Space Bar

Album review

Your Old Droog capped a prolific 2021 with Space Bar, his fourth full-length of the year (including two collaborations with Tha God Fahim). While the outstanding TIME mixed captivating storytelling with deeply autobiographical verses, Space Bar seems more focused on comedic trash talk. Naming many of the songs after adult beverages, and bookending the album with interludes revolving around the theme of a cosmic saloon, Droog's lyrics are filled with sharp punchlines and brutal put-downs, backed up with well-timed ad-libs. He dips into playful sex rhymes with the saucy "White Russian," then does an about-face with the morbid drug tale "Bloody Mary." At the center of it all is the towering "Meteor Man," a bleak, stone-cold stunner with powerful guest verses from Lil Ugly Mane (back to rapping after his surprise left turn into sampladelic alt-rock) and billy woods. The rest of the album is far more laid-back and casual, but there are still plenty of zingers throughout the smooth grooves of "Mojito" and "Blue Hawaiian." "Dom Perignon" is celebratory, yet it also reflects on those who are no longer with us. YOD's effortless flow and clever rhymes are addictive, and Space Bar is an easily enjoyable effort.

© Paul Simpson /TiVo