{"id":59,"date":"2022-07-29T17:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T17:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/?p=59"},"modified":"2022-08-29T17:05:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T17:05:17","slug":"brent-faiyaz-wasteland-album-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/2022\/07\/29\/brent-faiyaz-wasteland-album-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Brent Faiyaz &#8220;Wasteland&#8221; Album Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An album that delivers on Faiyaz\u2019s trademark soothingly dark production and unique vocals but disappoints with a dull theme and lack of variety.<\/h4>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f:not(.this-stops-third-party-issues){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list:not(.this-prevents-issues):not(.this-stops-third-party-issues):not(.tijsloc){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list{grid-row-gap:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap .kt-svg-icon-list-single{margin-right:10px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-0 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-1 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-2 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-3 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-4 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-5 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-iconlist kt-svg-icon-list-items kt-svg-icon-list-items_8eac14-4f kt-svg-icon-list-columns-1 alignnone\"><ul class=\"kt-svg-icon-list\"><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-0 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>RELEASED: JULY 8, 2022<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>LABEL: LOST KIDS LLC<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-2 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>MOVEMENT: R&amp;B<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-3 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>LANE: SABRINA CLAUDIO, SiR<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-4 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>RATING: 6.5 \/ 10<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-5 kt-svg-icon-list-level-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_checkCircle\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14\"><\/path><polyline points=\"22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01\"><\/polyline><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\"><strong>HEAT: GRAVITY, FYTB, ANGEL<\/strong><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Brent Faiyaz is back with his latest project titled&nbsp;<em>WASTELAND<\/em>. Containing a mix of skits, intros, interludes and, of course, the tracks themselves, it runs for just over an hour. There isn\u2019t a ton of new music here, as much of it has already been released.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making music about his toxic love life is far from new for Faiyaz and the project centers around his inability to have healthy relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>WASTELAND&nbsp;<\/em>is Faiyaz\u2019s foray into the complicated, messy and primarily toxic relationships with women in his life. He struggles to empathize with the feelings of those around him. In turn, this leads to the destruction of his relationship with his child\u2019s mother, the central relationship in his life, as it\u2019s implied she commits suicide in the final skit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: WASTELAND\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"380\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/0PHMNbcgHfzSUALlfk7wGg?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, there are definitely moments where we see Faiyaz convey some remorse for his actions as well as some recognition that his recklessly lavish lifestyle is unsustainable and certainly not the way to attain any sort of lasting happiness. This is a stark contrast to the Faiyaz of the past who seemed incapable of recognizing the emotional destruction he left in the wake of his brash, flashy behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As per usual with Faiyaz, production across the project is great. Most beats sound well-assembled and complex yet the music itself really lacks diversity. Individually, the songs are good, yet most come out sounding remarkably similar and it\u2019s hard to differentiate one song from another. Furthermore, the songs are dangerously on theme to the extent that you sort of get tired of the dark, moody, synth-filled, deep bassline tracks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of music here is synthesized so when there\u2019s any sort of traditional instrumentation it\u2019s highly impactful. Look no further than ANGEL, ROLE MODEL, and WASTING TIME.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It should also be mentioned that Faiyaz did a great job with his use of skits. They further the theme of toxic relationships and create some unique context for the music.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for features, they are a bit varied in how well they fit. Tyler, Joony and Tre\u2019Armani all do a great job of matching Faiyaz and contributing to the songs they\u2019re on. They also add some great dimension and depth to what Faiyaz is trying to get across.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A track produced by the Neptunes seems right on brand for Faiyaz yet, in its actual execution, it sorely under-delivers. The beat isn\u2019t bad by any means but it really doesn\u2019t sound like something Faiyaz couldn\u2019t have come up with on his own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drake\u2019s verse is decent and it fits the song it\u2019s on, but on a track that has little to no musical or lyrical progression, it comes too late. And I hate to say it, but Alicia Keys\u2019 verse is terrible. It\u2019s not on brand for her at all, doesn\u2019t play to her strengths as a vocalist in the slightest, it feels forced, and the lyrics are borrowed and corny.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, this album meets fan\u2019s expectations but definitely doesn\u2019t surpass them. It\u2019s good but not great and it seems like Faiyaz is too scared to go outside his comfort zone. With how much talent Faiyaz has, it would be amazing to see him explore more mature subject matter and branch out creatively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An album that delivers on Faiyaz\u2019s trademark soothingly dark production and unique vocals but disappoints with a dull theme and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":551,"featured_media":58,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/551"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/project.journalism.torontomu.ca\/owenkroppsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}