I think this is better than his last couple of albums. The best here, while not getting near his amazing best of list (edit: on further listens 'Handle Me Gently' isn't far off), beat anything I remember 'Non-Fiction' and 'Good Man' having. 'Handle Me Gently' is my pick with its dope chorus and variety in production that means it never gets boring and will be one I can see playing a lot moving forward. 'After Party', is worth mentioning as it borrows lyrics and the chorus from Tupac's 'Thug Passion'. That pre-chorus and chorus elevate that song nicely. 'Push Up' is my least favourite song with the untalented and annoying Trippie Redd feature being the main reason. The following 'Proud of You' doesn't do enough and is another letdown. The best R&B builds up and changes, just like 'Handle Me Gently' does and the low points here don't do that as well. BLEU on 'Stay Down' is another average featuring appearance, but the production change up 1:30 into it, make the song feel like two separate songs and is bubbling under the best. The opener, 'Layin' Low', isn't the greatest way to kick-off the album. The production is boring, again, the autotune mumble rap feature isn't great, however; the chorus is likeable. This is still a far cry from his best albums, 'Year of the Gentleman' and 'In My Own Words', but there is enough on 'Self Explanatory' to make is a worthy R&B album. Best Tracks: Handle Me Gently, Don't Love Me, Call Me Up, What If, Want It All or Nothing, Stay Down

After years since his last project of original material, Lemar returns. On the first listen I was surprised by the sound of this. It's quite different from his previous predominantly R&B/soul tracks. There is more of a pop/electronic/synth pop/feel good theme here, that is perhaps more like his earlier songs like 'Dance (With U)' than most of what he's created. And then there are two songs ('Take Care' and 'Where Do We Get Off?') that are basically just Lemar backed by a piano. While in a different lane, this is enjoyable music. I do prefer his songs like 'If There's Any Justice' than his more upbeat tunes, but this is a decent project that's easy to play from front to back, has some catchy moments and some different sounds present. Best Tracks: Future Love, Dust, Free Your Mind, I Been

Why do these labels/artists only upload the clean version of albums on streaming services!?. Rampage was an artist in Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad, and given that, the sound here isn't surprising with DJ Scratch and Rashad Smith producing the whole project, but it perhaps lacks the variety of Busta albums, having more of a straight-up boom bap sound throughout the album. A decent, consistent listen, but there is nothing amazing for a higher rating. Beats: ★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: Wild for the Night, Conquer da World, We Getz Down (Remix)

I feel like there aren't many well known hip hop groups that I haven't given a try, so with Arrested Development recently dropping 'On the Cutting Room Floor', I realised that I had never listened to one of their albums. The rapper, Speech, is definitely original, as are the sounds present. I can't say I've heard anyone who raps like him, but it ain't really my thing, just like the album. There are highly acclaimed projects I listen to that I wonder how anyone on Earth could like them, and this isn't that. I get liking this sound, but it isn't my cup of tea. Best Tracks: Mr. Wendal, Natural

This is the second David Banner album I've checked out and I continue to be unimpressed. The production, mostly by Banner himself, never elevates itself to the next level. The man produced songs like T.I.'s 'Rubber Band Man', but nothing comes close to that level of catchiness. Lil Jon even provides 2 beats but neither are up to his usual high standard either. There are some decent moments but after 3-4 spins I'm not enthused about anything from this album and don't have much to say about it. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Like a Pimp, Choose Me, So Trill, Bring It On, Still Pimpin'