Limbo

by Aminé

Released August 7, 2020 via CLBN / Republic Records

Reviewed August 16, 2020

Top tracks (based on community voting)

Pressure In My Palms (67%), Fetus (46%), Compensating (39%)

Aminé’s project Limbo is the latest installment from one of the most underappreciated artists currently. His peers are not rivaling his sounds, visuals, and overall musical experience. This album is a front to back listen that will be enjoyable indefinitely. There are no “club” records, but this album hits differently. The four-song stretch from “Compensating” to “Riri” is incredible. In a seemingly effortless way, Aminé can make comfortable music with the occasional hilarious ad-lib. It takes effort to achieve this sound and is applaudable because his quality never dips. Limbo brings a different energy when compared to Good For You. That project was joyous and playful, while Limbo resides in a state of self-reflection. “Woodland”, “Kobe”, and “Fetus” is cry-worthy for a solid six minutes and fifty-four seconds. I hope Kobe and Groggs are bumping this album in the afterlife. Aminé puts his full range of talent on display from harmonic melodies, soulful production, and thought-provoking lyrics. I enjoy and recommend this project for any level of hip-hop listeners. – Daniel (8.8/10)

The level of growth Aminé has experienced in three quick years is nothing to sneeze at. Splashing onto the nation’s radar behind a hit single tends to bring outsized expectations and significant pressure to defy the “one-hit wonder” narrative. 2017’s Good For You did exactly that. Not only had Aminé registered other hits in “Spice Girl” and “Heebiejeebies,” but the strength of the album suggested a level of talent and potential that matters at the mainstream level. Three years later, Limbo is an improvement on Aminé’s debut album in virtually every way and manifests significant returns on his apparent potential. It offers a calculated blend of contemporary pop rap, R&B, Graduation-era backpack hip-hop, golden era hip-hop, and modern underground with confident performances at every turn. Aminé’s development as a rapper/singer feels necessary, natural, and is more often than not paired with great instrumentals and effective songwriting. Limbo is funky, beautiful, catchy, and meaningful all in the same sentence, finalizing Aminé’s place as one of the most well-rounded and versatile pop rap acts out today. – DeVán (8/10)

When "Caroline" exploded in 2016, many swept Aminé aside into one-hit-wonder purgatory. But here we are in 2020, and the charismatic Portland rapper is turning tables at a faster rate than ever before. Capable of both playing to modern trends and tipping its cap to the genre’s more hidden initiatives, Limbo lands as an intelligent and charming take on contemporary hip-hop. – Enth (8/10)

Daniel: 8.8/10 | DeVán: 8.2/10 | Enth: 8/10

Hadley: 8/10 | Dominick: 7.7/10 | Cam: 7/10