The album is becoming a more and more diverse medium it seems with every passing year. When Drake’s “More Life” dropped and was advertised as a “playlist” some were worried that the album would eventually become obsolete sooner rather than later. I’m of the school of thought that albums will never die. I bring all this up because Cincinnati’s Devin Burgess approach to his album “Trash” is creative in an age where some are worried about albums having too many tracks in favor of streaming numbers.
By creative I mean that from the jump Devin Burgess, extending all the way out to his marketing campaign was unique. The album is called “Trash” which is just….why? But it works, the second you turn on this record you’re in for anything but trash. Devin Burgess has come out and said that “Trash” is more of compilation record of tracks that didn’t necessarily fit a particular project or theme he had in mind. However through loose themes of love and triumph, “Trash” still ends up being a cohesive piece of work.
Every type of track can be found on here but its Devin Burgess’ lyrical acrobatics and ability to mesh with any production that stops this from feeling like just another tape of throwaways. From the heavenly, beaming opener in “Sundaze” to the banger of a single in “Bounce Back” Devin Burgess can fill any lane and do it with precise execution. Devin Burgess even gives us a few anthems and deeper cuts to listen to in “Great” & “Prosper”. Again all of these tracks may be joints that didn’t make an album but put together “Trash” plays like an almost perfect compilation album.
I mentioned at the beginning of this that the loose theme of love is heard throughout this album and it’s honestly my favorite aspect of this project. In “Sundaze” Burgess mentions this love interest/relationship that fell apart, but it’s in tracks like “Drive” that help us relate to Burgess. “Drive” is an intense track and I strongly encourage you to close your eyes and really immerse yourself into the trippy production and heartfelt lyrics from our hero. “Amy & Anita” further fleshes out this pain “Love is f*cking blind/I’m blasting Amy in my house, while sipping wine/Frankly going crazy over one who isn’t mine but I gave her all my time” opens the track. If that doesn’t hit you right in the chest I don’t know what will.
“Trash” is a compilation album done right, every track on this resonates with me. Burgess rips beats, gives us a piece of his life and remains consistent throughout. The one aspect of the album I didn’t mention, this is more or less a coming out party for Cincinnati and Ohio emcees. The album is chock full of guest appearances that add different angles to what Burgess is spitting while he remains the star. There a plenty of killer verses to get attached to and jump into the rabbit hole that is Ohio hip-hop. If these tracks are “Trash” who knows what Devin Burgess has in his back pocket…