"Don’t piss Chino off. That’s a four-word sermon."
And he raps exactly like it. I’ve enjoyed much of Chino’s work over the years, including his final project, 'God’s Carpenter', released shortly before his passing. But to circle back to my opening point—his relentless, always-angry delivery on this album starts to wear thin. The lack of variety in his flow and the absence of any hooks make it feel repetitive. Most tracks grind forward without a break, save for a brief respite on songs like the fourth song, 'The Red You Deserve'. Here, Chino’s verses are punctuated by excerpts from Todd Phillips' 'Joker', specifically the scene where the Joker appears on the Murray Franklin Show. These clips mirror the album's grim tone, fittingly so, as the project opens with a haunting reflection on suicide—a tragic prelude to Chino’s own death by hanging in 2024.
As always, his pen game remains sharp, packed with punchlines that demand attention. but unless you’re the kind of listener who thrives on 34 minutes of straight, rapid-fire rapping almost without pause, this album might not hold your interest. It’s technically impressive, but the monotony makes it hard to recommend wholeheartedly. Chino had been refining this album for years, and I can’t help but wonder if some of the elements I find missing were still waiting to be perfected...
Beats: ★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆
Hooks: ☆
Best Tracks: The Red You Deserve, Burn in Ivory
*11 Track streaming version
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