GTA Truly Dispatch Genres With ‘Good Times Ahead’

GTA‘s disregard for genres has been well documented, from their all-over-the-place-but-still-tied-together performances, to their productions and their classic mix series Death To Genres. With their major label debut Good Times Ahead, fans were left wondering if their genre mashing days would be washed away for a poppy, radio-friendly sound. Thankfully the duo stayed true to themselves, delivering a 10 track album that blends R&B, Rap, Future Bass, Pop, House, Trap and just about any other genre you can think of. It does this, often times on the same tracks (see ‘Feel It,’ & ‘All Caught Up’). What further serves to impress is the different sides of the sound spectrum that somehow fit together. The project opens ‘True Romance,’ a love infused ballad that’ll take you back to slow dancing with your first crush. It’s intoxicating but it will leave wondering if GTA’s gone soft (these are the guys who made ‘Break Your Neck’ after all). ‘Little Bit Of This’ kills that thought in its tracks. Nature sounds spill into a bass heavy, brain-bending beat that’s championed by Vince Staples’ raw as fuck bars. ‘Feel It and ‘Heartbeat’ fall somewhere in between. The latter starts as an emotional, downtempo tune that drops of a cliff into some cavernous bass. A few cuts later the Iamsu assisted ‘Contract’ mixes Bay area bounce with some Middle-Eastern flavour for a surefire standout. On Good Times Ahead, you’re never quite sure where it’s going, but it’s always a great ride.