For his sixth full-length, American rapper Danny Brown delivers a highly personal experience that demonstrates his total mastery of his art. Quaranta is as much a lyrical reflection on the passage of time as it is on the contemporary state of Rhythm And Poetry.
In terms of energy, we’re a hundred leagues away from Atrocity Exhibition (2016), which was a veritable demonstration of virtuoso speed on the mic. Brown has slowed the pace considerably, giving way to a breathy vocal flow that accelerates only when dramatic effect demands it. The background vocal pulses are still present, albeit more moderately than on uknowhatimsayin¿ (2019). This direction allows, from the first listen, to take the pulse of the commentary-rich texts that run through Quaranta. Recorded and released at the dawn of its author’s forties, the album recalls Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers (2022) with its repentant, self-critical tone. Of course, Danny Brown can’t be reduced to such a comparison, given his unique style and vocal timbre, traits that shine through here.
And let’s not forget the production, which draws on a wide range of sound worlds to make the tracks flow. Some tracks feature instrumental loops drawn from the rock repertoire, while others are more electronic. Tracks such as “Down Wit It” and “Celibate” take us straight back to the 1990s, with hushed vintage samples contributing to the nostalgic feel of the record.
With just 34 minutes of playing time and fairly short tracks, the album is certainly not the artist’s most ambitious. Quaranta nevertheless has the potential to be a milestone in Brown’s career, raising questions about the rapper’s musical direction for the future.
