It is What it Is by Thundercat (Review)
[Originally Published on April 7, 2020]
Thundercat is an unsung hero. The bassist made a name for himself by injecting Neo Funk into K. Lamar’s critically acclaimed and culture-shifting To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) via the songs “Wesley’s Theory” and “These Walls.” One could argue that he set the album’s sonic tone. On his own dazzling tape Drunk (2017), he showcased that he doesn’t take himself too seriously, but does take his music dead serious. Thundercat brings a rare vibe to any track he touches, which is on fully display on the love story It is What it Is.
On the heavily percussive “Lost in Space”, we are buckled into our seats as the pilot pages Planet Thundercat. As the rhythm speeds up, we lift off and race past his aloof, comical persona and into his most intimate thoughts. Perhaps this is a metaphor for the layers between who we really are and who we portray—the difference between our zodiac rising and moon. Only on the brassy “Interstellar Love” do we achieve his orbit for the remainder of the album.
“I Love Louis Cole” is more rapid than most Thundercat cuts, but not aggressive. It sounds like falling too fast. In his signature falsetto, he chants “let’s do it all again.”
The funky “Black Qualls” is a soul brother’s strut down Lennox Ave in Harlem. Childish Gambino’s warm hums are a welcome addition to the track. Over their careers, both artists have pushed their naturally unimpressive vocal ability closer to matching their creative prowess.
Bouncy and robotic, “Miguel’s Happy Dance” listens like a forced smile. Thundercat encourages us to “do the happy dance, even if you’re not alright.” “How Sway” is an impressive record that is seemingly inspired by Kanye’s infamous Breakfast Club interview. ESPN analyst Max Kellerman often says of LeBron: “if Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson had a baby, it’d be him.” If Thundercat and Flying Lotus had a brainchild, it’d be “How Sway.” The next track, “Funny Thing”, is carefree hair-swinging and a shameless shuffle with a house whiskey sour. It’s bottom shelf, but it’s all good.
“Overseas” signals the first of two changes in the album’s tone. Taking place during a flight, the song is a comical love story dreamed above the clouds. It’s telling that he tries to downplay his newfound romance with a sexual snippet. The album’s lead single “Dragonball Durag” represents a crossover of two worlds that only Thundercat can pull off: the homes of the nerdy hipster and iced out playboy. It hilariously shares images so honest that his yearning for validation doesn’t come off as desperate. Among them are being “covered in cat hair” when his love interest visits him and asking “am I doing it right” as they awkwardly rub skins.
The romance ends as quickly as it began. “How I Feel” creates a more somber tone as Thundercat questions “is this real?” “King of the Hill” and “Fair Chance” capture his downward spiral as the romance continues to sour. On the latter track, singer Ty Dolla$ trades in his usual suave player persona to wear his hopeless romantic hat. They are both “Running in Circles” like the Jazmine Sullivan track that seems to have inspired the lyrics “I keep holding you down/ even though you’re not around.”
“Existential Dread” is the story’s resolution as Thundercat accepts the situation for what it is—hence the album title. The album closer conjures up images of him stationed on a stool at is favorite bar. He’s gotten too drunk while thirsty for a rebound. The beat changes and returns to a similar percussive arrangement found on the first track—full circle. Maybe he’s moved too fast again. Maybe he was broken long before this heartbreak. It is What it Is is a stellar journey through a failed romance told through Neo Funk and electronic fusion. Are you ready for lift off?
