Review Summary: God damn oh man oh man god DAMN.
If you're unfamiliar to hip-hop (as I very much was up until a couple months ago), you could be forgiven for not knowing who Lunchmoney Lewis is. As a songwriter and producer, he's done a lot of work for artists behind the scenes, co-writing with the likes of Jessie J and Fifth Harmony. Heck, he's even contributed some vocals as a featured artist on Nicki Minaj's "Trini Dem Girls" on her recent album The Pinkprint. However, with the ascendance of his breakthrough single “Bills” up the charts, Lewis has released an EP of songs in advance of his debut album later this year. In regard to generating hype for that album, how does it do?
For the record, it’s pretty ***ing awesome.
With production and a style that can only bring to mind the best of the Golden Age, Bills EP is a damn fun listen beginning to end. The lead single Bills is the best example of the spirit this record encapsulates. A catchy piano lines plus Lewis’ colorful delivery and relatable lyrics about being in debt is an easy nomination for song of the summer. The trumpets in the bridge are also notable and a good addition.
Miraculously, this does not mean that the main single is the only track of note here. The second track Mama is a nice tribute to Lewis’ mother, which while it can seem a bit too cheesy at times is still a lot of fun and Lewis gives such a likeable presence with lines like “This song is dedicated to my mama/ for helping me to put on my pajamas.” The third track Love Me Back is also relatable, with a balanced mixture of piano and horns and an undeniable energy that is bound to get people off their butts and start singing along. Perhaps the only weaker track on here is the final track Real Thing, which while still being fun and possessing a funky feel to it has lackluster lyrics about Lewis stealing someone’s girlfriend. If not taken seriously (which you really shouldn’t do for any of these songs, this guy is such a huggable clown) then this song is harmless, and it’s still doesn’t harm the quality of this release in general.
Overall, every song here works, and if his eventual full-length album manages to deliver on the promise of this EP, then Lewis might have an easier time paying all dem’ bills.
Recommended:
The whole damn thing.
