Chiddy Bang’s ‘Saved by the Swell’ A Musical Rehabilitation Still in Progress

In the opening scenes of Kill Bill Vol. 1, Beatrix Kiddo, the formidable assassin known as Black Mamba, undergoes an intense self-rehabilitation process after a prolonged coma. Similarly, Chiddy Bang, making a comeback to rap after a decade hiatus, seems to be wiggling his big toe, trying to reclaim his former glory. However, his latest project, “Saved by the Swell,” suggests that the journey to musical resurgence is still a work in progress.Lasting 54 minutes, “Saved by the Swell” follows Chiddy’s recent trend of shifting from Skittles-tinged soundscapes to ambient soul. While the beats are cool, and Chiddy retains moments of quippy charm, the album lacks the magnetic appeal that catapulted him to blog-era stardom over a decade ago.

In this musical revival, Chiddy showcases a more deliberate and measured approach, incorporating tidy rhyme schemes and offering new perspectives on his position in a changed world. The album reflects his adaptation to the streaming era, acknowledging the evolution of the music industry: “They say I went the route scenic, and it switched up, now this shit is about streamage.” However, despite Chiddy’s ability to deliver sharp rhymes, there’s a sense that he’s adapting to a past era rather than carving a unique space for himself in 2023. Tracks like “How Quick Do They Forget?” and “I Still Remember” fall into a generic sound, reminiscent of outdated punchlines and uninspired beats. References to a 2008 single in the lyrics highlight a struggle to escape the gravitational pull of the past.

Saved by the Swell shares its shortcomings with Chiddy’s two previous projects, lacking the individuality that defined his earlier work. When Chiddy Bang was a group collaborating with producer Xaphoon Jones, their songs featured Technicolor pop samples that exuded carefree adventures and youthful sincerity. Without those distinctive elements, Chiddy Bang loses its identity. While it’s evident that people grow and evolve, the attempt at maturity on “Saved by the Swell” falls short. The album, with its mix of soulful loops and uninspired club tracks, feels unfocused and cumbersome. Chiddy Bang may be out of a musical coma and retraining his creative muscles, but there’s still work to be done before he fully returns to the innovative creator he once was.