JPEGMAFIA’s new album brings experimental hip-hop to a new level

In anticipation of his newest album, “All My Heroes Are Cornballs,” rapper JPEGMAFIA ironically referred to the project on social media as “This Disappointment.” The joke quickly caught on with fans and many immediately took to Twitter, bemoaning their need to be “disappointed.”

Now, a year and a half after dropping “Veteran,” one of the most critically acclaimed rap albums of 2018, it’s safe to say the second studio album from the provocative rapper, producer and singer will not be disappointing anyone. “All My Heroes Are Cornballs” marks a milestone in experimental hip-hop, and at the time of this review is the best album of the year.

To appreciate just how impressive the growth JPEGMAFIA shows on “All My Heroes” is, it’s important to stress the level of innovation that was already present on his previous album, “Veteran.” This album saw JPEGMAFIA showcase an uncanny ability to assemble strange and abrasive sounds into effective instrumentals while delivering witty and quotable lyrics that poked fun at fans who enjoy Drake and Alt-Right alike.

The artist spares no one, even going after fellow provocateurs from a bygone era, rapping “f*ck a Johnny Rotten, I want Lil B” on the comically titled “I Cannot F*****g Wait Til Morrissey Dies.”

Now, elements of his artistry create more melodic music that is more geared toward casual listeners who are less inclined to enjoy experimental work.

Each and every one of the 18 tracks succeeds in bringing its own unique sound to the album. The final result is a mind-blowing collage of sounds and lyrics that are almost always either intensely aggressive or unconventionally beautiful. There are few moments on the album that feel between these opposing tones. JPEGMAFIA makes this work, even when frequently including these tones together on the same songs.

Much of this is accomplished with his executed transitions found throughout the album, making for fantastic moments on songs like “Kenan vs. Kel” and “Post Verified Lifestyle.”

JPEGMAFIA’s rapping is in peak form throughout the album, demonstrating a decided improvement from “Veteran.”

This improvement can be heard on virtually every song on the album, especially “PTSD” and “Papi I Missed U,” the album’s epic closing track. He also displays a greater affinity for writing hooks, culminating in “Free the Frail,” which features a groovy hook that may be the best one of the year: “Don’t rely on the strength of my image, baby. If it’s good, then it’s good, break it down, this s**t is outta my hands.”

If songs like “Free the Frail,” “Thot Tactics,” and “Grimy Waifu” are any indicator, it appears that he embraced more frequent use of sung melodies and R&B influenced instrumentals on his songs while using autotune.

“All My Heroes Are Cornballs” is so dense with exciting sounds and lyrics that it’s hard to address enough of them in a 500-word review.

The sheer volume of musical content to process doesn’t put off listeners, but instead spurs them to return to the album over and over again to enjoy previously-noticed sounds and lyrics again while discovering new ones. It is the rare album that is infinitely replay-able, making it, for lack of a better word, perfect.

10/10.