Leaks are not for me anymore. I do not browse the sites and download twenty leaked singles a day like years ago. I tell myself I do not have the time for it and I have grown past that. With that being said, I have only heard maybe two of these songs on this album in “What It Look Like” and “Fast Cars, Faster Women”. I have not heard them many times either but I remembers running across them. But this track list intrigues me. It makes me think Curren$y wants to go from filling vast night clubs to arena status. It makes me think the Jet can land on the moon with this one. But where does The Stoned Immaculate land on my list really?
1. What It Look Like
Featuring Wale; Produced by Bink!
This is not the traditional introduction to an album. Yes, it is smooth as we often expect from Curren$y but it feels more like Wale’s track. The DMV representer controls the first verse, ad libs and chorus. It was considerate for Wale to mention Curren$y in his first verse but I came to Stoned Immaculate to hear the Spitta himself. Instead, I got a brief stock Curren$y verse with Wale making the track what it is. The track is great and pleasant on the ears but we can only thank Curren$y for the beat selection really. Wale really did the rest.
2. Privacy Glass
Produced by Rashad Thomas
Here goes Curren$y on “Privacy Glass.” He loves this harp sound. Jeff Majors must be on his Pandora. The New Orleaner coasts across the beat speak on times with “baby girl” and him being professionally driven nowadays. He is on star status now. The song puts you in the back of a limousine to sipping champagne wondering where to next.
3. Armoire
Featuring Trademark Da Skydiver & Young Roddy; Produced by Monsta Beatz
This was the strategic play by Curren$y. He brought part of his team in subtlety on a monstrous record. “Armoire” is monstrous because Monsta Beatz produced another banger. Trademark and Young Roddy might not have a verse but their energy is on the chorus. Curren$y does what he does and gives his fans the common consistency. Either you like it or you want him to stop saying “el” every five seconds.
4. Take You There
Featuring Marsha Ambrosius; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
I had high hopes for this song when looking at it on the track list. I thought this one would knock me right off my feet. When I heard J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League at the start, it built even more excitement like a small school kid. My feet stayed on the ground after listening to “Take You There” though. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League’s production overshadowed Ms. Ambrosius voice on the chorus and you cannot hear her too clearly. The chorus is real busy altogether with her singing the lead, her singing in the background, and Curren$y mumbling in the background of the background. The engineer might be the person to blame for this one. Whoever it was, my bubble burst quickly.
5. Showroom
Produced by Cardo
Curren$y stepped out of his comfort zone for a moment with “Showroom.” He speaks about his new found fame creating “frienemies” and distancing from his family. The fame has become a common topic on this album. This is a topic you thought you would never hear from Curren$y. But obviously that new deal has changed his life and music a tad. It is not as drastic as his no-blunt brother Wiz Khalifa’s debut album though. We are not going to get into that though.
6. Capitol
Featuring 2 Chainz; Produced by The Innovatorz
2 Chainz must have chosen this beat but Curren$y adjusts. It is a little up tempo but not too crazy. 2 Chainz is the hottest rapper in the game right now (Rather you like it or not). But he does not over power this track. Mr. 2 Necklaces does his verse and then Curren$y takes control to make a good track to ride out to.
7. No Squares
Featuring Wiz Khalifa; Produced by The Futuristiks
How Fly 2 is on its way!!! Okay, not really but Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y reunite for a track. The production is more powerful than what the song becomes. The chemistry is not there and they are not on the same roll. They might have not really reunited for this one. It sounds more like Wiz Khalifa just Gmailed his verse over which is actually a good guest spot for him. It is too bad that the chorus becomes too repetitive and gets annoying quick.
8. Sunroof
Featuring Corner Boy Q; Produced by Monsta Beatz
I wish I could freestyle so I could destroy this beat. I wish Corner Boy P provided a better verse too for Curren$y. Young Roddy, Trademark or even Sun N.Y. would have suited this track better. The track is still impressive because of the production. You just have to fight through Corner Boy Q’s verse.
9. Chasin’ Paper
Featuring Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
I know Pharrell is a little old when it comes to rap years. But he is well informed and should know the world is over Auto-Tune. He might have lost touch with him doing music for Despicable Me and all. But the world is over the Auto-Tune gimmick; T-Pain is not selling for a reason. “Chasin’ Paper” sounded like a good idea at first but disappoints.
10. That’s The Thing
Featuring Estelle; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
You never heard this side of Curren$y before if the lyrics are true or not, you will have to decide that one yourself. Curren$y lets us know that he is ready to settle down with a woman. Estelle and Da Hot Spitta fits together perfectly to create harmony. Let us just hope this relationship does not deteriorate like Rick Ross and Chrisette Michelle. This is by far my favorite track on the album.
11. Chandelier
Produced by Tone P
Curren$y uses his art of storytelling for this one. It is similar to how he did on one of his best tracks to date “She Don’t Want a Man”. If it is not broke, you do not fix it. Applauds are given to the producer for bringing down the complexity of the beat when needed and let Curren$y come through clearly.
12. Fast Cars, Faster Women
Featuring & Produced by Daz Dillinger
This is a weird pairing with Curren$y and Daz from Tha Dogg Pound. If he was going to borrow from the West Coast, I rather it been Dom Kennedy. However, Daz actually makes the track enjoyable and surprises all. Curren$y obviously knows where to place talent.
13. Jet Life
Featuring Big K.R.I.T. & Wiz Khalifa; Produced by Big K.R.I.T.
The resurrection of the Glasshouse team breaks barriers with this one.
Bottom Line:
Curren$y’s albums usually have to grow on me. I did not like Pilot Talk 2 after a few listens because of the short and simplicity of the tracks. But then I got used to it and realized that is all I needed. Appetizers are good as long as they are fulfilling. With Stoned Immaculate, you get a full course meal with Curren$y speaking on a few different subjects and stepping out his box Chevy. A couple gems and a few duds. But overall, you still get Curren$y da Hot Spitta.
