“Reality,” the album’s final song, brings everything full circle as our protagonist comes to terms with success and all of its proverbial pitfalls. “Fetus” explores the possibility of fatherhood for a younger Aminé-although it never came to fruition. Although it’s audibly pleasing, the topic seems anachronistic compared to the rest of the album, which feels timely and urgent. Limbo centers his unique experience as a Black man trying to navigate a complex and slightly corrupt world “Becky” throws off this sentiment as he describes a forbidden love with a white woman. Aminé’s sensitivity around the subject is off-putting, though. “Mama” takes a note from Tupac’s playbook with his take on the quintessential maternal dedication anthem “Becky” brings the qualms of interracial dating to the forefront (“Mama said never bring a white girl home to me”). “Easy,” a collaboration with Summer Walker, is a sultry and slightly wistful listen that proves the two artists complement each other perfectly. One of Limbo’s standout moments, “Shimmy,” pays homage to the late, great Ol’ Dirty Bastard by interpolating his infamous track “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” with gritty delivery. “Can’t Decide” and “Compensating” (featuring Young Thug) showcase Aminé’s impressive skill of making his vocals-which sway between syrupy cadences and hard-hitting verses-effortlessly melt into quirky melodies. Good For You was saturated with an array of party-starters its follow-up takes a solemn look at Aminé’s life and shares the findings. “Roots,” which is soulfully accompanied by JID and the one and only Charlie Wilson, leans into Aminé’s more self-deprecating side (“If being ugly was pretty / I’d be the shit”) and fearlessly embraces who he really is. His ability to look so powerfully inward stands in sharp contrast to the man we were introduced to three years ago. His brief “Kobe” interlude is surprising in its potency Aminé’s vulnerability coupled with the realization of his own mortality is piercing, yet soft. “Woodlawn” indulges in the rapper’s trap temptations while celebrating the Northeast Portland neighborhood he grew up in.
Opening track “Burden,” with its wailing rhythms and pulsating beat, is what Aminé teases at the beginning as “some shit you go and pick your homey up from jail with.” Its big breakout single, “Caroline,” was a mirthful infatuation romp that was simply infectious.Īlthough this light-hearted nature dominated Good For You in its entirety, Limbo takes more of an existential turn as Aminé earnestly wonders what comes after that initial rush of success. The 26-year-old emcee made major waves in the rap game with his 2017 debut album, Good For You, a playful and adventurous project that showcased not only his lyricism but also his undeniable charisma. Charting Aminé’s sonic progression proves to be quite the fulfilling task on his sophomore effort, Limbo.
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