4:21... The Day After

Method Man’s best solo creation so far

One of the brightest member of Wu-Tang Clan and a favorite of the audience Method Man has been long accepted as a self-sufficient artist and also actor. Among his numerous solo albums many remember the 1994 debut Tical and Blackout of 1999, the record made together with his friend and counterpart in most spheres Redman. Having worked quite successfully as part of a team, Method Man has rarely managed to reveal himself as a solo artist capable to make a completely flawless album. This year, however, his fans can be happy for he has at last made what they have been expecting so long. The new record 4:21... The Day After returns to Method Man the fame of a talented artist, having reached the lucky balance between his famous one-shot killing rhymes and the sonic filling out refined with audio effects. Several collaborations help emphasize the rapper’s husky voice and specific pronunciation, and as always Redman could not have been absent in working on the album. Among other guests it is worth while mentioning Lauryn Hill, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and ODB, whose verses are introduced posthumously and processed in the studio. Method Man’s best solo creation so far, the new album leaves many hip-hop works far behind.

4:21... The Day After pleases with the variety of voices

Among the album’s 20 tracks there are both good and average, but even the latter witness an obvious progress in the rapper’s feeling of the sound. On the opening Intro Method Man is talking of marijuana legalization in an absolutely serious way, and the first track Is It Me produced by Scott Storch is filled with venom, but sounds unusually light. Here is a very pleasant surprise for Wu-Tang Clan’s fans: Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB)’s posthumous cameo on powerful song Dirty Mef, the appearance of Inspectah Dec and Streetlife on the track Everything and unusual track The Glide featuring Raekwon all demonstrate that Wu-Tang’s members still remember their common past and can again work together to a great effect. On the album’s most conceptual composition Say we find Method Man, performing folk and raggae influenced music with Laurin Hill, and the song’s more emotional and moving unlike the the album’s generally negative mood. Redman refines with his presence one of the album’s standouts Walk On, it offers a classic loud rap, that has been always these two artists’ ace. The significant part of the tracks has been produced by RZA including another noticeable song Presidential M. C.on which he also introduces a verse from himself. Ending on a promising composition 4 Ever, 4:21... The Day After pleases with the variety of voices among which however there is always distinguished Method Man’s one.

Method Man’s full potential is finally open

The album owns its name to the national weed smoking day which is on April 20, and on the next day there comes a moment of clarity. Hence the main themes on 4:21... The Day After are drugs and claiming the right for everybody to do what one likes. Mentioning some departed rapper’s pers in his songs and using ODB’s recordings, the rapper turns to the topic of death as well, informing the listeners about his intention to stay alive and also giving a couple of hints that he is not afraid if the same destiny is prepared for him either. On the whole, many fans can note that Method Man’s lyrics have become even tougher, full of aggression and firmness, but nevertheless they combine well with the production and at some moments even outshine it. After listening to the album it can be easily stated that Method Man’s full potential is finally open. The rapper has confirmed his reputation of the lyrical assassin, but added some new points to his rating due to the ability to work with different styles and artists. He has to work hard now to make the next creation as successful as this one and prove the audience and himself that he keeps evolving and can do much more.