The Family

I can go on for days about how much I already miss the band, but as a reviewer i’m strictly going to review the sonic aspects over anything else right now. “THE FAMILY” is basically a Kevin Abstract solo project. Bearface does some production and has a few vocal snippets, plus there are samples of the group just living their daily lives, but that’s about it. The boyband’s final album doesn’t even feature the rest of the boyband. This is probably going to bum out a lot of fans, and honestly, it bummed me out too. Part of what made this group special was how they bounced off each other, with different vocalists shining in their own way. Focusing on just one member, especially for the last BROCKHAMPTON album, feels like a letdown for a group that’s always been called a family. This isn’t the ending we all pictured. But maybe that’s the point.

Even though Kevin is the only main vocalist, “THE FAMILY” is still a BROCKHAMPTON album at its core. It’s the story of BROCKHAMPTON, told by its founding member. Over seventeen tracks that flow into each other, Kevin recounts the highs and lows of the group and why it fell apart. The whole thing is set against flipped soul and jazz samples, which not only harken back to the group’s origins on a Kanye West forum but also give the album a nostalgic, emotional vibe. The real stars here are the lyrics and emotions, but the production deserves a shoutout too. Creative sample flips, solid mixes, blending bangers with experimental sounds, and emotionally charged musicality—it’s like a soundtrack overview of BROCKHAMPTON’s entire career.

This soundtrack really brings out the nostalgic feelings Kevin has as he reflects on the band and what led to its end. But even though it’s Kevin’s perspective, it’s not some biased blame game or a manipulative pity party. Kevin dives into all the complex and contradictory emotions, giving an honest and neutral account without pointing fingers. Sometimes he’s excited for the future and feels free, other times he’s deeply remorseful and wants the boys to get back together. Sometimes he’s proud of their accomplishments, other times he sees fame as the group's downfall. He’s also brutally honest about his own mistakes, ego trips, substance abuse, and how he turned friendships into business, even admitting his behavior was toxic at times. The solo nature of the record seems to symbolize Kevin’s feelings of isolation and loneliness now that the band is over.

BROCKHAMPTON - THE FAMILY

RATING - 7.8/10

FAVORITE TRACKS - All That, 37th, My American Life

GENRE - Alt/Indie, Hip Hop, Rap, Rnb