Don't Look Down

First published online at Jawbreaker Zine, September 2019

A Found Album Review of Chance the Rapper’s The Big Day

When a mate at the campsite cracks another can and asks me over the beer pong table who my favorite artist is, I don’t even flinch. “Chance,” I say through a tipsy grin.

“On this year’s line-up you mean?” Another probes, sipping their beer.

“Nah, Chance is my favorite artist ever.” I down another swig and know it’s not just the whiskey talking. Others spew out the names of their favorite bands and musicians. Mostly dead or retired,  no longer touring and definitely not releasing new music.

But I don’t revise my answer.

This sounds like I made it in 6th grade on my school ipad on garage band

The disc is clear because there's nothing of quality on the album

Did the engineer leave the melody on bypass?

I’ve been a massive fan of Chance’s early discography since 2015 when a friend I was living with in India exposed me to “Cocoa Butter Kisses” from his second mixtape, Acid Rap.

When Chance recently released his first two projects, 10 Day and Acid Rap, on all streaming services, I made an occasion out of re-listening to them both on repeat. “Hey Ma”, “Favorite Song”, “Family”, “Brain Cells”, and the like were on at my partner’s apartment all night.

And when Chance was initially announced as the Sunday headliner for our national music festival Splendour in the Grass earlier this year, I was beyond ecstatic. I couldn’t believe my luck that I would finally be seeing my favourite artist live and in concert. So, when he pulled out with just 24 hours’ notice, I was gutted. 

i wonder why i always get a church vibe when I listen to this guy LOL

This sound like the back room of a church

I'm convinced Chance joined a cult of Christians and was forced to make this album

We were sitting on top of the hill overlooking the amphitheatre main stage when we heard the news trickle through our social feeds. My girlfriend turned to me. It hit me straight in the chest. 

Just a day out from hearing my favorite rapper headline and he dropped out due to unknown “illness”. Chance still hasn’t made a public announcement or apology regarding this incident.

I love Jesus God and My Wife

Don't let this distract from the fact that chance loves his wife

My favorite part of this new chance album is he's married

My consolation prize came a week later with the much anticipated release of Chance’s debut studio album, The Big Day. I had been eagerly awaiting this new record for months.

I blasted it on the release date and every day after, streaming the track list over and over again. With none of his recent 2018 singles included, this was a total flex of Chance’s “new shit”.

This reminds me of Ryan Higa making parody rap songs

i guess we stealing rhymes from veggie tales in 2019

Your stanky leg privileges. Hand 'em over.

First off, I’ll admit the skits weren’t by any means impressive. They lacked the soul and vibrant, heartfelt energy of Chance’s voice message introduction on “Good Ass Outro” from Acid Rap or the even earlier spoken word opening mix of “Nostalgia” from 10 Day.

The experiment with spoken word here just didn’t land like it always seemed to do on previous projects. The conversations between characters felt unfocused, scattered, and confusing. There was no direction with where they were going or what they were putting across. These three skits were easily skippable and detracted from the actual songs on the record.

My god he sounds like he's dead on the inside when he sings.

Are you being terrible on purpose or are you so surrounded by mindless yes men now that you actually think this is good

Here before TikTok steals it remember me

But I admired how Chance was not afraid to experiment with some gospel-themed lyrics and styles layered over some hard synths on “Town on the Hill,” a welcome advance on the themes of Coloring Book. It feels nostalgic and smooth, signalling a nice call-back to “Same Drugs” in one stroke. It’s a relief to know the soul is still there. 

“We Go High” and “Sun Come Down” are two other standout tracks that really hit home for me. Chance highlights his skills as an appropriation artist through his thematic reworking of a quote from Michelle Obama and visuals from the opening scene of the original The Lion King.

Bro, you just posted cringe. You're going to lose subscriber!

oh god this beat is painfully generic

At least a label won't take a hit from this release

The strongest features on this album come from Nicki, with her verses on “Slide Around” and on the closing track “Zanies and Fools,” the latter wrapping up the album with a chilling choir chorus and an infectious tribal trap beat. Other satisfying features come from John Legend and Death Cab for Cutie on “All Day Long” and “Do you Remember” respectively.

Do I maybe wish Chance had delivered that final verse on his closing track and used that as a personal statement? Yes, but I think reprising the final song with the chorus “it’s possible to me” says something for the giddy optimism, feel-good positivity and soulful brilliance of the record.

Yeah let's just forget his album came out

I miss the 2014 chance man

Can you release acid rap again?

It’s honestly so refreshing to have a new mainstream rapper writing about his loving, monogamous relationship with his wife. It differs starkly from the regular hot topics and trends.

The core material may feel a little stretched thin at times and I think this is where a lot of the criticism has been leveled at Chance.

The general public isn’t used to hearing these sincere, romantic themes from a popular rapper so  they have naturally targeted him online. While some criticism is valid, much of it is misguided.

I sat through two and a half minutes of this song and it felt like twenty

The sound of the guys installing solar panels on my roof while my dog barks at them is more catchy than this song

Comment filtering :/ only positive eh..strategic

I read about how Chance has recently tweeted “feeling that people want me to kill myself.” I really feel for the guy. The internet has been dog-piling on Chance and this new album, particularly making memes out of his vocal love and loyalty to his wife, Kirsten. 

I can only imagine the immense pressure that comes with three hugely successful mixtapes and a long-anticipated first studio album release. And when there are such mixed reviews, many brutal, scathing and spiteful, I understand where the worries and anxiety come from.

Chance with that Tourette's guy flow

It was so good until he started acting like one of the sped kids who got out

Not even little kids would like this one

I still listen to “The Big Day” on the daily. There are the odd songs like “Hot Shower” or even the title track that feel flatter than the surrounding body of work, but they’re not common.

For the most part, Chance’s collaging of styles, lyrics and sounds come together and work cohesively as a debut studio album. I play my favourite tracks in the car with my girlfriend and we nod our heads to the beat, the spasming lyrics, the vibrant expression of soul. 

I try to forget Chance bailed on us.

was this album just a joke

Is this satire or parody?

Chance sounds like he just took a beating

Comments taken from YouTube videos. Art courtesy of @salem7.co