a comprehensive GSP review

CONVERSATIONS WITH MY WIFE

SAR: Conversations With My Wife is a genuine, sweet, romantic bop! The fun production put into this song with the cool beat and bass that is prevalent during the song, it’s hard not to at least tap your foot to this song. I give this first song a nice 10/10

LILLI: Conversations With My Wife is an amazing song. I think it is a perfect first track, I love the bass and beat throughout the whole thing, and you can hear the love in it. The lyrics though, are extremely repetitive, which honestly works with the song. I would rate this song a 9.5/10

EM: Conversations With My Wife is the absolute best way to kick off this album. The beat, lyrics, and bass all work together to make a song that anyone can sing and dance to, which draws them to continue to listen to the rest of the album. Overall i would rate this song a 10/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 9.8

JT

SAR: Yet another fun bop! JT explores so many cool beats, from clapping, to what even sounds like a cow bell! The production on this song is done so well, the song plays so smoothly it’s hard not to sway to. I give it an absolute 10/10. Definitely not biased.

LILLI: I can’t not groove to this song. The chorus is easy to sing along to (or yell along to if you’re me.) The mixture of so many different instruments works so well and it is an amazing example of Jon Bellion's work, and I think the choir brings the whole song together in the most perfect way. JT gets a 10/10 from me!

EM: JT is another song that you can’t just sit down and listen to. Now matter where this song will always make you want to get up and dance and yell the lyrics. The production and use of other singers and instruments mixes well to make a incredibly upbeat and danceable song. This also gets a 10/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 10/10

LET’S BEGIN (ft. Roc Marciano, RZA, B. Keyz, Travis Mendes)

SAR: Let’s Begin, shall we? Catch that pun? Anyways, the soft violins in the beginning definitely hides the fact that this song goes hard. The collaboration with Roc Marciano, RZA, B. Keys, and Travis Mendes is always good to hear. Jon’s rapping on this track is hard hitting and truthful to the core. The subtle continuous beat is practically intoxicating, working perfectly for all the artists on this track. Would definitely give this a 9.8/10

LILLI: Personally, this is my least favorite song on Glory Sound Prep, but I have many good things to say about it. First of all, the violins in the beginning are gorgeous. I love the simplicity of the beats over Jon’s verse. I am not the biggest fan, of the ending, but the sampling of the “oh my god” meme honestly makes me love it. This track gets a solid 7/10 from me.

EM: Compared to JT, Let’s Begin is the song that at first, you have to sit down and listen to carefully before being able to really understand the lyrics. The beat contrasts with the intense lyrics and execution of the lyrics in order to build an amazing song. I would give this a 9/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 8.6

STUPID DEEP

SAR: This song seems to get me every time. The lyrics are raw and powerful, the tones so mellow. An absolutely stunning song. The interesting choice of vocals and instruments on this song could make anyone sway back and forth to this sweet song. A big 10/10 for this one.

LILLI: I don’t think I will ever get over how incredible this record is. The first time I listened to Stupid Deep I knew it would be my favorite on the album, and I turned out to be right. The piano is exhilarating, and I don’t know what the whistle sounding sound is, but it brings the entire piece together. I can’t help but think about how much more amazing it will be when he brings it to the live stage. The lyrics are hard hitting and again, you can hear the love in his voice. My favorite song on the album gets a 14/10, it is flawless.

EM: Stupid Deep was my favorite as a single and still is (one) of my favorites after hearing the rest of the album. The simplicity and peacefulness of the music makes way for the powerful and lyrics that can’t help but leave you wanting more from the song. The end closes the song perfectly and makes you want to keep pressing repeat on it. I would give this song a 10/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 11/10

THE INTERNET

SAR: This song is so real. The beat could make me bop my head even on a bad day. But really, Jon easily depicts what society really cares about which is Social Media presence and what you claim to have. The instrumental choice for this song is also intoxicating, with the trumpets, and build-up at the end, this song is a true bop. A good 9/10 for this one!

LILLI: The Internet is so smooth and honestly I can't think of a better word other than groovy. It is such a fun song with the happy trumpets and quick beat. Hidden underneath the fast paced beats are some deep lyrics about social media presence and fame. He talks about happiness (or the lack of it) and is completely honest. This receives a 9/10!

EM: The Internet made my jaw drop the first time I heard it. The upbeat tune balances out the deeper lyrics and forms a song that anyone can like. This is the type of song that would be so amazing live and the crowd would go crazy. This one gets a 9.5/10!!

AVERAGE SCORE: 9.1/10

BLU

SAR: Blu is such an interesting song. From an upbeat verse, to a soft slow chorus, it keeps you on the edge of yourself to see what Jon will do next in this song musically. His vocals on this are so smooth, the way the words roll off his tongue so softly and easily could make anyone’s heart ache. A big 10/10 for this one as well.

LILLI: This song is another favorite (I know I say that about pretty much every track but its the truth.) The upbeat verses combined with the slow, soft chorus made me fall in love almost immediately. It is overall a strangely soothing song and the lyrics are beautiful. She gets a 9.8/10.

EM: Blu has a range of styles throughout the song. The quicker upbeat verses and the softer chorus that makes you really listen to it. Again, this song would be amazing live especially with stage lighting incorporated into it! I’d give this one a 9/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 9.6/10

ADULT SWIM (ft. Tuamie)

SAR: This song is such a complex one, starting with a radio static into Jon’s verse, switching things into a steady hard beat. The radio station then begins again, switching into a welcome to Glory Sound Prep as Jon continues to practically spit fire. The beat is so intoxicating you could easily find a good rhythm to dance to. Jon didn’t play around on this track either. Solid 10/10.

LILLI: First thing I’ll say about Adult Swim… THIS SONG GOES SO HARD! The speaking in the beginning almost sets up a story, and the “welcome to Glory Sound Prep” GOT ME. I don’t know how, but Jon continuously smashes his verses like its nothing. The lyrics are also subtly hard hitting, talking about dementia and his family. I can’t even begin to think of how great this will be live. 10/10 amazing song.

EM: The beginning of Adult Swim really draws you in because it’s different from the other songs. The lyrics really make you think and recognize the meaning behind it. The way Jon puts his messages into his songs will always amaze me. I give this one a 10/10.

AVERAGE SCORE: 10/10

COUPLES RETREAT

SAR: Another sweet love song from Jon on this album. Singing about making up after a fight, he keeps the lyrics simple and sweet as he serenades the one he loves. The beat in the chorus, and soft singing really brings out a softer side that is needed for this type of song. This one gets a 9/10!

LILLI: You can tell Jon is truly in love by how many love songs are on this album. Couples Retreat is another smooth song that you can truly just dance to. The lyrics are simple but also very sweet. This song gives me While You Count Sheep vibes from his album The Separation. 10/10 I love.

EM: Couples Retreat is another one of my favorites. The sweetness and almost simplicity really draws listeners in and makes them want to dance. The softer tone of lyrics mixed with the beat makes it and song that would be perfect live. 10/10 again!

AVERAGE SCORE: 9.6

CAUTIONARY TALES

SAR: This song is an absolute banger. The guitar chords are absolutely intoxicating, Jon’s verse coming in so smoothly. Declaring he is a king and a legend was absolutely right, this song proves it. The lyrics are powerful, as is the entire concept of the song. The vocals on the track are also wonderful, every note and run was done to perfection. This song gets an absolute 11/10.

LILLI: This song is one of the less talked about on the album. It is SO underrated, the guitar in the background gives me Guillotine vibes. I absolutely love the beats throughout the whole song, but especially the chorus. The bridge is my favorite part though, the piano is so perfect in this part, and the backing vocals bring it all together. 10/10

EM: Cautionary Tales, easily another of my favorites. The guitar is almost jazzy and definitely reflects beyond to Jon’s older music too. Everything is incorporated perfectly and there’s no divides between the different parts of the song. Another 10/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 10.3/10

MAH’S JOINT (ft. Quincy Jones)

SAR: Sadly, the last song on this wonderful album, and a wonderful closer. The mellow mood of this song can make your heart ache whether you’re able to relate to the family situation Jon describes in this song. The soft brass instruments and strings in this song tie it all together. The ending of fun singing and the instruments piling on, leaves this song on a good not. Really leaving this song at a good 10/10.

LILLI: Mahs Joint acts as the outro of the album, and it is an incredible and hard hitting record. It is 8 minutes of absolute joy and shows how talented Jon and Beautiful Mind truly are. The beginning is very simple, but the lyrics are so powerful. The situation he is describing in this song show up in other tracks also. I am so in love with the first trumpets that come in right after his verses, they truly do sound like heaven. The last 6 or so minutes of the song is jazzy and an extraordinary note to leave on. 11/10

EM: Jon always has really strong songs to end his albums and Mah’s Joint definitely is one of them. The deep message of this song really hits as you listen and only makes you want to listen more. The length also amazes me because the entirety of the 8 minutes is so full and makes it not seem the length because it’s always doing something. The lyrical and musical aspects really ends the amazing album with a bang and only leaves me wanting more. I'm giving this one a 10/10!

AVERAGE SCORE: 10.3/10

SAR’S OVERALL AVERAGE: 9.8/10

LILLI’S OVERALL AVERAGE: 10/10

EM’S OVERALL AVERAGE: 9.7/10

GSP OVERALL AVERAGE: 9.8/10

[graphic: jade trazo]