Danny Brown has been toying with the concept of an album that shows the highs and lows of drug life for the last five years or so, and until this point, he has come exceptionally close to encapsulating that concept in a single album. XXX was definitely more about the low, coupling drug addiction with gang life and the inevitable process of aging. Whereas Old was more manic, going from deepest low to highest high. Atrocity Exhibition is the tipping point, and the aftermath. On this album, Danny spits over some of the most far out beats I've ever heard on a rap album, sometimes bordering on avant-garde in the way he seemingly takes a random rhythm to put his words to. This is exhibited on tracks like "Downward Spiral" and "When It Rain".
Other tracks like "Rolling Stone" and "Today" are a bit more readable, but there's still a thick, druggy atmosphere, this album doesn't escape that, not even once. Which is where Atrocity Exhibition defines itself, it feels like the death, and afterworld journey of a drug addict; there are crushing lows ("Tell Me What I Don't Know") and surreal passages, such as the B-Real featured "Get Hi".
But for all the praises I can throw at the production, Danny still steals the show here. His verses are consistently funny, harrowing, and masterfully written, to the point where I'd say he as lyrically potent on this LP as Kendrick was on TPAB. Of course, Danny goes for a different statement, in the end telling all the doubters and haters that he will give them hell for them putting him down. This LP is a trip, and unlike his last two albums, which had the tendency to include some filler here and there, Atrocity Exhibition hits the nail on the head with absolutely every track.
Along the way though, prepare to expand your mind, because an open mind is the key to seeing just how brilliant this album truly is. It's great without a deep listen, but it's a work of art with a little more effort.
10/10
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