Lil Yachty's early career choices have continued to haunt him. Initially, he didn't run away from those who labeled him the godhead of mumble rap when he blew up in 2016 with "Minnesota" and "One Night," and mostly embraced the ascribed aura of a happy-go-lucky teen making low-stakes music. The result: no matter how many impressive lead lyrical performances he turned in or features he ate up, to some Yachty would always be the harbinger of rap's clout-chasing era, a clown right to the tips of his once-Flamin' Hot Cheeto-dyed hair.
Let’s Start Here., his new album, is Yachty's attempt at being a "serious artist." It's a psychedelic album with elements of rap, with production and contributions from indie luminaries such as Alex G, Chairlift's Patrick Wimberley, Magdalena Bay, Jam City, Mac DeMarco, and Nick Hakim. Above all, the drastic shift in Yachty's style suggests an understanding that in order to break through the constraining (and at least partially self-imposed) perception of his talent, a demolition is necessary. That alone would be worth a commendation, but Let's Start Here. also succeeds on its own merits; it's easily the best Yachty album since his debut and digs through the artist's limits and style in a way he never has before.
Along with the new album arrives a music video for the song “sAy SOMETHINg.” Yachty plays many versions of himself in an Alice In Wonderland-esque romp through love, heartbreak, and the aftermath. For anyone skeptical about Yachty's new direction, "sAy SOMETHINg” is a great introductory showcase for how Yachty's game-changing melodicism works so well over the twinkling psychedelic-pop instrumentation. Watch above.
