Thundercat - It Is What It Is

September 2020

PJ's Top Tracks: 

• Interstellar Love (Very Jazzy!)

• Dragonball Durag

• Funny Thing

• It Is What It Is

Stephen Bruner is Thundercat, and both bassist and lyricist on his new album It is What it Is. Bruner is joined by a varying cast of artists and producers including Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Steve Lacy on the 15 track release. The album flirts between critical reflection on societal issues, as is the case in the feature laden track Black Qualls, and comedic skits such as in Overseas, featuring an outro by Zack Fox in which he impersonates a commercial pilot, and Dragonball Durag, in which Thundercat serenades a theoretical partner:

"I may be covered in cat hair, but I still smell good \ Baby let me know, how do I look in my durag?"

The combination of deep introspection on some tracks, followed by satire on others somewhat weakens the impact of each, but where his lyricism takes a backseat the excellent bass lines and instrumental arrangements are able to shine. Producers BadBadNotGood and Flying Lotus combination of jazz and hip hop inspirations are apparent throughout the release, and the entire work feels somewhat looser and less polished than previous works, although not necessarily for the detriment of the album. 

In the final and titular track of It Is What It Is Bruner reflects on the recent loss of his close friend Mac Miller to whom the album is dedicated.