He’s always been distinctly committed in his delivery and flow (just an obvious example would be ‘P’s and Q’s,’ which left little room to leave for error.) But everything on The Circus feels so precise and so sobering: everything from the beats, now evolved and eking with a new confidence, to Mick himself, who feels renewed and inspired. For fans of Mick’s longer projects, this one’s on the sleek side with 7 tracks, but everything counts doubly – especially in tracks like ‘Same Ol,’ ‘The Fit,’ and ‘Flaunt’ that take on a visceral, viral quality.

The perfect intro, ‘Same Ol’ invites and just as suddenly plunges with a catchy dripping hook that repeats only once before ‘Carefree’ soars, as Mick Jenkins sings softly and reflects on life, relationships, and the police. Mick paints the image of stress especially well with a sticky post-hook asking for space from friends and family. The lush electric piano and guitar make this track, as well as its follow-up ‘The Light’ two of the chillest tracks on the release – a longstanding staple of Mick Jenkins’ stoned gold sounds. The EarthGang feature on the latter being so vivid with its imagery. The hook on this track feels at once detached, but also has an encouraging element to it circa Pharrell’s 2005 ‘You Can Do It, Too’ vibes. Mick Jenkins’ verses on this track shows he is still hunting for truth, consistency, and the best in his world.

‘Flaunt’ has a decoded confidence in it and wavily mocks flex culture with a knowing nod to a beat that itself is a funhouse mirrored image of the sin-wave laced trap beats Migos commonly sit on. The delivery on ‘Flaunt’ and ‘The Fit’ immediately caught my ear, with both finding Mick Jenkins’ practicing restraint in his flow and breath control, at times sounding like he’s winding out of air and then returning to his hooks with gusto. The final two tracks, ‘I’m Convinced’ and ‘Different Scales’ find Mick Jenkins returning to the convictions established in ‘Carefree,’ with ‘Different Scales’ almost possessing a sense of mourning, peering in through the window upon the hypocrisy of those who opt to live disingenuously and take advantage of it, rather than speak and live truth.

In total, Mick Jenkins’ work with The Circus is meaningful for two reasons – it’s a freeing experience on its own, but taken in considering Jenkins’ past efforts it shows a growth in mind, penmanship, and control. The decision to keep this album as short as it is is fully intended – there’s so much to unpack in this album and at only 19 minutes, it’s well worth multiple listens.

Words by Luke Deitz.

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Jenkins is a Hip Hop artist out of Chicago, IL who is part of a culture called Free Nation which promotes “creative thought without accepting the narrow view imposed by the powers that be.” With his most recent singles sassy, and positive lyrics that ooze with flirtation it is easy to see how Jenkins stands out in the contemporary Hip Hop scene.

‘Pressed for time’ has over 180,000 plays on SoundCloud and is creating quite a stir. Its hard not to like with a voice like velvet, and swift flow. Jenkins’s words are sassy but sensual as he describes attraction as “enthralling” and “entranced”. With declarations like, “I know what I want” this sweet talk is something I could cuddle up to. Goldlink’s featured verse is crafted with an energetic flow, that’s as plucky as the lyrics that flare out.

This track’s chic beat sets a seductive tone for each artist’s verses. The break down in the last quarter allows the listener to relish the lingering flavors of the song. If there is a song you want to both be seduced to and boogey a bit, this is it.

Check it all out below. If you really can’t get enough check out where Mick Jenkins will be on his tour click here. 

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