Darold
Got it, thanks for the tracklist! Here’s a more polished review using the actual songs from Darold and adding extra context to flesh out the review.
So, Darold is an album with some standout moments and a handful of songs that hit deep, but it also has its fair share of forgettable parts. There are some tracks on here that genuinely feel inspired, like Dead Homies and Pool. Dead Homies brings that raw, introspective energy—it’s like Ferg’s reflecting on the people he’s lost and all the loyalty that keeps him grounded. Pool also stands out with this smooth, almost mesmerizing vibe, and Elmiene’s feature gives it an extra soulful touch that sticks with you. These are the tracks where Ferg’s personality really shines, and they give the album some needed weight.
But once you move past these highlights, things start to get a little shaky. Tracks like Light Work and Messy feel a bit underwhelming, partly because of their production. The beats here aren’t bad, but they’re pretty standard, almost too clean or safe. It feels like they’re holding Ferg back, which is odd considering he’s known for his high-energy, unpredictable style. Even on a track like Demons (with Denzel Curry, who’s usually intense), there’s a mismatch between the beat and the vibe. It’s almost like Ferg’s fighting with the production instead of riding it, which messes with the album’s flow.
And Ferg’s delivery on this album is kind of hit-or-miss. On some tracks, he’s in his element, but on others, he sounds either too laid-back or like he’s struggling to find a rhythm. For example, Allure has a nice production touch with Mike WiLL Made-It and Future, but even with the strong beat, Ferg’s verses don’t fully click, which makes it feel like a missed opportunity. It’s almost as if he’s holding back, and it leaves some of the songs feeling half-finished or disconnected.
The features, though, are definitely a high point. Elmiene’s contributions on Dead Homies and Pool add layers of soulfulness and texture that elevate those tracks. And then you have Mary J. Blige, who brings that classic feel to Casting Spells and Chosen, adding depth and emotion that Ferg’s delivery doesn’t quite match on his own. The features are solid enough to carry parts of the album, and they make you wish Ferg had brought that same energy to every track.
Overall, Darold isn’t a bad album, but it doesn’t feel fully realized either. For a 40-minute listen, it somehow feels longer, and not in the best way. There’s a handful of songs here that are worth keeping on repeat, but too much of it feels like filler. The album has moments of brilliance, especially when Ferg’s collaborating with strong features, but it doesn’t maintain that momentum. It’s an album with a few solid highs, but overall, it falls a bit short of what Ferg’s capable of delivering.
A$AP FERG - DAROLD
RATING - 7.8/10
FAVORITE TRACKS - Pool, Dead Homies
GENRE - Hip-Hop, Rap