“Yeezus” Might Just Be Kanye West’s Most Dynamic, Genius, and Offensive Album Yet

Kanye West is no stranger to creating controversy and being the focal point of intense public scrutiny. In fact, many would say he relishes it. After months of guerrilla advertising, Internet track leaks, and much anticipation, Yeezus, West’s sixth solo album has arrived, and once again, he’s got the music industry buzzing.

Some critics and fans have been quick to say that this is clearly West’s darkest, most dynamic album yet, while others are suggesting that Yeezus is only the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Kanye West, that it’s more shock value than musical masterpiece. Whatever his intent, West is one of the few contemporary entertainers who has the ability to truly raise a public ruckus. The public is obsessed with Kanye West, waiting with baited breath for the next highly opinionated, controversial thing he’ll say or do next.

According to Ryan Dombal, in a review for Pitchfork, “For Kanye, there's purpose in repulsion. And on Yeezus, he trades out smooth soul and anthemic choruses for jarring electro, acid house, and industrial grind while delivering some of his most lewd and heart-crushing tales yet.” Other critics agree that the trim, 40-minute album is heavy on the electro-industrial sound, with a mash up of jagged layers of sound and warped vocals that tint the record in a demonic hue. It’s content is very much in the style of Mr. West, in that it is provocative, misogynistic, race-centric, and bold.

According to Jody Rosen for Vulture, “Shock, surely, is the point. Kanye wants to get under our skin, to rile and appall,” which he certainly succeeds in with Yeezus. Rosen abhors the album’s sexist, degrading lyrics, but admits, “The knucklehead and the genius go hand-in-hand. For every provocation that falls flat on Yeezus, there are five moments that startle and make you think.” This is something that not many artists today can do. The album is full of shock value, but with Kanye West, there is always something deeper at play.

For an informative, in-depth review of Yeezus, read Ryan Dombal's Official Pitchfork Review, and be sure to listen to tracks from the album to weigh in!