It’s been 4 months & Detroit veteran Boldy James has lastly returned to make his Roc Nation Records debut within the type of his seventeenth LP. Breaking out within the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), the Detroit lyricist would later go on to land a contract with Nas’ impartial label Mass Appeal Records for a short while earlier than getting locked up. Once coming house, Uncle Al would assist get his title again on the market as soon as getting out by dropping the Boldface EP round Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. This was adopted up with the Sterling Toles-produced Manger on McNichols which was as equally improbable, however the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson although would turn out to be his most critically acclaimed work so far & Super Tecmo Bo was virtually as nice for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. Ten-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight had been all welcomed to heat reception moreover. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was a lot better than each Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, the Antt Beatz produced Hommage left individuals divided though I didn’t thoughts it, coming off the coming off the V Don-produced Alphabet Highway & the Killing Nothing sequel Conversational Pieces respectively by displaying up Late to His Own Funeral. Signing to Roc Nation not too way back, he & Craven have determined to run it again with Criminally Attached.
“Walnut Grove” comes out the gate with a vocal pattern speaking about making a living for a very long time placing it on his grandmother Mary Lou whereas “No Blemishes soulfully explains that a membership of the gang he’s in cannot be simply claimed.“Infrared.com” talks about nonetheless being within the ghetto with all of his Zs getting calls that shouldn’t be answered on speaker simply earlier than “Fully Smack” runs up a test rapidly to the purpose the place he doesn’t have to attend in a line.
David Hill & 50 Gwuap Taj be part of Boldy on the soulful “Trifecta” speaking about the way in which they see themselves livin’ main into “Thumb of Craven” beginning the 2nd half persevering with the drumless chipmunk soul vibes telling the heavyweights throw up towards to stroll slightly lighter. “Mr. Quaker Oats” that includes Poppy Bricks embraces a jazzier vibe speaking about being extra Richie than Lionel whereas “Thread the Needle” suggests you understand he got here from the bands the way in which he marches in.
“2 Left Feet” begins Criminally Attached final a number of minutes speaking about not lacking a single beat when he’s hustling within the streets over a chipmunk soul instrumental & lastly, “1st Time Around” ends with a vocal jazz flip admitting that he isn’t referring to clean disc when he mentions CDs & advising that one shouldn’t get to acquainted with the 227 Concreatures due to all of the extreme gang shit that stays surrounding them.
Hard to say whether or not or not we’ll nonetheless get The Pop Catcher both subsequent month or in 2026 however both method, Boldy James’ official Roc Nation Records debut & his 4th album to be fully produced by one among my private favourite producers of this ongoing decade joins Late to My Own Funeral alongside Token of Appreciation & Alphabet Highwayfor the strongest out of the handful of albums the Motor City’s best has needed to provide in 2025. Gearing up for a Super Tecmo Bowl follow-up subsequent yr additionally, Nicholas Craven’s drumlessly soulful manufacturing is unparalleled in comparison with it’s predecessor 4 months earlier & the identical will be stated relating to the gangsta-themed lyrics.
Score: 9/10