I like Chance The Rapper. He's cool, he's likable, he's fun, he has a good voice, and he's been a part of a lot of songs I really like, like Good Ass Intro, I'm The One, No Brainer, and Hot Shower. And I'm not the only one. From what I've heard, most people like Chance The Rapper just as much as I do. So when I heard about the negative reception Chance's debut album, The Big Day, was getting, I was surprised and confused. What in this album could be so monumentally bad to earn the negative reception it has? Well, we're about to find out, as I delve into Chance's debut album, The Big Day, and see if it's overhated, like The Click, or completely deserving of the hate it has, like MANIA.
Cover: This is one of the oddest album covers I've ever come across. No title, no name of the artist, not even a picture of the artist. Just a hand, presumably Chance's, holding a CD embroidered in tiny jewels. I honestly don't know how to judge this cover. I mean, it's certainly attention grabbing, but it's so bizarre, I can't really judge its objective quality. Verdict: ?/5.
Song 1: All Day Long
This song is absolutely fantastic. It has such a fun, funky vibe. The production is great, Chance sounds great, the lyrics are fun, and John Legend, while a bit of an odd choice, sounds phenomenal. It's just such a funkadellic groove, reminiscent of songs like Finesse, Blinding Lights, and 24K Magic. For such a hated album, it's starting off pretty strong.
Verdict: 5/5.
Song 2: Do You Remember
This is also a really good song. The beat is cool, it has a lovely vibe, all 3 performers sound fantastic, the lyrics are cool, and the song is just so lovely and euphoric. Still not seeing why people hate this album so much.
Verdict: 5/5
Song 3: Eternal
Eternal is fine. While it's certainly not as good as the songs that preceded it, it's still a good song. The beat is groovy, Chance and Smino sound great, the lyrics are interesting, and the song is relaxing. Definitely an enjoyable album highlight.
Verdict: 4/5.
Song 4: Hot Shower
I already reviewed this song, so if you want my detailed thoughts on Hot Shower, click this link. But if you don't want to read the review, and want a quick description of my thoughts on HS, here it is:
Hot Shower is a phenomenal song. While it lacks the musical prowess of All Day Long and Do You Remember, Hot Shower makes up for that in boatloads by being a mountain of fun. The beat, while not amazing, is still fun, funky and enjoyable, Chance sounds good, MadeinTYO, despite being pretty forgettable, sounds really good, DaBaby is great as usual, the lyrics are absolutely fantastic, fun, and silly, (any song that references Good Burger is one that immediately goes on my favorite songs list), and the song is just so fun and silly. A lot of people really hate this song, because of Chance's voice, and the lyrics. I understand Chance's voice being grating to some people in this song, but I don't mind it, and like I said, I love the lyrics. It puts out so many hilarious lyrics left and right, and with so much technique, it makes Money Buy Drugs look like Earth in comparison. So yeah, Hot Shower is great. I love it.
Verdict: 7/5.
Song 5: We Go High
This song is so nice. The production is transcendent, Chance sounds great, and the lyrics are good, and it's just such a relaxing song. 5 songs in, and I've yet to find something even remotely bad.
Verdict: 5/5.
Song 6: I Got You (Always and Forever)
Like All Day Long, I Got You is funky as hell. The beat is funkilicious, and has a retro charm, Chance and everyone sounds amazing, the lyrics are good, and the song is boppin as hell. If you're a fan of 1980s throwbacks, this song is right up your alley.
Verdict: 5/5
Song 7 is a skit, which I'm ignoring, because it's not music.
Song 8: Roo
I'm not really a fan of this one. I like the psychadellic vibe, but the song is just so dull, and while Chance sounds fine, Coco sounds terrible, and Taylor is forgettable. A definite skip.
Verdict: 2/5.
Song 9: The Big Day
If an album is named after a song, the song that album is named after is usually good. Examples include Thank U Next, Professional Rapper, and Man Of The Woods. Does The Big Day continue that trend? No. I really don't like this song. The beat is terrible, there's no rhythm, there's annoying screeching, and it's just generally an unpleasant listening experience. An absolute chore to listen to on every level. SKIP THIS.
Verdict: 0/5.
Song 10: Let's Go On The Run
Let's Go On The Run is a very enjoyable song. The beat has a fun, tropical vibe, and while Chance is screechy at points, he still sounds really good, and Know Fortune sounds great as well. It may not be the best album, but Let's Go On The Run is definitely an album highlight.
Verdict: 4/5
Song 11: Handsome
This song is fine. It's definitely not as good as some of the other songs on this album, but it's decent. The beat is cool, Chance sounds great, and Megan sounds fantastic. Another great highlight.
Verdict: 4/5
Song 12: Big Fish
This is easily the most forgettable song on the album. It's basically Roo, but without the psyhadellic vibe which makes it kind of cool. Chance sounds boring, the beat is mediocre, and while Gucci sounds fine, it's not enough to redeem this song. I'm moving on before I fall asleep from boredom.
Verdict: 1/5.
Song 13: Ballin Flossin
Ballin Flossin is another fun groove. The beat is fun and groovy, Shawn sounds fantastic, Chance sounds great, and the song has an enjoyable, funky vibe. Oh, and those fantastic guitars. Say it with me now: another album highlight
Verdict: 5/5.
Song 14 is another skit. I know I talked about the skits in Professional Rapper, but I'm just skipping the skits today.
Song 15: 5 Year Plan
Verdict: 5/5
Song 16: Get A Bag
Wow is this song great. The production is fun as hell, Chance sounds fantastic, Calboy sounds great, and it's such an absolute bop and jam. This is the kind of song that the minute you hear, you feel an uncontrollable urge to dance like there's no tomorrow. I love it.
Verdict: 6/5.
Song 17: Slide Around
This song is just fine. It's nothing special, but it's decent. It has a good groove, Chance sounds great, Nicki sounds good, Lil Durk sounds good, and it's just a fun groove. It's not amazing, it's just good.
Verdict: 3/5.
Song 18: Sun Come Down
I like this song too. It's nice, relaxing, and has a bit of a groove, Chance sounds great, the lyrics are cool, and it's a nice vibe. Really good stuff.
Verdict: 5/5
Song 19: Found a Good One (Single No More)
Single No More is a fun groove. The beat is fun, Chance sounds great, the lyrics are cool, and the song is just a jammin peice of fun. Also, SMV and Pretty Vee both sound great, and near the end, the song turns up and gets even more fun and funky. Why do people hate this album? It's fricking great!
Verdict: 6/5.
Song 20: Town On The Hill
Like Roo, Town On The Hill has a very psychadellic beat, but I think it works better here. It's relaxing, nice, Chance sounds good, and it's relaxing. It's not a catchy, funky powerhouse, like most of the songs on this album, but it's still really good.
Verdict: 3/5.
Song 21 is another skit.
Song 22: Zanies and Fools
And so we come to the final song on The Big Day, Zanies and Fools. Is it as good as the other songs on this album, or does it stink like a skunk? Well, good news: Zanies and Fools is another home run. It is so relaxing. The guitars are amazing, Chance's voice is so soothing, and the lyrics are great. And then the song goes into overdrive, and becomes funky and fun. Chance sounds great, Nicki sounds good and has a good flow, Darius sounds good, and the song is such a jam. Zanies and Fools is a fantastic end to one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life.
Verdict: 5/5.
Final Thoughts: So, does The Big Day deserve the hate it has?
I'm probably going to piss a lot of people off by saying this, but The Big Day is a fantastic album. While there are a few bad songs, like Big Fish and the title track, The Big Day is filled with absolutely fantastic jams, not to mention on of the best comedy songs of all time. I have no fricking clue why an album this good would get so much hate. Granted, I haven't heard all the songs from Chance's mixtapes, so maybe The Big Day is a downgrade when compared to them. But on its own, The Big Day is a fantastic album, with a ton of great songs, that I highly recommend checking out. You should probably take a picture, because this is probably the only positive review of The Big Day you will ever see.
Verdict: 5/5
Best songs: Hot Shower, All Day Long, Do You Remember, Eternal, We Go High, I've Got You (Always And Forever), Ballin and Flossin, Sun Come Down, Get A Bag, Let's Go On The Run, 5 Year Plan , Found a Good One (Single No More), Zanies and Fools.
Worst songs: Roo, The Big Day, Big Fish.
What are your thoughts on The Big Day? Do you agree with me, or do you think it sucks? Comment below!!
Chance The Rapper's website: https://www.chanceraps.com/
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