Album Review: Thundercat – “Drunk”

“Bartender, I’d like two more please.”

Think about it, if you’re over the age of 18, (or maybe younger if you’re a rebellious youngster) then you must have drunk a high quantity of alcohol at one point, or another? Do you remember the times where you mistakenly found yourself in a place you had no idea about? What about that time you decided to ask out that girl/guy while intoxicated on about four different types of vodka?

This is what Thundercat’s new album is about.

“Drunk” is a great album. In fact, it’s so good, that I’ve been blabbering on about it, for about a few weeks straight now on Twitter. However, Thundercat’s latest outing does come packaged with a few flaws – but we’ll talk about that later.

If you like interludes of any sort, you’ve come to the right place. “Drunk” is full of them. Tracks like Captain Stupido, with its frantic pacing and echo-y soundscapes come ‘bar to none’ with what the American musician is capable of. I Am Crazy is another interlude, with attitude, literally lasting around thirty seconds long, which in my opinion is way too short. It deserves a full rendition!

Collaborations-wise, Thundercat has enlisted the help of repeat offenders, Kamasi Washington and Flying Lotus – as well as the likes of Pharrell Williams and the captivating rap god of our time, Kendrick Lamar. The standout on collaborations though, has to be Kenny Loggins and Michael Mcdonald’s appearances on Show You The Way, providing some of the smoothest musical-work of the year so far.

Surprisingly, if you was a fan of Thundercat’s song, Tron Song, he’s managed to squeeze in a short two-parter to that exponential track. It’s even complete with meows and cat noises, what’s not to like about that?

The last point I’d like to touch on, is the inclusion of Them Changes. Although it’s one of Thundercat’s greatest songs, I feel like it shouldn’t need to be included on the album, after having its release on the mini-album, The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam. Slightly nit-picky, but still a great track nevertheless.

You can stream Thundercat’s new album on all good streaming platforms now. Check out the link here if you want to listen to it in full.



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