Smino has always been in a league of his own regarding musicality. We appreciate his sense of looking inward for his 3rd studio album, “Luv 4 Rent”. This album is an ode to the dating lifestyle of black communities, specifically derived from his experience in his hometown, St. Louis. His perspective is expressed through an ascension of funk-infused beats, melodic hymns, and eccentric punchlines. This album is truly a work of art—the trailblazer of ‘vibez’.
Smino has an alluring tone and falsetto that you can feel in your bones. His ability to mesh rap and soul creates an authentic voice that no one has ever heard. The content of ‘Luv 4 Rent‘ is pretty ironic in comparison to its sound. From a black women’s point of view, Smino’s lyrics are the epitome of the toxic dude that uplifts you, and f**k’s you good, but when things get serious admits their lack of emotional capability to move forward, making them even more desirable. The ‘desirable part’ creating the best moments of the situationship, in turn making things feel spontaneous and soulful.
The collaborations on this album are top-tier. Smino has a way of melding his sound with other artists. Everything sounds so natural. I love when the feature doesn’t take away from the originality of the star. Ravyn Lenae, as a fellow zero fatigue crew member was not a surprise. They create magic every time they’re on a track together. Lil Uzi and J.Cole however were a bit surprising. But as creative geniuses, we’re not shocked by the value they bring to the record. J.Cole brings more depth, while Lil Uzi adds more spirit. Out of all the features, Doechii on ‘Pro Freak’ was by far our favorite. She rode that beat till the wheels fell off. It’s the collab that you expected but with a delivery that exceeded expectations.
Luv 4 Rent is the album you blast riding around after a sess or it’s being played in the background while you smoke and drink at the weekend get-together. All in all, it’s a 10 out of 10. We highly recommend that you add it to your most frequently played playlist. Below are our favorite five songs.
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