#confessionsofadangerousmind

[peachriffer]

Review: Logic - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

On his fourth album, Logic proves himself to a rapper but fails to be an artist.

Confessions isn't as conceptual as Logic's previous two efforts and that isn't necessarily a bad thing because Logic's concepts don't tend to be fully fleshed out anyway. The Incredible True Story features skits that don't tie into the songs at all and Everybody attempts to be more topical but fails because Logic only really knows how to rap about himself or how he's biracial or something to that effect. It's hard to understand the creative decisions that led to Logic making Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and why it's so disappointing without some context first so let's get that out of the way now...

Let me be clear: Logic is an incredible rapper. He's technically proficient, his vocals are easy on the ears, he's likable, charismatic, and expressive. He can sing (unlike most rappers who believe they can sing). He has always shown incredible potential but, in the years since the release of his debut, Under Pressure, he's failed to capitalize on that potential artistically. He borrows his style from his contemporaries, namely Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Eminem. This is fine on it's face. It's okay to have influences but Logic tended to take this a little far. Under Pressure saw Logic wearing his influences on his sleeve to the point where I half expected to hear Kendrick's 'Sing About Me' refrain on the title track. Still though, I was optimistic about where Logic's career would take him, especially since he was so great at emulating other artists so early on.

The Incredible True Story brought us more of the same but also carried with it some of the best beats Logic would ever rap on in my opinion. Not only this but the album also brought with it a space theme that completely failed to tie into what Logic was even rapping about. Overall it was fine but it wasn't Logic's masterpiece yet. He still needed to develop into his own voice, sharpen his focus, and deliver a unique perspective on more topical things. I could sense a masterpiece in him. All of the pieces were there, this just wasn't the right time yet.

Then we had Everybody, another concept album and another failure to quite hit the mark. This album brought with it Logic's signature 1-800 Suicide Prevention song, a track with a solid message that would be dumb to argue against. Aside from that however most of the tracklist is loaded with duds and the messaging is inconsistent. This wasn't the masterpiece fans had been clambering for quite yet.

This finally brings us back around to the subject of this review, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and why it's such a failure overall.

First off, after listening to this thing I struggle to understand why this album is titled "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" because Logic isn't confessing to anything, he isn't dangerous, nor is the album thought out well enough to have a 'mind' behind it at all. The project's title is irrelevant to the content of the record and was seemingly just tacked on because it sounded interesting or something. The Incredible True Story suffered from the same problem too as the Story it tells wasn't Incredible nor was it true.

Titles aside though, Logic's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is terrible from start to finish. Individually the tracks aren't so bad but, when listened to all at once, I struggle to see how anyone could believe they'd made a cohesive album.

The title track kicks us off and carries little weight. Logic occasionally reaches to make a point but never does. He talks about things and makes observations that are fairly rudimentary about himself, his culture, and caring for one's self. And that's it. The track just leads to nothing substantial and continues to the next track. The dissatisfaction is overwhelming.

Homicide with Eminem is a major highlight for me, even if it's an isolated one. Eminem handles himself surprisingly well considering his abysmal output as of late too. The track introduces itself with Logic's father joking that his son is the greatest alive because he came out of his balls. Not only is this not funny but it doesn't connect to anything else in the song at all. Over the course of the song nothing notable in particular is said. This circles back to one of my core problems with Logic as a performer. He raps well but overwhelmingly finds himself without anything to talk about. He struggles to stay on topic for longer than two or three bars before changing the subject or providing a throw away line that carries no weight. Every word is low impact because each line is just filler to fill time until the next track where you could responsibly expect more filler.

On the off hand, however, when Logic does manage to say something consequential, the line usually borders on questionable to downright inappropriate. Take for instance the track 'Pardon My Ego' where Logic wishes he could have bipolar disorder so he could make an album as genius as Kanye's Ye. I could rant about this line forever. This is ridiculous on it's face and Logic's intention with the statement is unclear. He should understand having bipolar disorder won't help him to make better music but says the line anyway. He's weirdly complimenting Kanye but gives credit to his disorder for the success of the album. The two aren't necessarily related. Sure, Ye is, in part, about kanye's struggle with mental illness and how these experiences helped to form him into the man he is today. Though it's important to point out that Ye is more about Kanye prevailing despite the illness and not about how his mental illness helps him to make great albums. This point seems totally lost on Logic who seems to believe that mental illnesses are somehow like the real life equivalent to superpowers and that, if you're just mentally fucked up enough, you too could be a creative genius. This is a huge misconception.

This segways nicely into another thing that rubs me the wrong way about Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. It's an amalgamation of several ongoing tropes in hip-hop right now:

- Illusions to being different, being politically conscious, or woke.

- rapping about bitches, money, drugs, or being better than everyone else.

- Society being bad or expecting you to act a certain way.

- Social Media is addictive and is something you should ignore.

- Logic is 'killin' the game. He's a 'game changer'. He's a self-proclaimed Genius. He's biracial. He's this. He's that.

It's all just noise at this point and, truthfully, I no longer believe that Logic has the same potential to create the masterpiece I once believed he would. His latest album isn't about anything in particular. The tracklist could be ordered in any way and carry the same weight, which is next to none.

On the upside, the beats are well-produced and Logic is a proficient rapper. He sounds great over these instrumentals but this is about all the credit I can give the album before checking out completely. Nothing of substance ever happens on Confessions. Logic never has a topic and seems to just spit whatever he wants to in that moment. The best line he manages on this album is: "Scarecrow Flow, I'm outstanding in my field". It's a stroke of brilliance that never manifests itself again on Confessions.

Overall, the more I listen to the album, the more I struggle to find it's appeal outside of just being background music. The whole album is filler, loaded with Hip-hop's most rudimentary tropes and tracks that take up space rather than generate interest. There's no artistic vision to be found here, no plan, no surprises, no concept. The whole album just feels empty, without tension, conflict, purpose, a driving force behind it's creation, or anything to provide appeal or intrigue at all. Logic lacks depth of character and has nothing interesting to say. No new perspective or anything even remotely noteworthy to tell his listeners. Why was this album made? The answer to that question still eludes me and, for that reason, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is one of the worst, most uneventful hip-hop albums I've ever heard. I definitely recommend you sit this one out even if you kind of liked Logic's music up until this point. His charm is just non-existent on this project.

Highs: Homicide, Mama/Show Love

Lows: Pardon My Ego, The Title Track, Commando, Icy, BOBBY

[makingloveinvskitchen]

Practice makes you better. Been working on my core.. Hands up and legs up.. 5 days a week baby. Trying to make it to 💯 .. Favorite colors green 😂💚 . This is #JustATouchof_J Check out my @makingloveinvskitchen new food video too 🔌👌🏾 👉🏾 This is #jsfittips of this week. #iloveyou Thank me later! #personaltrainer stuff 💚😘 🙋🏽‍♀️ . . Download the (JustatouchofJ) APP for all access to JustatouchofJ #Linkinbio Also Follow me on IG @makingloveinvskitchen for Succulent Dishes @mynameisroni76 for that Work.. and @JustATouchofJ for #Fitness and Nutrition. . . And Join my podcast listeners on my App or by checking out the link above to hear my prospective on any and everything! Full food videos on #IGTV and Vimeo . I also drop tips, videos, and podcasts on how to make my succulent dishes! . . Check me out on Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter as well too! Just google (JustatouchofJ) For New podcast 👉🏾 Listen on my mobile app also for instructional tutorials about food prep and other interesting intriguing inspirational things. 💯 #workout #fitness #gym #confessionsofadangerousmind #coreworkouts #entrepreneur #vspodcasttopics #chef #goodmorning #absandlegs #healthylifestyle #workouts #fitnessaddict #eminem #fitpro #logic #fitlife #exercisevideo #fit #workoutroutine #fitchicks #buns #glutes (at Gwinnett County, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BztbXyqHmjW/?igshid=1d8wmirx4giuu

[a-fantastically-ordinary-guy]

COADM Tour wallpaper that I put together. Feel free to download and use

[sanzeroeigteen]

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LOGIC “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” New Album🎶 Doooop!!! #logic #confessionsofadangerousmind #静岡 #mixingjournal #ミキシングジャーナル #webmagazine #ウェブマガジン #streetculture #ストリートカルチャー #hiphop #cactus #サボテン #sk8 #スケートボード #outdoor #アウトドア #bicycle #自転車 #military #自衛隊 #club #クラブスケジュール #movie #映画 #artlife #アート #music #ミュージック https://www.instagram.com/p/BxRObWFglvf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6ki3i4h8ai3q

[wearethefrontrunnaz]

#vinyldays KYLE & @iamjmars Real HipHop will never die. We on that boombap shit!!! #SQUAD FOLLLOW COMMENT LIKE SHARE #logic #rattpack #bobbytarantino #youngsinatra #underpressure #theincredibletruestory #nopressure #ysiv #everybody #supermarket #ultra #coadm #confessionsofadangerousmind #rap #peaceloveandpositivity #bobbyboy #hiphop #welcometoforever #bobbysoxer #rattpacktillmypulseflat #undeniable #vmg #peacelovepositivity #rattpackgang #music #visionarymusicgroup #bobbyhall (at Northside of H-Town) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZVuDykOvl9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[toastsinclair86]

Logic @logic announced last week that he will be releasing his sixth and final album, No Pressure, on July 24th. This week I’ll be listening to and ranking the five previous albums. 5. Confessions of A Dangerous Mind. #Logic #ConfessionsOfADangerousMind #HipHop #CountdownToNoPressure https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3t-DdDd7NH7FaQPXnxZZLV1FJT2NEjLz4P-80/?igshid=wjfu1m0ta8ug

[horrorpaingoredeath]

#confessionsofadangerousmind #bluray #comedy #biography #cia #chuckbarris #georgeclooney #charliekaufman #samrockwell #drewbarrymore #juliaroberts #thegongshow #thedatinggame (at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions HQ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87dgPSJKTe/?igshid=xofx4gbvjqh2

[mastercortez]

“Bobby Boy” • • #Logic #YoungSinatra #BobbyTarantino #RattPack #BobbyBoyRecords #BobbyBoy #UnderPressure #TheIncredibleTrueStory #Everybody #YSIV #ConfessionsofaDangerousMind #NoPressure #Ultra85 #picsart #legopicsart #picsartlego #legoLogic #mastercortez #pixlr #legopixlr #legophoto #legophotography #guardianlego #legophotography #legogram (at Gaithersburg, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3N2_jfnOxx/?igshid=1fpk2h22vv21c

[karthikaye]

Neo I'm the one, bitch, I am the one, like Keanu Reeves Get it done, yeah, I get it done, no blood on the leaves Fuck Illuminati, that boy 6ix got my back 6ix made this beat, 6ix bring the heat Did you know I'm mixed like Obama? Bicoastal, I'm platinum, go postal, I'm snappin' Fuck the bullshit, do what you love and get out the hood #keanureeves 🕴🏻 #confessionsofadangerousmind 🕊 (at अंबिकापुर) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1v1uHnBtDc/?igshid=pvevfcbsnhk6

[pidesignsco-blog]

Bobby Boy!

Peace, love, positivity. If y’all don’t know who Logic is... do yourselves a favor and look him up right now. 

Not only is his music beautiful, but he is an amazing person who is doing all kinds of great things for our generation. Not to mention he is out here doing the most, he is an author, a lyricist, an amazing rapper, screenwriter, and now runs and owns Bobby Boy Records. 

He is truly an inspiration and role model.  

“Follow your dreams, be a good person, and fuck approval of others.”

[makingloveinvskitchen]

Hey 🤷🏽‍♀️😎😘 . . This is #JustATouchof_J Check out my @makingloveinvskitchen new food video too 🔌👌🏾 👉🏾 This is #jsfittips of this week. #iloveyou Thank me later! #personaltrainer stuff 💚😘 🙋🏽‍♀️ . . Download the (JustatouchofJ) APP for all access to JustatouchofJ #Linkinbio Also Follow me on IG @makingloveinvskitchen for Succulent Dishes @mynameisroni76 for that Work.. and @JustATouchofJ for #Fitness and Nutrition. . . And Join my podcast listeners on my App or by checking out the link above to hear my prospective on any and everything! Full food videos on #IGTV and Vimeo . I also drop tips, videos, and podcasts on how to make my succulent dishes! . . Check me out on Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter as well too! Just google (JustatouchofJ) For New podcast 👉🏾 Listen on my mobile app also for instructional tutorials about food prep and other interesting intriguing inspirational things. 💯 #workout #fitness #gym #confessionsofadangerousmind #coreworkouts #entrepreneur #vspodcasttopics #chef #goodmorning #absandlegs #healthylifestyle #workouts #fitnessaddict #eminem #fitpro #logic #fitlife #exercisevideo #fit #workoutroutine #fitchicks #buns #glutes (at Statesboro, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8Jp3pnmIb/?igshid=1ikten375ycip

[robertjr321]

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.. #logic #confessionsofadangerousmind #greatartist #greatalbum (at Dallas, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGpCBIg1Bh/?igshid=bw9ei789ah68

[rafaelavcioglu]

I have a lot to say about Logic and how I feel about him so I will save that for another post with just him in the frame. Last nights performance was incredible. Joyner Lucas and Logic just dropped a song/released a music video 5 days ago called, “ISIS A.D.H.D.” The song had many hidden messages and was a little all over the place but overall it was an enjoyable track. None of us had any idea Logic would be bringing Joyner on stage and then letting him preform “I love”. He hopped off stage at one point and came right to our rail. It sucks that I didn’t have my wide lens handy to quickly shoot that moment but I was able to get a video on my phone which is in my story (go peep it). I will also save my thoughts about Joyner for a post with just him in the frame. I am choosing to post these first because I don’t feel like the photographers at the show got shots like this in the moment where they put there arms around each other. It’s moments like those that I really enjoy capturing. One great rapper to the next. So much fire content from yesterday. I am trying to spread these out a bit. Is my feed going to turn into a concert photography feed? Probably not. But I must share this work while the news from the festival is still fresh. Hope you guys are enjoying what you’re seeing so far! _____________ Shooting for: @followingboston x @bostoncalling In frame: @logic x @joynerlucas ___________ - - - - #logic #confessionsofadangerousmind #logictour #bostoncalling #prememagazine #theweekoninstagram #igboston #followingboston #joynerlucas #complex #thefader #spinmagazine #rollingstonemagazine #musicphotography #concertphotography #xxl #igboston #festivalphotography #nytimes #hypebeast #hypebeastmusic #themusicpr0ject #genius #dazed #faderfort #settingthestage #houseofhighlights #bleacherreport (at Boston Calling Music Festival) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx-RBR5gnxa/?igshid=1ojvlsqxu3ktt

[ciarameghan]

#thisalbumtho #dontbeafraidtobedifferent #confessionsofadangerousmind #logic #banger #fire #willsmithonatrack #imicy #imclean #oneafteranother #thistheshitivibeto #thelyricsare🔥 #youkilledit @logic https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx-QMPtA0EN/?igshid=6nedkrpm4dn5

[thereportcardpodcast]

#Trc 169 is live. Check out our album reviews for @djkhaled #fatherofasahd @haviahmighty #13thfloor @logic #confessionsofadangerousmind @levenkali #Lowtide Available everywhere podcast can be found! #love #music #musicmonday #hiphop #rnb #podcast #podcaster #youtuber #critic #instagood #instamusic #musicreviewpage #atlanta #nyc #miami #albumreviews #art #instamood #instavibe #spotify #itunes #iheartradio #vibe @thetunetrials #thetunetrials (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqsGkVHubs/?igshid=kcw4f7nq5u4k

[batpanda1992]

Found my Anthem on Logic's new album #confessionsofadangerousmind @logic & @willsmith are THE Duo. #DontBeAfraidtobeDifferent . . . @spotify @youtube @teamvisionary . . . #logic #willsmith #bobbytarantino #freshprince #spotifypremium #spotifyplaylist #spotify #supportdopemusic #supportdopeartists #goodmusiconly #goodmusicallday #music #hiphop #lyricists #lyrics #technique #flow #newalbum #newmusic #doubletap #followmeplease #peaceandlove #positivevibesonly https://www.instagram.com/p/BxdWKfalIZ-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=172y8m6a3umd