Chicago native Noname really differs from other rappers. Instead of going into the studio and creating beats beforehand, she uses live music and normal studio production to get her thoughts across. She’s collaborated with artists such as Chance the Rapper and Saba. After releasing her mixtape in 2016, she now releases “Room 25,” her debut album. “Room 25” is a spectacular album, with great production and storytelling throughout.
The album starts off with “Self,” in which she mentions her thoughts on various topics like religion. The beat is soulful and warm.
She also delivers some quotable lyrics on this track like, “Really questioning every god, religion, Kayne Bitches” and “Heaven’s only four-feet tall / I set my ringer to it.” “Self” is a great starting track and it sets the tone for upcoming tracks on the album.
“Blaxploitation” comes in with a more upbeat tempo paying homage to the film genre it shares its name with. This track discusses a controversial topic in society: stereotypes. She talks about how they cause anxiety and other issues.
Her lyricism on this track is phenomenal, especially when she says, ”Captain watch a lil bitch go crunch and wonder how everything happen.” She also says, “Keep the hot sauce in her purse and she be real, real blacky / Just like a Hillary Clinton, who masqueraded the system.” Noname’s political message is powerful, even with her monotone voice during the song.
The most impressive song on this album is “Window,” which features Noname’s guitar player, Phoelix. This song has a really good vibe with the bass guitar strumming and Phoelix’s psychedelic vocals.
The track starts off with Noname stating “Me so happy now, me so Mississippi / Kiss me ‘til I drown, everybody think they know me / Don’t nobody really know me.” Then she goes into a verse in which she goes into to detail about her sex life and her empty feeling while doing these things.
Afterwards, Phoelix comes in with a hook that talks about finding yourself by going back to your family’s roots. This song is really interesting and delivered a decent message about finding yourself.
“Don’t Forget About Me” is another good track on the album, talking about her life changing in good and bad ways and hoping that she will still be recognized by the people that she cares about. The production is beautiful, with the bass guitar slightly strumming in the background, along with a drum beat that mixes in really well.
“Montego Bae” brings an island type vibe with Noname talking about the new lover that she’s found. This song’s production is relaxing, with the bass, drums and Raven Lena‘s singing meshing really well with instrumentals.
“Ace” is a wonderful song that features artists Smino and Saba. This track sounds like a normal R&B song with Smino starting it off with his great vocals. Then Noname comes in and delivers a dope verse with quotable lyrics, “And radio n***** sound like they wearing adult diapers.”
Saba instantly comes in verse that included a really versatile flow which meshes really well with the track.
Overall, this is amazing from top to bottom, especially with the quality production that the album provides. Noname is definitely a top artist in today’s rap game and “Room 25” proves she is just getting started. 5/5
