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A$AP Rocky|TESTING

TESTING

A$AP Rocky

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While his endless charisma and effortlessly confident delivery were the hallmarks of Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky's chart-topping songs, there were hints of budding experimentation even in his earliest tracks. Songs defined by murky, narcotic production choices showed up alongside the most by-the-numbers club bangers on 2013 debut LONG.LIVE.A$AP and its reflective 2015 follow-up, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, had moments that bordered on dream pop. Third album Testing pushes A$AP's experimental impulses to the forefront, expanding his boundary-pushing tendencies into the album's mission statement. There's an immediate feeling of creative abandon in the swell of subsonic bass that opens the record and leads into the messy, swimming "Distorted Records." Fragmented vocal samples, quick left-turns mid-song, and barely contained tape echo show up over and over again. This can be as subtle as the dub-like delays on lead single "A$AP Forever" or as extreme as the Kodak Black-assisted "CALLDROPS." Built on a looping sample of obscure acid folk artist Dave Bixby, the mellow, beatless meditation is more a distant sound collage than anything you'd hear on a mainstream rap record. "Gunz N Butter," featuring Juicy J, meets somewhere in the middle of unfettered experimentation and predictable hip-hop production, with A$AP delivering metered verses between disjointed vocal samples and randomly placed gunshot sound effects. Testing often feels like an uneasy dream, and this feeling is added to by the sometimes awkward sway toward more personal lyrical content. On "OG Beeper," nostalgic remembrances of troubled younger days are buried beneath an anxious beat, and the warped and woozy "Kids Turned Out Fine" inverts this perspective, looking at the troubles of the next generation. "Changes" melts in and out of cloudy, overblown musical segments and clearly spoken sections inspecting rejection, insecurity, and depression with a startling level of vulnerability. While in some ways Testing is more musical than anything we've heard from A$AP Rocky before, it's also more confused, with ideas and musical shifts colliding at times to the point of randomness. The album title itself refers to testing new sounds and pushing in new directions in hopes of growth. Like any set of experiments, Testing offers some success, some failure, and some moments that can only be met with a blank stare. Though songs like the gorgeous Frank Ocean collaboration "Purity," or the darkly simmering "Fukk Sleep" featuring FKA Twigs, take risks that push A$AP Rocky to new, exciting territory, some of the experiments that made it onto Testing could have been left bubbling over in the lab rather than weighing down the rest of the album.

© Fred Thomas /TiVo

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TESTING

A$AP Rocky

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1
Distorted Records Explicit
00:02:20

Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Lord Flacko, Producer - Mario Loving, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Nesbitt Wesonga, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Federico "c sik" Lopez, Assistant Engineer - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

2
A$AP Forever REMIX Explicit
00:05:15

Scott Mescudi, Composer, Lyricist - Clifford Harris, Composer, Lyricist - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - T.I., FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Moby, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Kid Cudi, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - RICHARD MELVILLE HALL, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Lord Flacko, Producer - Sam Houselander, Recording Engineer - Barry McCready, Assistant Engineer - Khloe Anna, Background Vocal - Chloe Danquah, Composer, Lyricist - Jordie X, AdditionalStudioProducer - Jordan Xavier Garrett, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Rocky feat. Moby, T.I. & Kid Cudi, AssociatedPerformer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

3
Tony Tone Explicit
00:03:28

Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Sean Combs, Composer, Lyricist - Puff Daddy, Background Vocal - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Roger Webb, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Mule, Composer, Lyricist - Isaac De Boni, Composer, Lyricist - FNZ, Producer - Lord Flacko, Producer - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

4
Fukk Sleep Explicit
00:03:12

Michael Tyler, Composer, Lyricist - Ben Goldwasser, Keyboards - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, Background Vocal - Matthew Samuels, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - ALBERT JOHNSON, Composer, Lyricist - Boi 1da, Producer - Gary Lucas, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - FKA twigs, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - FNZ, Producer - Lord Flacko, Producer - Tahliah Barnett, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Burman, Composer, Lyricist - Federico "c sik" Lopez, Assistant Engineer - A$AP Rocky feat. FKA twigs, AssociatedPerformer - Isaac Deboni (FNZ), Producer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

5
Praise The Lord (Da Shine) Explicit
00:03:25

Skepta, Producer, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Joseph Junior Adenuga, Composer, Lyricist - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta, AssociatedPerformer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

6
CALLDROPS Explicit
00:02:42

Brad Jordan, Composer, Lyricist - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Shelly Manne, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - John Okuribido, Composer, Lyricist - Boys Noize, Producer - Alexander Ridha, Composer, Lyricist - Dave Bixby, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Alex Ridha, Recording Engineer - Dean Blunt, Background Vocal - Lord Flacko, Producer - Ade Odunlami, Composer, Lyricist - Acyde, Background Vocal - Kodak Black, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dieuson Octave, Composer, Lyricist - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - A$AP Rocky feat. Kodak Black, AssociatedPerformer - Hayward Ivy, Composer, Lyricist

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

7
Buck Shots Explicit
00:02:47

Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Playboi Carti, Background Vocal - Smooky MarGielaa, Background Vocal - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - Kelvin Krash, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Background Vocal - Kelvin J N Magnusen, Composer, Lyricist

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

8
Gunz N Butter Explicit
00:03:33

Paul Beauregard, Composer, Lyricist - Jordan Houston, Composer, Lyricist - Patrick Houston, Composer, Lyricist - Juicy J, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, Background Vocal - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Foster, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Dean Blunt, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Ricardo Sosa, Background Vocal - Crazy Mike, Producer - Lord Flacko, Producer - A$AP Rocky feat. Juicy J, AssociatedPerformer - Federico "c sik" Lopez, Assistant Engineer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

9
Brotha Man Explicit
00:03:36

Snoop Dogg, Background Vocal - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - French Montana, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Ocean, Background Vocal - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Rocky feat. French Montana, AssociatedPerformer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

10
OG Beeper Explicit
00:02:35

James Baker, Composer, Lyricist - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - Boys Noize, AdditionalStudioProducer - Alexander Ridha, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Dan Fyfe, Assistant Engineer - Mario Loving, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Nesbitt Wesonga, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Federico "c sik" Lopez, Assistant Engineer - BlocBoy JB, Background Vocal - Hayward Ivy, Composer, Lyricist - Tommy Wright III, Composer, Lyricist

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

11
Kids Turned Out Fine Explicit
00:03:03

Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Lord Flacko, Producer - Sam Houselander, Recording Engineer - Bryan Rogers, Composer, Lyricist - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - Mateo "Teo" Arias, Background Vocal - CharlieMumbles, Producer - Esteban Scott, Composer, Lyricist - Estiee, Producer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

12
Hun43rd Explicit
00:04:02

Tyruss Himes, Composer, Lyricist - Diron Rivers, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Burns, Composer, Lyricist - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Tupac Shakur, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - Devonte Hynes, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - A$AP Mob, Background Vocal - Dan Fyfe, Assistant Engineer - Maurice Shakur, Composer, Lyricist - Federico "c sik" Lopez, Assistant Engineer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

13
Changes Explicit
00:05:14

DJ Khalil, AdditionalStudioProducer - Jim Jonsin, Producer - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Recording Engineer - Tom Elmhirst, Mixing Engineer - James Scheffer, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - Devonte Hynes, Bass - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Mule, Composer, Lyricist - Isaac De Boni, Composer, Lyricist - FNZ, Producer - Lord Flacko, Producer - Daniel Seeff, Guitar, Bass - Michael Burman, Composer, Lyricist, Guitar - Mikey Freedom Hart, Guitar, Keyboards - Gerard A. Powell II, Composer, Lyricist - Nico Marzouka, Recording Engineer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

14
Black Tux, White Collar Explicit
00:02:42

Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer, AdditionalStudioProducer - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Mikky Ekko, Background Vocal - Clams Casino, Producer - Michael Volpe, Composer, Lyricist - Louis Bell, Composer, Lyricist - Lord Flacko, AdditionalStudioProducer - Tank God, Producer - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - Kelvin Krash, AdditionalStudioProducer - Kelvin J N Magnusen, Composer, Lyricist - Olufunmibi Aeoshiley, Composer, Lyricist

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

15
Purity Explicit
00:04:22

Erik Alcock, Guitar - Hector Delgado, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixing Engineer, Recording Engineer - Lauryn Hill, Composer, Lyricist - Tatsuya Sato, Mastering Engineer - Frank Ocean, Composer, Lyricist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - A$AP Rocky, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rakim Mayers, Composer, Lyricist - Michael Mule, Composer, Lyricist - Isaac De Boni, Composer, Lyricist - Dean Blunt, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - FNZ, Producer - Lord Flacko, Producer - Marylebone, Recording Engineer - Billy Cumella, Assistant Engineer - A$AP Rocky feat. Frank Ocean, AssociatedPerformer

(P) 2018 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC/RCA Records

Album review

While his endless charisma and effortlessly confident delivery were the hallmarks of Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky's chart-topping songs, there were hints of budding experimentation even in his earliest tracks. Songs defined by murky, narcotic production choices showed up alongside the most by-the-numbers club bangers on 2013 debut LONG.LIVE.A$AP and its reflective 2015 follow-up, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, had moments that bordered on dream pop. Third album Testing pushes A$AP's experimental impulses to the forefront, expanding his boundary-pushing tendencies into the album's mission statement. There's an immediate feeling of creative abandon in the swell of subsonic bass that opens the record and leads into the messy, swimming "Distorted Records." Fragmented vocal samples, quick left-turns mid-song, and barely contained tape echo show up over and over again. This can be as subtle as the dub-like delays on lead single "A$AP Forever" or as extreme as the Kodak Black-assisted "CALLDROPS." Built on a looping sample of obscure acid folk artist Dave Bixby, the mellow, beatless meditation is more a distant sound collage than anything you'd hear on a mainstream rap record. "Gunz N Butter," featuring Juicy J, meets somewhere in the middle of unfettered experimentation and predictable hip-hop production, with A$AP delivering metered verses between disjointed vocal samples and randomly placed gunshot sound effects. Testing often feels like an uneasy dream, and this feeling is added to by the sometimes awkward sway toward more personal lyrical content. On "OG Beeper," nostalgic remembrances of troubled younger days are buried beneath an anxious beat, and the warped and woozy "Kids Turned Out Fine" inverts this perspective, looking at the troubles of the next generation. "Changes" melts in and out of cloudy, overblown musical segments and clearly spoken sections inspecting rejection, insecurity, and depression with a startling level of vulnerability. While in some ways Testing is more musical than anything we've heard from A$AP Rocky before, it's also more confused, with ideas and musical shifts colliding at times to the point of randomness. The album title itself refers to testing new sounds and pushing in new directions in hopes of growth. Like any set of experiments, Testing offers some success, some failure, and some moments that can only be met with a blank stare. Though songs like the gorgeous Frank Ocean collaboration "Purity," or the darkly simmering "Fukk Sleep" featuring FKA Twigs, take risks that push A$AP Rocky to new, exciting territory, some of the experiments that made it onto Testing could have been left bubbling over in the lab rather than weighing down the rest of the album.

© Fred Thomas /TiVo

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