Childish Gambino
Because the Internet
Glassnote Records
This is the second album from Childish Gambino, who most know as Donald Glover, former writer for 30 Rock and one of the stars of Community. The rapper and comedic genius comes back from his heavy rap mixtape Royalty and his successful first album Camp to give us something completely different.
Because the Internet is much more than an album; it’s a work of art. Before the album came out, a short film titled “Clapping for the Wrong Reasons” was released on YouTube. After the album was released, a 75-page screenplay was made available to read while you listen.
This album only has a small selection of featured artists, as opposed to feature-packed Royalty, but does have guest appearances from Chance the Rapper, Jhene Aiko and Macklemore.
The album starts on a heavier note with “Crawl,” for what I can only compare with Kanye West’s “H.A.M.” in terms of style. “Worldstar” turns from heavy to light as he takes the album on a romantic turn with songs like “The Worst Guys,” “Shadows,” and “Pink Toes.” If you’re a true fan, you probably heard the first few released songs, including “3005” and “Telegraph Ave.” floating around the Internet for a while now, along with the ridiculously versed “Sweatpants.”
With the incredibly emotional “Flight of the Navigator” and the fact that the last song is called “Life: The Biggest Troll” and ends abruptly mid-sentence, this album only shows that Gambino is on the rise both vocally and lyrically.
While he gets ready to write his own music-themed comedy show on FX between insane touring for this album, all I can say is: C-H-I-L-D is the ISH, man.
—Rebecca Potter
