Camp
Childish Gambino
Glassnote
Childish Gambino’s first studio realease, Camp, leaves a lot to be desired.
Although there were high hopes for actor turned rapper Donald Glover’s first full-length release, it was unimpressive. The angst-filled tone is unconvincing, and the rhymes are adolescent. Listeners may find it tough to take his laments seriously, unless they’re a part of his targeted appeal.
The applied backtracks are heavily synth-pop and make for a pseudo club-friendly album. It’s soft, but may find a niche in modern, young crowds. The melodies and choruses aren’t insufferable, but they lack impact.
Glover’s rhymes are well written and comfortably spoken, but they lack a point of climax. Although the rhymes are coherent and connected, the mediocrity is evident. Gambino brings consistency but lacks the hard-hitting appeal of fellow American rappers Freeway or Ill Bill. While Glover is smooth, he doesn’t shock, nor does he instill awe.
In spite of these flaws, the album has a great flow. The release has a great cadence and pull to it, flowing well from start to finish. Although harder content would have been more desirable, Gambino’s rhymes unroll like waves. The rhythmic flow is mantric and hypnotic, jogging the brain to keep count.
Gambino may not have the raw flavour of some of his contemporaries, but he’s carving his own corner. It will be interesting to see how Gambino’s future releases will sound in comparison to Camp. There’s no doubt he has talent and the drive to market his own niche, to the likes of Toronto rapper Drake.
Gambino’s album is still worth a listen, despite its discrepancies, and credit should be given where its due.
Album criticism aside, it’s evident that Gambino could be branching out into production later in his career. If he finds success with a young market, albeit one that relentlessly recycles itself, he should be set. Pop-production is big money, despite its incessant overplay of popular tracks.
Overall, Camp is an average start to Gambino’s studio career. The work isn’t deplorable, but it’s nothing to slap a gold star across. His exploitations are often laughable and quite hard to take seriously. With rhymes that are tepid, Camp fails to excite.
At 28 years old, one would expect more advanced material from Gambino. Maybe things will be different in half a decade.