After building crazy momentum with a banging 2014, Detroit native Big Sean set out to release his third studio album with Def Jam and GOOD Music. Big Sean’s third major release, Dark Sky Paradise is a great example of how an artist can evolve and find his voice. Following through on his creative vision, this project is Sean’s best work to date. I sat down with this album and listened the whole way through multiple times and with every listen it became clearer that Big Sean is working really hard to solidify himself as one of the greatest from the new school of rappers. Dark Sky Paradise is a 12 (15 if you copped the deluxe version) track album that seems like his first concise album which features strong lyricism, great production and overall great songwriting. Check out the track by track review below.
1. Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)
Setting the tone with the opening like every great album should, the intro track is Big Sean reminding us of how he “started from the basement, made it to the skyscrapers”. Over Rob Got Beats’ production complete with thunderstorm sample sounds, Sean combines clever bars with a fast paced flow set to open your ears for the rest of the album.
2. Blessing feat. Drake
With some assistance from his homie Drake, Sean goes waaaay in over Vinylz production. When it dropped as a single-for-stream on Sean’s SoundCloud page (before it got taken down), the Internet went crazy. Though the cut form the album doesn’t feature the bonus Ye verse we heard on the original drop, this track still goes hard. The beat might be a little difficult to catch a bop to, but the bars on this joint are dope nonetheless. Drizzy’s hook is super catchy and induces a huge chant like response when he says “I’m waaay up, I feel blessed”!
3. All Your Fault feat. Kanye West
This joint is deceptively turnt up. It has a slow start but picks up a quarter way through every verse. The wide kicks and soul sample make the track seem mellow but when you hear the trap snare start snapping you can’t resist the urge to wild out. On this track Sean Don and Yeezus spit solo verses but before the track closes out the two trade bars for a sweet 16. Straight up!
4. I Don’t Fuck With You feat. E-40
Track number four from DSP is the break up anthem we caught mid September. If you recall, Sean dropped this as a part of the 4 song playlist of new music after signing his management deal with Roc Nation. Featuring DJ Mustard’s famous production (and production tag – Mustard on the beat hoe!), an infectious hook and clever bars, Sean landed himself a platinum plaque with this one (seriously, how did this make it to radio?), but more importantly made a kinda light track to contrast from the rest of the dark ass album.
5. Play No Games feat. Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign
Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign had a pretty good 2014 with songs all over the radio and the in the clubs and this song will likely catch a few spins. The two features are solid and Big Sean sounds dope on the Key Wane produced beat. Chris Brown’s hook is super catchy and his declaration of no-game-playing is something that will have every man singing along. I ain’t like them other ni**as!
6. Paradise
BARS. Simply put, Sean is flexing hard on this track. This extended cut is a little shy of 4 minutes but with the amount of quality bars you get on this joint, you won’t be disappointed. Big Sean’s flow and energy match Mike WiLL Made It’s production perfectly. The trap drums and ominous horns really sound like you’ve entered a Dark Sky Paradise. You have to listen to this.
7. Win Some, Lose Some
For some reason Jhené Aiko goes uncredited on this joint but either way her vocal addition is a nice touch on this sentimental joint. Big Sean walks us through his wins and losses, trails with family and triumphs with his homies.
8. Stay Down
Never questioning the loyalty of his homies on this 4 minute crew anthem, Big Sean tell us what loyalty is all about. With Da Internz handling the production, Big Sean handles the bars and he really grabs your attention with the hook. His kinda faded voice inflection matches the beat perfectly so you can imagine the next time your squad is getting ready to catch a buzz this is something you should definitely play.
9. I Know feat. Jhené Aiko
Event though this another Mustard production, I’m not mad at it. This toned down, smooth and sultry track is for the grown folks. Sean dabbles with some auto-tune but again, not mad at it. The vibe on this joint is really laid back and sexy but keeps up with the tone of the album with the slow and deep melodies. Jhené sounds great on this joint and when her vocals get layered with Sean’s as the song comes to a close, sonically, it sounds amazing.
10. Deep feat. Lil Wayne
Rolling right into his third production credit, DJ Mustard blends the end of ‘I Know’ with the beginning of this joint seamlessly. Rapping about the depth of life’s problems as a celebrity and adjusting to his fame and relationship with women, the Whoa God spits, “deeper than your sister dying and you telling your nieces, the deeper it gets boy, the pressure increases”. Wayne offers some back up vocals on the hook and a decent verse.
11. One Man Can Change The World feat. Kanye West and John Legend
This song leaked just days before the album dropped and it is easily one of my favourite tracks from this album and Big Sean’s entire catalogue. John Legend on the keys combined with the beautiful vocal sample create a powerful backdrop for Big Sean’s inspiring lyrics. In the second verse B.S. details his grandmother’s life and at the end of the track he dedicates the song to her. Truly a great moment and a great way to lead to the close of the album.
Stunting over DJ Dahi’s production, Big Sean reminds his peers and listeners why he’s one of the brightest stars in the game. And for any of his haters or any of the women who have a bone to pick, Sean finishes the track with this, “313-515-8772 bitch, call me”.
Featuring OVO’s PND on the hook and the boards, this track deserve’s to be on the retail version of the album. This deluxe edition cut is a nice joint which features the urban r&b vibe we’ve come to love from PARTY and Big Sean drops clever bars as he reminisces on his exes and new women.
Sean Don and his girl can probably pop off well on the radio, especially because she is hot on the charts. This track is a perfect example of what it would sound like to hear Sean on some pop charts. The subject matter is humorous but also real, cause we all know “these hoes be doin’ research”.
The last song from Sean on the deluxe version is dope. Though it falls short of the 3 minute mark, Big Sean shows us how easily he can switch between different flows as the beat changes up throughout. As the album closes out, this is song sums up Sean’s life before fame. Boss Up and just listen.
A solid third effort from Big Sean has me excited about the next phase of his musical journey. This is no Hall Of Fame. This is his best major release to date. Hopefully, Sean decides to continue with this tone and theme or maybe he’ll save it for the next GOOD Music compilation album. Who knows? Either way, I dig this album. You should FUXWITHIT.
