It’s likely that someone in your circle is a devoted Larry June fan. While he may not dominate the Billboard charts, he has comfortably carved out a niche as a laid-back, health-conscious, get-money-and-better-yourself rapper—a role previously occupied by artists like Curren$y and Dom Kennedy. Each new Larry June track evokes images of that Instagram friend incessantly boasting about their water intake or the coworker dedicated to Trader Joe’s frozen meals. June’s music caters to rap fans who believe they’re on a higher spiritual level, and this formula proves successful. His latest album, “The Night Shift,” a collaboration with producer Cardo Got Wings, adheres to this formula, showcasing the power of consistency.
Larry June distinguishes himself in the braggadocious rap landscape by packaging his boasts uniquely. Unlike rappers who might motivate through embarrassment, June makes a luxurious lifestyle sound so appealing that you might find yourself motivated to send out a few extra job applications. He doesn’t focus on others being broke or lament opponents; instead, he effortlessly draws you into his world through penthouse imagery, organic smoothies, beautiful women, and biking through the sunny hills of San Francisco. June’s calls for fitness and “green juice” consumption sound seductive, as if he’s inviting you to join a genuinely healthy cult.
This carefully cultivated image has developed over his decade-plus career in the rap industry. While always talented, Larry June’s early projects in the early 2010s sounded like the work of a different artist. By 2015, he began crafting his standalone ethos as rap’s resident life coach, solidifying it with the single “Came A Long Way.” In 2019, he embarked on a prolific run, releasing multiple projects that were consistent and filled with iconic ad libs. His formula found success, and “The Night Shift” is another testament to its effectiveness.
On this album, Larry June, in collaboration with Cardo Got Wings, introduces enough new elements to keep his sound interesting. He maintains his themes of women, biking, and smoothies but adds extra monetary flourishes. The Night Shift serves as evidence that Larry June’s tried-and-true formula works. The album showcases an evolution from old school Beamers to McLarens, limos to private jets, and Kenzo sweaters to Celine pants.
A significant part of the album’s uniqueness lies in Cardo Got Wings’ production. While maintaining his signature G-Funk inspired basslines, sober drums, and piercing snares, Cardo introduces deeper and darker grooves on The Night Shift. The beats take on textured melodies with the atmospheric quality of a smoked-out jazz lounge, transitioning from the usual yellows and oranges to purples and blues. Features from artists like DeJ Loaf and Blxst enhance the album, seamlessly blending laid-back raps with R&B talent.Larry June excels when sticking to his reliable recipe, adding a few new concepts with each successive project. “The Night Shift” continues Larry June’s growth and evolution as an artist, even if it’s incremental.
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