Che pushes the boundaries of rage, a raw and abrasive subgenre of trap. The beats go beyond the typical stripped-down saw synths, incorporating dance and digital hardcore elements. Distorted 808s blend surprisingly well with flute melodies, and Che’s boundary-pushing flows complement his use of autotune and vocal melodies. The mixing creates an atmosphere that feels both sporadic and grounded, giving this project a distinct and unique sound.
Unlike other rage artists like Yeat and Playboi Carti, Che leans more toward conventional ad-libs and flows while experimenting with off-putting beats and densely packed production. Initially, this style felt jarring, but as the project progressed, it grew on me. The takeaway from this project shouldn’t be its lyricism, which is often nonsensical. Instead, Che focuses on creating an atmosphere that feels ecstatic and unhinged yet grounded.
What makes Che’s performance specifically unique is the use of his autotune, adlibs, and flows. His hooks and choruses are catchy and ear catching. Although somewhat nonsensical in a traditional sense, he puts forward a strong flow performance.
The album mainly explores themes of partying, drug use, and the excesses of a rock-and-roll lifestyle. It’s a project that will likely be unrelatable and hard to understand for anyone over 25, but it feels representative of the up-and-coming generation and their evolving music tastes.
This project hints at the future direction of trap, leaning more into melodic autotune and genre-blending. In many ways, it has the energy of a hyperpop album, incorporating the fast-paced, “on-the-go,” low-attention-span lifestyle of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. There’s also a noticeable TikTok influence, with tracks packed full of varied vocal styles, mixing techniques, and instrumental experimentation—yet with each song lasting only around two minutes max.
The versatility of this album is also surprising, considering its unconventional sound. I could play this project in the car, at a get-together, at the gym, or even just on my own to enjoy. Its energetic style makes it a great workout album, with many of the songs evoking a sense of drive and hype.
Overall, it’s difficult to compare this album to contemporary artists. It feels more like the SoundCloud trap era, with mixtape-style production. This project is made for a very specific audience and highlights more than ever how music is progressively becoming more niche and absurd. I recommend this project to anyone who hasn’t grown out of trap yet. I’ve been listening to it since it dropped and have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it.