The world's best boyband, BROCKHAMPTON, have just dropped their fifth studio album, GINGER. It's a further departure away from the SATURATION trilogy, with the youthful sound of SAT I, SAT II and SAT III replaced by a more mature and refined sound. It also features some standout performances from everyone in the group. Here's each member's best verse on the album.
Kevin Abstract - Dearly Departed
I pray I find you at the bottom of the hill
I pray I make it outta Texas
I pray my A/C come back on
My momma stuck outside her job
My sister just asked for a Lexus
Can Jesus send me a message?
What's the point of havin' a best friend if you end up losin' him?
Woah, don't view my text messages
Woah don't view my text messages
Don't view my bad side
Only go on the 'gram to show you motherfuckers the best side
Who am I?
Who am I? Who am I?
Why I hide? Huh
Fourth-grade Mary J. Blige
All I like I made a mill off a lie
And I lie so I write another lie
RCA don't know words about y'all
No lies, behind me and my brothers been traumatized
And I must keep creating truths and hooks to get outta this hell for myself
Seashells
The shadow of departed member Ameer Vann continues to hang over the band, and Dearly Departed addresses it in the most explicit detail yet. Kevin and Ameer were best friends, but clearly, their relationship has disintegrated since Ameer left BROCKHAMPTON. The band has come a long way from their All-American Trash days, and this verse shows just how much emotional baggage they've had to deal with, and how far they've come in order to cope with their rise in the music industry.
Merlyn Wood - St. Percy
Murder man, murder man
Someone better hold me before this shit gets ugly
Murder man, murder man
Someone better–
Murder man, murder man
Someone better–
Murder man, man
Someone hold me b– shit gets ug–
Murder man, murder man
Someone better hold me before this shit gets ugly
Okay, so it might not be the most lyrical of verses on the album, but it sounds cool. It's a combination of Merlyn's more reserved style at points on this record, as well as the energy that became a staple of his moments on previous records from the band. That's not to say that Merlyn doesn't bring the energy on GINGER, quite the opposite. Rather, however, he adds another string to his bow, much like the band does as a whole on this record by incorporating more extensive features from the likes of Deb Never and slowthai.
Bearface - No Halo
Wash it all on to me to feel the fire (Maybe, I been gone for a minute)
But you know, you know that's a lie (No one help me when my eyes go)
Wash it all on to me to feel the fire (Maybe, I been gone for a minute)
But you know, you know that's a lie (No one help me when my eyes go)
It's no secret that BROCKHAMPTON have scrapped music in the past, with PUPPY, a previously-announced album, never seeing the light of day. Here, Bearface seems to want a return to those times, as well as lamenting the 'flames' of fire. Bearface is used more extensively on this record, rather than being resigned to an outro track like in past BROCKHAMPTON projects, and he's arguably the standout member of GINGER.
bearface snapped
— kevin abstract (@kevinabstract) August 15, 2019
Dom McLennon - Dearly Departed
How many sides to a story can there be when you saw it with your own eyes?
I got all my thoughts out on records y'all won't ever hear
Try to give it time
Find that truth trickles down, hits the fear
And freezes over like a dagger to the spine
When somebody that you know throws you in the fire
How do you survive?
I kicked down the door inside a home
I did it all just to save a friend's life
Little did I know, the one who pulled the strings was once on my side
I had just moved to Texas, tried to make it right
I do not feel obliged to dismiss the truth because of how I feel about our time
If I knew what you would do to someone you owe money to, you wouldn't get a dime
Watchful when you win, sorry 'bout your plans
That was all a scam, you won't understand
Pass the weight off to your friends and never face the truth
Because you never learned how to be a man
And it's not my fault, and it's not my problem anymore
That's just where you stand
That's just who you are
That's your cross to bear
You could talk to God
I don't wanna hear, motherfucker
While there's been references in the past, there's no doubt that this verse lays out exactly what Dom thinks about former member of BROCKHAMPTON, Ameer Vann. Much like Kevin Abstract, Dom doesn't pull any punches with his verse, and nor should he. It's been alleged in the past that Ameer Vann set up a friend of Dom's to be robbed, and this verse seems to confirm it. This gut punch ends with Dom audibly storming away from the mic and slamming the door, bringing to a close this tumultuous chapter of the boy band's history. Much of this album is a catharsis for the band, getting out what's been holding them down, and demonstrating that they're able to rise above it.
Joba - Love Me For Life
Anyways, gotta go, disregard what I say
Grain of salt, sprinkle some over the shoulder (Ayy)
Lucky strike, thoughtless, don't push me, 'kay?
Sensitive, abrasive, stab you in the face
Keep a blade, have a say, just to raise the stakes
Dracula, in a cave, I've been lonely man
Grabbed a stake, have a cape, it don't work no more
Fly away, different ways, hit the liquor store
Better days follow me like the saddest song
Grab a case, hide away, fill my loads with bleach
Couple stains, and again, they both hauntin' me
Lot to say, people hate, wearin' blindfolds
Where did I go?
Where do we go?
How do we grow?
How should I know?
Feel responsible, intolerable, displaced, insane
Joba's contributions across the album might be the most introspective. Love Me For Life is one of the record's darker songs, talking about the various members' struggles in their personal lives, and Joba's verse is no different. Joba's oft-been one of the more vivid members of the band when it comes to his lyrics, discussing his struggles with mental health, and this verse further documents his struggles. While the cape metaphor has appeared in the past, here it sounds like it's trying to protect him from the evils that haunt him.
Matt Champion - Boy Bye
My shit bump like a belly when it's pregnant (Mhm)
Bona fide big bird lookin' like a Yeti (Mhm)
Swift feet cheetah, that's a real big kitty
Made y'all judges, that's a real ass feeling
I don't like the style, won't forget it, man, I did it (Yeah)
Always got the shit, like a constipated reverend (Alright)
Y'all like to shit talk, no pun, all fun
But I make your bitch crack a giggle with the next one (Oh)
Goofy ass boy, look like Elmer Fudd cousin (Jeez)
Heavy ass feet, man, people heard you comin' (Shit)
Actin' like Regina, you a lil' bit dramatic (George)
I've been in the cockpit, I been in the cabin (Right)
Take the eagle out just to ride around the planet (Right)
Did a lot of curving, man, I don't take damage
Oh, so hot, so, sst, get branded
I'm just havin' fun, cops hit me, goddamn it (Oh, yeah)
This is maybe Matt's best-ever verse, purely for the Mean Girls reference. Keep trying to make Mean Girls references happen. After all, not all of the album has to be sombre, and nor is it. BROCKHAMPTON find arguably their best balance between the band they were, and the band they are, and it feels like a coming-of-age moment for all involved. BROCKHAMPTON have grown up right in front of everyone's eyes, and GINGER confirms it.
