Lil Yachty - Let's Start Here. ALBUM REVIEW 

psych wock is an insane genre description

Whoever gave Lil Yachty psychedelics, thank you.

"Are you ready for your psych-rock lessons?" Tame Impala gulped. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard nodded. Pink Floyd shuddered. "Yes, Lil Yachty" they said in unison

The genre blends are very impressive

Thank you Anthony, I had been loving this album to death but now I will merely just enjoy it.

This album was such a mindfuck, and i think you kind of nailed it with your description. It’s not merely the fact that Yachty went Psych Rock with this LP that makes it so appealing. It’s that the effort was clearly inspired and came from a place of genuine love for the genre and close attention to detail. This doesn’t feel like Yachty just branching out for the sake of branching out. He WANTED to make this album.

People act like this album needed to be mind-blowingly good for it to be considered a success, but the fact that he can at the very least match his previous work in a genre he has never attempted before is insanely impressive and he deserves mad props for that

Never thought I’d hear Lil Yachty and Pink Floyd crossing over in a conversation but here we are. Gotta love the internet age of music.

Lil Yachty really surprised everybody with this one, didn’t know he had it in him. This was so good to listen to honestly

My jaw genuinely dropped during “WE SAW THE SUN”. I could not fathom that I was listening to that song on a lil yachty album.

I love how dismissive everyone was of Yachty when he first came out. Turns out he is a writer, and a very creative soul. Love this for him.

J.Cole once said “One them kids that’s listening gon grow up, and get too old for that shit that made you blow up”. Yachty took that to heart and then did this. Excited to see what else he can come up with in the future.

i’m honestly shocked the black seminole wasn’t included in favorite tracks, in my opinion it’s the best song on the album

"Psych wock" listed as the genre is a nice touch

the fact that lil yachty somehow made a better rock album this year than some italian rock band that won the eurovision once is insane

One thing I find interesting is how the song “Poland” he released earlier in the year was almost like a testing of the waters with the rapid vibrato vocal sound. Only to have that exact sound be used all over the album. Love love loved it!

I can’t wait for Lil Yachty to be nominated for the grammy for best rap album next year!

I'm at an 8/10, and I'm as surprised as everyone else. I think as time goes on, this will be a nice album to come back to. The variety on here really does make the album feel like such a fun visit. I do agree on the vocals. I wasn't feeling it at all at first but as the songs went on, I loved the production and his voice works in better as the songs go along.

this is the type of music that makes you feel high, without doing drugs. and for that, this is a masterpiece in my book. this was such a smart move for yachty, but also super risky. i love that he ventured out and tried something new and it worked. cant help but feel super proud of him. its only january and i already feel this will be in my top 10 albums of 2023. sheeeesh, refreshing af.

I couldn’t disagree more on prETTy, I think the vocal harmonies made me feel like I was floating. Such a unique sound and I think it worked great.

Lil Yachty came out of nowhere and dropped this album. Like legit every track is ear candy from start to finish. Really stunned how good this came out.

I was never a huge fan of Yachty’s music, but I always loved his personality and was happy for his success. To see someone like him produce an album so far from what I had heard from him prior and have it work is amazing. I personally give it a decent 8, maybe a light 9, it’s just so refreshing to hear a rapper do well in a completely different genre. Proud of him fr

The fact alone that you can tell how inspired and passionate the creation of this album was, puts a massive smile on my face. Fantastic album.

This album is honestly a masterpiece imo

happy this is getting appreciated so much. really cool to see an artist stepping out of their comfort zone like this

So proud of Yachty tbh. I always like to see artists branch out and it’s even cooler when they succeed like this

Yachty did what Gambino did with 70s soul and rnb instead it’s rock. A perfect stylistic transition.

Over the years (and I’m probably not unique in this), my rating of an album has come down to one thing only: Do I spend TIME with the album?? There have been albums that I’ve loved the sound of right away - but then they get boring quick. We’ll see what happens - but I can see myself spending A LOT of time with this album!! It fits with so many moods and moments that I’m in regularly - it’s fun to just get lost in it and just vibe! We’re blessed as a world to get to know Lil Yachty more and more through projects like this 🙏 he’s special!

Incredible left turn in the industry and I really think it hit the mark. Can’t wait for what’s to come in the future.

No yellow flannel breaks my heart

This album is definitely a solid 8/10. It’s a really impressive album

It would be amazing if this group of musicians continued in this style and did an album with a revolving door of singers. All I know is, I haven't been blown away by a surprise like this in a LONG time. I ordered the vinyl after one listen. This album is going to engulf a room and I can't wait to experience it that way. I'm a Gen X alt/indie fan who rushed to buy a Lil Yachty LP. Wild.

yachty dropping an album that has sounds similar to steven wilson and pink floyd as well as other prog bands is a timeline i never thought i would be in

This album is such a fresh breath of air for psych pop/rock

i still can't believe this is a lil yachty project. i always knew him as an artist who killed his features but struggled to shine in his own projects so i never thought i'd be listening to one on release. when the instrumental started on the first track i was stunlocked. it took me one track to get used to his vocals, and listening to the album more, i'm fully used to them and think they compliment every song. on the spoken word track it does sound like he's reading while trying to insert natural voice inflections so it does come off kind of unconvincing, but overall i enjoyed the dialogue and the message; the last line is a great one. this is definitely the best album i've heard in a long time and my views on lil yachty as an artist have changed drastically. i was really wondering when we'd get an album as impactful as this one, and i'm glad it's finally here

One year later, still loving this album!

Lets hope this is a turning point for trap artists as a whole to take more risks without commercial disheartening.

This was probably the best first listen I’ve ever had with an album. I was caught so off guard, and it blew my mind. It was incredible and I’ve listened to it non stop since day of release. It’s a 9 imo

Drive me crazy! is one of my favorite songs of the whole year. Something about it chokes my throat up, it’s just so nice sounding. Diana Gordon’s vocals are so heavenly, the lyrics are heartfelt and Yachty compliments her perfectly somehow. It’s a moving track to me, one I really like to listen to with my girl.

Think directionally it its amazing, but needs a more put together lyrical album in this direction. Sometimes it just feels random. Ever since he had that track with Tame Impala, I've just been hungry for more of this stuff tho. It's HIS LANE

Really impressed with Kevin Parker's Lil Yachty impression, it's really something!

Damn the jokes aren't even getting thumbs up this time around. Everyone's just happy Yachty is checking out new genres and doing what he wants to do

This reminded me a lot of Gambinos Awaken My Love At initial listen my ears weren’t ready but after a few listens I felt spiritual and free! Big props to Yatchy and all the producers and writers amazing album

This project is super inspiring for me, just to see someone make an act creatively so indicative of renewal really brings out a feeling of ecstacy. I've always paid attention to rap, especially during the time yachty arose. I'm stoked he made this, gives me such high hopes for him as a figure in pop culture.

Can’t say I expected this from Yachty but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Production was insane, features killed it, and yachty himself provided some great performances. His vocal style meshes well with this kind of music and he doesn’t sound out of place at all. 8.5/10, and will probably continue to grow on me. Edit: the transitions between tracks on this album are insanely smooth too Favorite tracks: Pretty, running out of time, drive me crazy, should I b, the alchemist, saw the sun, etc.

I love that Mag Bay participated in this album! Such a killer bassline on running out of time

This is like a decent or strong 9/10 for me, it’s a great record that I just love so much. It’s some of the best music we’ve heard in a minute, and I really love it. I wanted to give it a 10 but I don’t think it’s perfect, but it’s so close for me. The fact that he uses his influences and other people to make a amazing record, It’s really a phenomenal album. I do wish you enjoyed it more, but I understand where you come from with this review. There are some songs that aren’t as amazing as the highlights, but at least this is a improvement from his last couple of albums

for the people who were expecting a higher score, don't be put off by the "7" and give this album a chance (I actually think fantano's 7's are still good projects), this was a well done review and I hope Lil Yachty sees this as a stepping stone and makes much stronger music

I hope this is Yachty’s Tyler moment, where he goes from a niche rapper with mid to bad albums to an artist who creates beautiful and unique music.

why is no one talking about the bob ross transition to drive me crazy??? that shi is the most amazing feel if ever gotten

It is cool to see an artist that was never my thing drop an album I really like out of nowhere

I’ve had this album on repeat since it came out. Yatchy’s best and most original piece of work since Lil Boat

I highkey think it's an 8.5/10 for me. I absolutely loved it.

I never really gave Lil Yachty's projects a listen before, but all the noise surrounding this one made me curious. And safe to say, I was genuinely impressed. Not only because of the competent and dramatic shift in genre, but how he still very much makes it his own. The album was a really easy listen for me; time just flew by. Like so many others, I didn't think Lil Yachty had this creative force in him. I got this at a light to decent 8/10. I hope he can create more interesting projects like this in the future.

This album is amazing!! I’m proud of Yachty for his growth musically!! Yachty deserves his flowers!!

Damn I was actually really hoping for an 8. Love this album

Damn, you convinced me to go listen to it. Will listen to the whole album later today. Will be my first entire listen from Lil Yatchy. I liked some singles before. But he was never my kind of music. But out of all the new Lil's a few years ago, including other mumble rappers, he seems to have stood out. He's managed to create his own niche in a way. Bringing something new. So I can't continue to ignore him. I'm open to becoming a fan if I like it. I also know it can grow on me so we'll see.

I can see a light 7, but I do believe it deserves a light 9 bc of his attempt at a whole new genre and that every song despite low moments really grabs the listener

i was waiting for this exact video now i can form an opinion about it without listening a single second of this album. Thank you baldie

I’ve honestly can’t get over this album. The production and sounds are incredible throughout. Lil Yachty himself is the only thing that holds himself back but I legit can’t stop listening to this project. Would love more of this and more left turns from other mainstream artists

Always knew lil yachty from some his more popular songs and when I heard Let’s Start Here, I was in love with it, it came at the best possible time, before I listened to it, everything felt so colorless. When he goes on tour for LSH, I’m for sure going.

this album is really really great. after my first listen through I ordered the vinyl to add to my collection. the switch up from his previous work is crazy and I have always liked yachty, but this just solidified him as a good artist for me.

When I listened to the album I definitely gained a new found respect for his creativity

this album is just from such a fresh perspective for psychedelic music. Doesnt take itslelf too seriously. Love ths project for its freshness.

You know, I've had an inkling late last year that he would go in this direction thanks to the fact that he was on Night Owl Sound (on OVO's Sound42) as a guest and he had a guest mix with a lot of similar sounding psych rock. It caught me off guard, but a welcomed change of pace. And when asked when a new album was coming he simply said "Soon". It was pretty rad.

Love this album so much, no skips! Love how a lot of songs flow into each other too, very easy to get lost in this album

if the vocals werent god awful 90% of the time this album would be at least a 9/10 for me

Fun album tbh. I wish "Drive me crazy" was longer though 😩.

we saw the sun is the best song ive ever heard.

I’ve been listening to this album front to back none stop since it came out. Honestly a 10 for me

You can hear that Yachty really wants to be taken seriously with this one. Reminds me of flower boy in this way.

How is the black Seminole not in your favorite songs? That’s literally the best song

I honestly love this album. Very proud to see Yachty branch out and really hit the mark with this sound. Haven't enjoyed a yachty album this much since Lil Boat 2

L take yachtys shuffle to rock being better than waynes?! no way

I absolutely adored this album - I’ve never listened to Yachty before but this album truly blew me away.

I never really liked Lil Yachty...BUT this album made me like him now. It's crazy how the sound of what Yachty was at before is now going into this...amazing piece.

I said it in the other melon video about yatchy and i’ll say it again here. This record is hitting as hard as it does because it’s a giant shock from yatchy. It’s a genuine psych rock album and he choose the right people to help create his vision. A great and fun album to listen too even with its shortcomings. I will be keeping my eye out for a tour.

There's also some Pyramid Song is REACH THE SUNSHINE. The first vocal line is almost identical to the first line in Pyramid Song and the chord progression is kinda similar as well.

I'm surprised you didn't mention how he interpolated Radiohead's Pyramid Song on the final track. Quite fitting for a project that is such a major left turn to reference the band who made Greatest Left Turn in Music History™.

I'm actually shocked at how good this album is. The genre blends are very impressive and unique.

great video anthony. i mostly resonate with you when you say that this album took influence, and even made an improvement, on pink floyd’s ‘dark side of the moon’

I guess for all the people who thought this was yachtys tpab. Apperantly this is yachtys Lil Pump

Sorry Anthony, you took too long on the review and I’ve already made up my mind that this album is a 9/10 with no skips. Genuinely love every song on here. I was getting a little bored of Yachty and felt he was starting to get stale, this album was the exact switch up he needed to get my attention back. It was such an unexpected and well executed shift in sound. I love the way he mixes influences like Pink Floyd and Tame Impala and then adds his own spin on things to bring the tracks to life. His quirky and playful delivery makes all the songs so fun. Not to mention all the great grooves on the beats and the way some of them swirl in my mind. I got insanely high on Saturday and listened to the whole album again after listening on Friday and it brought me out of this world, felt like my soul left my body. So proud of Yachty for taking this risk, pouring so much soul into this album, and succeeding at making such an amazing project. I absolutely loved this album. Sad to see you only gave it a 7/10, but that’s still a good score.

definitely my favorite album in a while. can't remember the last one I've played on repeat like this for days. prob a 9/10 for me

had my first experience with shrooms a few days ago and 'REACH THE SUNSHINE' started playing at the peak of my trip... it was incredible, he absolutely nailed that track

this is really gonna be a turning point for artists who feel stuck in a box of a single genre of sound to be like “oh man if LIL YACHTY can do THIS, what are others capable of and, more importantly, what am I capable of?” I hope this lets artists be able to step out of their comfort zone and make a left of center album that they would LOVE to make. I smell a whole rock album coming from uzi soon.

This album is like going to a destination that everyone has talked about. And when you get there it may be a little overhyped but you’re still glad you got to experience the trip.

(This comment is a combination of my opinion + the opinion of my brother who introduced me to this artist and is a HUGE fan of his “Teenage Emotions” album) I think this album is great! Immediately felt a similar excitement like when I first listened to IGOR or Honestly, Nevermind. My favorite songs are “drive ME crazy”🔥 best song on the project in my opinion “sHouLd i B?” 🔥 great song concept, I like it alot “pRETTy” 👍🏾 I enjoy the vocal effect here MUCH more than in Poland so I understand and accept it (didn’t like it on “say something” “the ride-“ 👍🏾 song went on alittle too long for me but I’ll come back for Teezo ALL the features were beautiful and almost outshined him each time but it all came together, in my opinion Okay so now My brother is a huge Yachty fan (specifically, Teenage Emotions era) and loved what he did with his melodics and singing. We talk alot about each release together since Teenage Emotions and we bonded over what this guy put together (he wasn’t really interested in rap/hip until he found this artist) All to say, What boat said at his release party for “Let’s Start Here” was kinda sad to hear. “Wanting to be taken seriously as an artist”shouldn’t be the reason you drop an experimental project like this (we say that as artists ourselves) ME personally, I enjoyed this project but I could understand a HUGE Teenage Emotions fan would be frustrated with the fact boat has TONS of unreleased heat WITH the melodics and singing on full display and we get stuff like Poland and the WAA effect on EVERY sung part of an album

Compared to other rappers who have tried to go rock. This album is light years ahead of other attempts.

thank you for not over hyping this. i get people like the genre change but i think the album is just okay i would even maybe give it a 6 just because of the vocals and i get that’s not the strong suit of the album but even if it’s not at least fixate your vocals with the tone of the album but i do enjoy it overall

Been curious to see your take on this album, I didn’t understand the hype at first but it’s grown on me through more listens

"the BLACK seminole." not in fav tracks is wild

say something was my favourite track, just the groove and feel of it with the youthful melancholic vocals, amazing.

I’ve had the album on repeat the last week, it’s a great experience front to back

Yachty had one of the biggest surprises of this year. You could honestly see this change from him dating all the way back from Teenage Emotions and to see how much he’s grown since then is amazing. Love this album a lot and I can’t wait to see what else he puts out in the future.

Interestingly, Paint The Sky is actually one of my favorites from the album. The melody of the chorus is actually a slowed down version of Pluto's Last Comet from Tory Lanez' Alone at Prom album, which came out before the Harry styles project. Great album either way, excited for where Yachty goes next!

Reach the Sunshine surpasses the highs of Pyramid Song and Shine On You Crazy Diamond by fusing them together. With that reference to The Ride at the very end of the track. One of the greatest endings to any album ever

Wish you would have mentioned Jack Latham aka Jam City among the production credits. Seriously amazing writer and producer. "the ride-" is basically a rework of his song "Cruel Joke":

All the rappers who tried a rock sound walked so Lil Yachty could run

Haven’t gotten around to listening to this yet, but it sounds like I’m in for a pretty jaw-dropping experience. Good for Yachty, he’s such a positive figure in music and I’m glad he’s successfully stepping outside of his comfort zone.