Brian Josephs goes to church like Mase.
The past month has been a great time for the Young Thug enthusiasts, especially those who still feel the need to defend him in 2015. You have “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times),” a polychromatic solar flare of a song that transmits Young Thug’s eccentricity through the Caribbean. As of May 20, that’s reason No. 1. Reason No. 2 is Barter 6, a solid commercial distillation of the Thuggerverse. “That’s All” is third, but not a distant third.
The Goose-produced track pulls with its tropical beat and maintains curiosity with its multitudes. It’s self-deprecating (“Bitch I know I’m a monster, I know I’m a little ugly”) and features cathartic two-steppin’ and hook-laden celebration. On one hand, it’s what you’ve come to expect from Young Thug: turning empty space into the place like he was Sun Ra. He carries the beat with him to other planets, creating his own internal syncopation with warped staccato, soaring off on sunny steel-drum percussion. You’re not going to Jeffrey Williams for lyrical revelations. As another great comic once said, “this is a celebration, bitches.” And that’s fine. Young Thug’s charm is how he makes familiar vices seem new. You don’t have to live his lifestyle for it to make you appreciate your own a little bit more. Summer is almost here. Long live Thugger.
