Drunk

This album has been on my radar for years, mostly because of that ridiculous, instantly iconic cover—his head floating ominously in water, eyes locked onto yours like he’s seeing through your soul. I finally gave it a proper listen after catching Thundercat live at Kaytranada’s LA show, where he absolutely shredded the bass in ways that made me question if he even perceives rhythm the same way the rest of us do. Seeing him play in person only reinforced something I’ve always thought—Thundercat is a phenomenal musician, but as a bassist, he’s criminally underrated.

His resume speaks for itself. From Suicidal Tendencies to To Pimp a Butterfly, he’s had his hands in some of the most boundary-pushing music of the past few decades. But Drunk is his own strange, intoxicating world—a mix of jazz-fusion, funk, soul, and existential musings that feels exactly like the album title suggests.

The first two tracks, Rabbit Ho and Captain Stupido, throw you straight into the weirdness, a warped, woozy realm where humor and paranoia collide. It’s playful, chaotic, and at times downright surreal—"I feel weird," he mutters, like a drunken self-realization before the night spirals. Then Uh Uh hits, an absolutely insane jazz-funk instrumental that showcases his absurd technical skill, as if to remind you that beneath all the quirkiness, he’s an absolute virtuoso.

From there, the album swings between carefree groove and introspective melancholy. Them Changes is the clear standout, a bass-driven heartbreak anthem that feels both infectious and deeply melancholic. Lava Lamp and Show You the Way take a softer, more soulful approach, while Walk on By (with Kendrick, because of course) brings an eerie, almost hypnotic vibe.

At its core, Drunk is both hilarious and heavy—it’s an album about partying and existential dread, about vibing out and spiraling deep into your own thoughts. One second, you’re grinning at some absurd lyric, the next, you’re questioning your entire life. It’s the sonic equivalent of being wasted at 3 AM, flipping between euphoria and introspection. And through it all, Thundercat’s bass playing is the guiding force, bending and twisting melodies in ways that feel almost supernatural.

Underrated? Absolutely. Thundercat might just be one of the best bassists alive, but Drunk proves he’s so much more than that.

THUNDERCAT - DRUNK
RATING - 9.4

FAVORITE TRACKS - Lava Lamp, Them Changes, Walk on By

GENRE - Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rnb, Soul