YOYE, Paul Karsens latest album, marks a triumphant entrance into mainstream rap production style and lyricism. The album, made up of 4 tracks varying in length from under two minutes to well over three, is a short but vibrant peek into promising work to come.
The album begins with a strong introduction on the track “Already Winning.” The track is in large part carried by its strong, cinematic, chorus in which Karsen hails his established success. It features strong vocals and clever rhymes, delivered with an intensity and tone that sets a high standard for the rest of the album.
The second track meets that standard aggressively. “Karsen is Back” takes the triumphant tone of “Already Winning” and pairs it with a dark beat and biting lyrics. Karsen here displays more of his range and lyricism than in the earworm based “Already Winning.” While his first track acts as a victorious entrance into the album, Karsen doubles back to denounce those who stood in his way in the second track, and manages to do both fluidly.
“Get the Paper,” the third track on the album, is its calmest. Karsen turns down the intensity he brought to his first two tracks. While his tone is no less celebratory, the relaxed beat seems to carry over to the delivery of his lyrics as well. This is in part what makes the track unique in comparison to the rest of the album, as the lack of aggression and tempo allows the words to shine through. But as a listener, it’s not quite as fun as the first half of the album.
“Fatal Recitals” seems set apart from the rest of the album. The beat for one, is less cinematic and more jazzy. Stuttering piano chords and silky smooth jazz backing set the stage for the delivery of lyrics that tell the story of the struggles that allowed Karsen to come out so aggressively in the first half of his album. He opens up about his family life and the difficulties that come with his song-writing. The lyrics, though sometimes sharp, are delivered in the manner of a quick, yet deliberate, aside to the listeners. Though Karsen doesn’t wish for you to sleep on his success story, he has no desire for you to lose sight of his toils either. It shouldn’t work as a closing song for such an album, but Karsen’s range and dazzling lyricism allows it to do so.
YOYE all in all is an album best described as short and sweet. Paul Karsen in four songs makes a full display of his lyricism, range, and passion, proving himself worthy of mainstream acclaim. The production behind each song is lacking in fault, and I for one am excited to see what comes next for this emerging artist.