Released in 2010, Kanye West’s fifth studio album ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ can be considered a massive turning point for not only the industry, but Kanye himself. Following several controversies in the media and with the untimely passing of his mother, Kanye went into seclusion for this albums production and what he has come out with here is not only an excellent hip hop album, but one that changed the landscape of the genre for the next decade to come.
The opening track ‘Dark Fantasy’ starts with an overly British sounding Nicki Minaj narrating as if the album is this children’s storybook before Justin Vernon and Tenyana Taylor open with this gospel sound before transitioning into Kanyes verse which feels like something out of one of his earlier albums. It’s a strong opening track and sets the scene. A couple tracks down you have what many would consider the defining track of the album ‘POWER’ which sounds like this ambitious and empowering anthem but at the grit of it talks about how someone could be so easily consumed by the wealth and riches of life and just how self-destructive one can be
The next track ‘All of the Lights’ has a beautiful Violin interlude before diving right into this pop-rap epic ‘All Of The Lights’ which has these blasting trumpets and is probably one of the more feature heavy tracks on the album with appearances from Rihanna, Kid Cuddi and Fergi. To my surprise the features don’t feel overwhelming or unnecessary each feeling well integrated into their track. The biggest standout verse on the album in the track ‘Monster’ isn’t even by Kanye but rather from Nicki Minaj who switches the complexion of her voice in and out to sound like this innocent child who could do no wrong straight into a verbal beatdown.
However, a big focus throughout the album focuses on Kanye’s life in those last few months. It’s not exactly hard to tell that Kanye is very troubled throughout the album and as things progress, we start to see Kanye slowly open about his issues. Whether it be with the difficulties of the press, his relations with women etc. It all comes to a head in the track ‘Runaway’. Production wise it starts stripped by with only single notes on a piano being played though as the song goes on, it starts to sound more troubled with Kanye singing about this lover that won’t leave, one he knows that he treats awfully. The whole track feels like one big confession, with all his pent-up emotion coming pouring out. Kanye is defeated on this song, and with the last 2 minutes closing being this obnoxious autotune ballad which really conveys the feeling that Kanye is just trying to close himself back up after having been so open to his audience.
In terms of complaints I really can’t think of much to say about ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. The album is long, running at over an hour in length so that could be a turn off for certain people but to this day, it’s Wests most engaging album and we really get to see his personal struggle with fame and all the responsibility that comes with it.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is available on CD, Vinyl and for streaming on Spotify and Apple music.
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