The Weekly Coos

Life is Beautiful is the latest release by Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist. It is a surprisingly smooth project that shows we’ve been left starved by 2 Chainz’s lack of rapping over Alchemist beats. The writing treads familiarity for both artists, but having Alchemist’s smooth and calm production that radiates summer sun as a base makes it sound more refreshing, especially with some of the maturity that emanates from being responsible people. I mean, nothing hits close like Larry June opening the album and talking about waking up to get bagels before starting the day or 2 Chainz reflecting on his past and how his mentality has shifted on “LLC,” where he has new interpretations on what used to be defined as “gangster.” There’s an ethos to their overarching theme that resonates through the beats produced by Alchemist. It isn’t Larry June’s first rodeo, so his finesse comes through as consistently as Curren$y and Harry Fraud collabs, but it’s 2 Chainz that makes it special. We’ve come to hear him rap over predominately trap beats, almost becoming more of a one-trick pony in some cases. I’m a fan of Life is Beautiful for many reasons, but unfortunately, the 2 Chainz high isn’t enough for me to call the album perfect.

What makes Life is Beautiful memorable is the synergy between both artists, specifically as 2 Chainz takes his flows and tempers them to fit the summer-like ethos of the vibe. It’s like Larry June is rapping alongside an older him, and that equilibrium offers much to it, but that doesn’t all equate to pure greatness. There’s a bit of flexing, descriptors of their relationship with drugs and their place in life at the current moment—shoot, 2 Chainz’s reflections on my family life as he does so on “LLC” or how his generation of rap made drug use more of an appealing factor when the content, more often than not, was seen as vices instead of this ego-tripping partying happiness. These bright moments make up for a fantastic run of tracks in the album’s first half, especially with the captivating vocal drops in the hook of “Colossal,” or fitting beautifully into the niche of that June and Alchemist vibe. Though it resonates with me that the second is lesser than the first, it’s because the sound can overstay its welcome, and if you’re big on lyricism, much of it might work for you. However, that isn’t the essence for all, and I couldn’t find a proper equilibrium between the two, save for “Generation” and “Epiphany.”

Life is Beautiful is a fun romp that catapults 2 Chainz into a new stratosphere, even if the writing remains similar. Hearing him channel new energy and find a smooth direction with the music is enjoyable, creating something that will resonate throughout the summer with its sheer repeatability. I was thrilled to listen to this new album and come away with a positive outlook, particularly praising the beautiful production from The Alchemist. Larry June and Alchemist share a synergy that isn’t for everyone, especially those who aren’t into laid-back rap; however, with 2 Chainz as an x-factor, most of the tracks become enjoyable rather than feeling like another retread of past collaborations. It isn’t perfect, but there’s enough here for me to recommend this to newcomers or fans of 2 Chainz who have felt underwhelmed by his previous non-collaboration albums.

Westside Gunn consistently releases projects and makes strides as both a performer and entrepreneur, so it isn’t surprising that the mixtapes may lack the depth his albums often possess when they delve into more personal themes. While his content may feel repetitive, the music still maintains its essence amid a collection of features from Stove God Cooks, Estee Nack, and others navigating hard beats and a prevailing sense of self-worth through the highs and lows of a criminal mindset. This isn’t to disparage what we hear but rather highlight that we shouldn’t expect to be taken aback if similar elements arise from their writing as it emboldens unique themes of grandeur and fiscal moves. Thankfully, the silver lining comes from the brilliance behind their verses set against quality production that showcases this. Westside Gunn’s familiar roster of producers like Denny LaFlare, Conductor Williams, Daringer, and newcomers like Mario Luciano and Mr. Green, among others, join forces powerfully to deliver another series of tracks that elevate their ongoing rotation. It’s common for Westside Gunn to serve an appetizer ahead of larger projects, before delivering on the main course, and this appetizer is halfway filling.

12 lacks a conceptual foundation that demands much of your time or attention, as it flows more easily with metaphorical clarity that aids in establishing the imagery presented. It’s one of those albums that becomes a part of your regular rotation but doesn’t push the envelope, despite the flawless three-track stretch from “Adam Page” to “055.” The quality of the bars makes it worthwhile to spend time with, even if the true substance will emerge from what these artists produce next, and that’s what keeps the flow positive from start to finish. It’s a familiar path that others have tread so heavily that it feels worn out; it’s irrelevant now. Regardless of any numbness listeners may experience with this subject matter, the synergy is reaching its peak, further making us appreciate greatness from lower platforms rather than those on higher ground with their more mainstream sound. There’s not much more to say about 12, other than serving as a decent appetizer that could be dismissed as a throwaway project since the reiterations aren’t particularly satisfying.