature is a haunting loop of a woman humming that plays throughout the whole song. “Lost” is a spooky song that, when juxtaposed with the next track, makes the transition even more impactful.
Distorted horns on “Ain’t It Funny” burst into your ears right after “Lost” abruptly stops. Danny delivers a highly sarcastic verse about his struggles using one of his fastest flows on the album. Danny has dealt with some ridiculous challenges in his life and he tells those stories very sarcastically, saying that because so much has happened, he’s used to it and finds it amusing that he continues to encounter difficult times. The instrumental is loud and shocking, but could easily be the theme song for a drug-dealing-rapper cartoon.
Tracks seven and eight, “Golddust” and “White Lines” show the dueling sides of cocaine use. “Golddust” is upbeat; it's a party song, almost happy. Meanwhile, “White Lines” is the exact opposite; it’s dark and frightening. One minute you’re enjoying the atmosphere, the next you feel like dying.
“Pneumonia” is one of the more traditional songs on the album. Featuring ad-libs from ScHoolboy Q, Danny flows over a beat that combines echoing synths and varied percussion instruments. When the heavy drums kick in, the song becomes the most conventional instrumental on the beat, but remains mysterious, making you wonder about all of Danny’s experiences he raps about.
Hands-down the most outlandish production comes from “Dance in the Water.” Featuring a tribe-like chant in the background of the entire song, Danny recites several lines back to back followed by a punch line. As he continues to repeat himself, the beat loops making strange rattling sounds and the slight sound of a cowbell come to the front. This is the one song on the album that could potentially get people going in the club. It’s extremely upbeat and easy to dance to. Even better, it’s all about doing things and not having to deal with the consequences.
A subdued Danny Brown makes an appearance for the second time on the album with the song “From the Ground.” Ditching his classic high-pitched voice, Danny slows his rhymes down and reflects on where he came from. When he was younger, he sold drugs to survive, but his dream was to be a rapper. The story of his hard work to make it out of his bad neighborhood is told over production that features light guitar riffs mashed together with synths and chimes.
Disturbing moments can be found throughout the album, but nothing is as terrifying as “When It Rain.” Normally, if a song begins with a simple beat and continues to build, the song would culminate in some sort of beat drop or satisfying conclusion. But, this song keeps building and building, never satisfying your craving for a true conclusion. Electronic high-pitched synths pop in and out as rattles and shakes are continuously added. Heavy drums make the song more eerie. Danny’s flow over the beat is one of the best on the album and he doesn’t hold back at all when he delivers punchline after punchline. The song is a frantic mash-up of sounds that make you feel more and more anxious every second.
Following the anxiety-inducing “When It Rain” is the song “Today.” Once again, Danny focuses on the inevitability and uncertainty of death. He has reached a point in his life where he isn’t concerned with consequences any more. He’s living in the moment and working for everything he’s ever wanted because he knows he might not have the chance to live out all of his dreams.
Danny revisits his troubles in “Get Hi.” The message of the song is simple,
“Problems of today, smoke it to the face.
It’s only for a moment, but the troubles go away.”
Up to this point Danny has told us everything he’s dealt with. To him, the only solution, regardless of how temporary it may be, is to get high. It doesn’t matter how much he’s dealing with. If he gets high, everything will be okay.
“Hell for It” closes the album on a triumphant note. Combining the stories found throughout the album, Danny readdresses how hard he worked to keep himself alive when the odds were against him. He’s dealt with demons and addiction, but his ambition and creativity allowed him to rise to new levels as a rapper. Everyone who’s doubted him has been proven wrong. He’s proud of what he’s done and believes that his legacy will leave a huge impact, “These songs that I write leave behind my legacy, and I’ma give 'em hell for it.”
This album is definitely not for the faint of heart or casual listener of hip-hop. Danny comes through with jarring lyrics, but the combination of his witty wordplay and funny punchlines rapped over his most unique and shocking production yet, makes Atrocity Exhibition his best project to date.
Grade: A
