Brockhampton Finds their Sound

RATING: 3/5

This past month, boy band, Brockhampton released their 6th studio album, Ginger. This is the group’s second album since ending the Saturation series, and it has a different vibe from that of the Saturation trilogy as well as their album last fall, Iridescence. The Saturation trilogy is full of energy, and witty lines but it lacks emotional sustenance in comparison to Ginger. Iridescence went for something similar to the Saturation albums but ended up being quite awkward, as the band was trying to find their sound again, after losing one of the most prominent members. Ginger is a transformative album for Brockhampton, showing their growth as emotional beings while remaining true to the Brockhampton sound with quick beats, chaotic energy, and quick-witted lyrics.

As someone who was not a fan of Brockhampton’s last album, Iridescence, I did not have high expectations for Ginger and because of this, it took me a little while to listen to the singles. Despite this, Ginger did take me by surprise, rather than having a focus on the quick beats, and loud lyrics, the focus is shifted to put light more directly on the content of the lyrics with vocals that seem more sonically isolated than in past albums. Despite this, the album is still full of fun beats, some 90’s R&B vibes, and fun, intensely whispered verses.

Ginger begins with the track, “NO HALO,” lyrically the song is quite sad, revolving around ideas of confusion about life, depression, and most of all trying to find “it” which seems to be a reason why. Singer, Merlyn Wood questioning if he matters, Dom McLennon sharing places that depression has taken him, Joba wondering who he is, and the list goes on. “NO HALO” is an easy listen which makes it a nice opener for the album and it does a great job of giving the listener an idea of what to expect from the 11 tracks that follow it.

As the album goes the band offers tracks that could have easily been on any other Brockhampton album: “BOY BYE,” “SUGAR,” “ST PERCY,” “BIG BOY,” and “I BEEN BORN AGAIN,” just to name a few. While these tracks do sound familiar, as previously mentioned, the lyrics go much deeper in these songs: lots of religious references, mentions of depression, and confusion on what to do in life (just like the opening track). These complex overlaps of depression, confusion and religion are an interesting but not surprising combination of subjects. “HEAVEN BELONGS TO YOU,” “IF YOU PRAY RIGHT,” and “DEARLY DEPARTED” are not the first songs in which Brockhampton has made religious references but this is the first time its been this extensive. “IF YOU PRAY RIGHT” references a variety of different religions including: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc., maybe this is a representation of the member’s efforts to turn to any god for help with their issues in life. This could tie to the societal confusion around which religion is right and how exactly we all should pray.

Aside from the more sombering and confusing issues addressed in the album, there is also this underlying message about self-love and leaning on your friends for help. The songs that surprised me most on this album were “DEARLY DEPARTED,” and “VICTOR ROBERTS.” These tracks veer a lot from the high energy dance music and witty sex and drug related references I expect from Brockhampton. They display the most growth in comparison to the other tracks. Listening to these songs made me feel reflective of the sad things that happen in our lives and how we deal with those things. “VICTOR ROBERTS” closes out the album, reciting a tough life experience, thanking God for an endless list of things, and offering love to those who need it. Through the album there is a progression from “NO HALO” to “VICTOR ROBERTS” of being unsure about life, especially things surrounding religion and it ends with thanks to God.