by Thundercat
Released February 24, 2017 via Brainfeeder
Reviewed February 17, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Them Changes (62%), Friend Zone (28%), Tokyo (25%)
From the get-go, Thundercat’s gorgeous, enchanting voice on “Rabbot Ho” reels you into Drunk like sirens to a man lost at sea. The wonderful mix of R&B, jazz, soul, funk, and electronic music keeps you on the ride. One of the many things that make Thundercat unique that’s present (in addition to the funky rhythms) here is the humor of his themes and lyrics. The lyrical content can be a little off-putting to some, but with Thundercat’s charisma and willingness to embrace his bizarreness, it becomes very endearing. Another quality unique to Drunk is the more avant-garde song structure; which isn’t even present in his later work. The 50-minute album is separated into many shorter songs, which makes each song feel less individualistic and more like moving parts in a greater machine. Although that has a lot of benefits––most notably the fact that it makes for a more harmonious listening experience––individual songs have less of a chance to shine. However, Drunk is a highly enjoyable display of Thundercat’s talent, artistry, and ability to make quality music in different genres. – Alan (8/10)
Two years removed from collaborating alongside Kendrick Lamar in To Pimp a Butterfly, Thundercat spawned another outstanding collection of hits, titled Drunk. “Weird” factor has certainly long been a tool in Thundercat’s kit. Though here, it becomes the essence of his songwriting. While maintaining a cool, eclectic, and relatable instrumental profile, Thundercat dug deeply into his quirks to write this album in a compelling manner. Sadness plays a premier role in this album’s introspection, in addition to the bassist’s defining sense of bizzaro humor. What also tends to strike the ear is the half-intense, half-flavorful flurry of chords emanating from Thundercat’s six-string bass. You really don’t know what you’ll get in Drunk, and that’s what made it one of the most memorable albums of 2017 by far. – DeVan (8/10)
Pax: 9.8/10 | Pablo: 9/10 | Cam: 8.5/10 | Hadley: 8.5/10 | Henny: 8.3/10 | Alan: 8/10
Ben (Synth): 8/10 | DeVán: 8/10 | Dominick: 7.7/10 | Jared: 6.5/10
