Feels Alright

George Watsky is living proof of the internet’s power. His video for “Pale Kid Raps Fast” may sound unassuming, but it spiraled into virality fast. On top of this popular video, Watsky’s career also blossomed from his work on the YouTube series entitled the Epic Rap Battles of History. As crazy as this rise to the top may have been, it ultimately allowed Watsky to pursue his career in music. Since these viral videos, Watsky’s career has only seen more success.

Not only is his discography building, but he has also accumulated an impressive amount of celebrity co-signs. Just to name a couple, some of Watsky’s key contacts over the years have been Lin Manuel Miranda, Anderson .Paak and Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots. To say these three people are big names in the entertainment industry would be a gross understatement. Watsky has clearly been blessed with a great opportunity to prove his capability to the public. On his latest record, Watsky does just that. He proves that he is not only a strong lyricist but also an above-average songwriter. While there are still some things the rapper can polish, Complaint is a great step towards sustainable success.

“Welcome to the Family” kicks this album off in a fitting way. The catchy and homey piano progression serves as a comfortable canvas for Watsky’s rapid-fire delivery that envelopes this track. Watsky’s sputtering flow and professions of love and acceptance match the track’s melodic and chanting atmosphere. Watsky is laying his anxieties and flaws bare on this track as he talks to a peer who clearly feels the same way. Instead of lamenting over their nervousness, the group embraces each other as family and celebrates. The track is a touching and vibrant affair that ultimately sets the tone for the rest of the record.

“All Like Whatever” is another glossy pop track that is easy to embrace. Watsky is yearning for a romantic companion and stumbles over millennial clichés in order to win this person over. At first, Watsky sounds like a maniac with some of his tactics, but in reality, none of these methods are all too uncommon. Each one of us has a bit of desperation in us. While our methods of coping with this may not be the most healthy or proper, they certainly are not isolated to us alone.

“F*** it Up” is another fun track that catches the listener’s ear. The imperfect vocals that float in and out of this track are a bit out of place but in a good way. Sometimes the clean sound and the deliberate flows of this record are a bit robotic, so to hear some atonalities was refreshing. On top of this, Watsky plays to his calling card on this track. He raps very fast and energetically. His performance on this track is encompassing and clearly shows that he has massive promise. With that being said, there are a couple of songs that do not hit on these same highs.

“What Goes Up” feels a bit preachy and messy. The auto-tune vocals here sound a bit discomforting, and ultimately the tune of the song is rather uninspiring. “Mean Ass Drunk” includes some of the funniest and intriguing bars on the whole record, but the progression of the song is stagnant to the point where it becomes uninteresting. The same could be said for “No Complaints No Conversation.” This song is especially disappointing because it could have been an album highlight, but instead, it fails to progress sonically. The lyrics about mental health and relationships on this track really do need to be heard, but the message is somewhat overshadowed but the lackluster production here.

Ultimately, there is still a whole lot more to enjoy on Complaint than not. The album rounds itself out nicely with two of its stronger cuts “Limos 4 Emos” and “Whitecaps” finishing the record. The pop-centric sound contrasts Watsky’s smart and silly self-help lyricism to make something truly intriguing on this project. With more time, Watsky could really flesh this sound out into something outstanding. As for now, we’ll have to accept it for what it is: a promising and fun collection of songs. Let’s hope he can fulfill on that promise in the future.