‘Neighbours’ is a wonderful representation of the racism that is ravaging the world as Cole recounts what happens when you become a victim of the discriminatory beliefs and racist ideals his neighbours had.
What was supposed to be a haven and a safe space to create music and be inspired quickly became poisoned by the influence and patriots of white suburbia. It tells the story of J Cole renting out a home for his Dreamville producers, artists. The most striking song (and my favourite off the album) is ‘Neighbours’. It is because all the lyrics are beautifully poignant, paint lovely imagery in your mind, so real you start to see it come alive (remember how visceral wet dreams was?) and second, I can’t take music advice from people who think Macklemore is a work of art. Was that an attempt of me trying to dissect this album on a macro level? Who knows? What I do know is a few of my friends have come out the woodwork as newly coined Cole haters by saying all of J-Cole’s music “sounds the same” and “is not original” to which I say, first… no two J-Cole songs sound the same, it resembles the snowflake effect or that of eyebrows, you will never have the same Cole song.
It is also easy to be confused and not appreciate the full power of ‘4 Your Eyez Only” when the interconnection between fake trap- actual trap and plagiarization of this Cole-esqe type of aesthetic is all you are familiar with. The nature of his storytelling transcends traditional norms of the rap music that exists these days- with the rise of the Lil Yachtys, the Macklemores, the Madeintyo’s, it is easy to be dazed by the appeal of trash music and not be able to recognize heartfelt sound when it drops and hits you in the face. What I loved about this album is how you can just close your eyes and be transported to wherever he is. This narrative consisted of a 10 track story told through the perspective of Cole himself and that of his friend (possibly- James McMillan).
A farewell to familiar themes, ideals, beliefs, experiences. This is a direction that was quite interesting to experience through our eyes and through Cole’s eyes as well.Īt first, I was expecting a powerful classic, one that mirrored the same intensity and power as ‘Born Sinner’ or ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’, I ended up listening and being exposed to a sad and climactic goodbye. It feels like a good-bye letter, a joint effort cultivated through the experiences of his fallen friend (James McMillan) and the experiences that he wishes us to know about. While these are ideals that he has touched on in the past, this album feels different. Personally, I feel like this album is quite different- a visceral and emotionally charged account on themes of mass incarceration, racism, love, marriage, growing up, mortalities as a black man and the perils of fatherhood. This by far is NOT a traditional music review- I am just a mere mortal who has immersed herself into the cold world of J Cole. The fire that is emanating from my speakers is quite distracting (oh god Halima that was so corny, this is why you don’t write any reviews!).
Instead of studying for my exams, I am sitting here listening to J Cole’s latest album ‘4 Your Eyez Only’.