The Off-Season 2021 Album

J. Cole

There are aspects of this to appreciate, particularly some of the Cole's verses and flows, but after a few listens, I'm not left with anything memorable enough for a higher score. There isn't anything top-tier. '4 Your Eyez Only' aside, Cole seems to have reached out to outside producers more than his other projects, but there isn't much I like enough. Give me his beats from his first two albums any day of the week over the trap influenced production here. And the 'Do It Again' by The New Birth sample on 'Close' has been used so many times on some songs I love that is feels stale here. Best Tracks: 9 5 . s o u t h, p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l