Review: Big Sean & Metro Boomin’s “Double Or Nothing” Takes An L Without Bouncin’ Back

    Back in February, Big Sean followed up on his career-solidifying opus, 2015’s Dark Sky Paradise, with the commendable I Decided. Despite its redeeming qualities (like scoring the first Eminem internet-breaking moment of 2017 and Sean showing us some great “Moves”), it wasn’t the boost his résumé needed to fully convince his critics and casual fans he deserved to be in the same conversation as you-know-who and the other guy.

    But survey says a 10-month lapse might as well be an eternity without new music. Call it either desperation or antsiness to get back in the mix, but now without (much) warning, Sean links with Metro Boomin (who always wants some more) to rush out one last project before the curtain closes on 2017. With the exception of the 21 Savage-featuring “Pull Up N Wreck,” which packs a massive beat, none of the records indicate there’s enough chemistry between the two All-Star artists to deserve a full-length offering.

    Double or Nothing is just as much Young Metro’s as it is Sean Don’s, and for the most part, the heavily sought-after producer holds down his end of the bargain. It’s disappointing no standalone soundbed reaches the hypnotic levels of Sean’s “Bounce Back” instant classic, but there’s still a tremendous amount of experimentation worth noting throughout the 10-song ultimate misfire.

    The Atlanta maestro makes a worthy case for consideration for any future cash-ins inspired by “Despacito’s” Reggaeton resurgence on “Who’s Stopping Me” with its guajeo-powered groove and unassuming bass dips.

    And while being a new-age producer (especially in the era where trap beats always clear the bar), the fusion of his golden 808s with The Brothers Johnson’s famed “Strawberry Letter 23” sample on album-anchor “No Hearts, No Love” exemplifies how the culture can be propelled further while still recognizing the OG sound framework.

    The effectiveness of Sean’s punchlines has been the G.O.O.D. Music star’s biggest catalyst for criticism and oh god! does the facepalm emoji get a workout over these 40 minutes.

    While the essential purpose of the album is never specified, Sean spends a ridiculous amount of time skeeting on tracks with no filter on the filler (e.g. the ethical principles heard on “Savage Time” almost feel like a slap in the face). When he’s not “eating pussy that tastes like syrup, CÎROC, and coconut” — after blowing blunts with Rosa Parks on the back of the bus — you can find him phoning in entire records. Just peep the drowsy “In Tune,” whose chorus goes “I’m in tune, I’m in tune, I’m in tune, yeah-yeah.”

    Double or Nothing‘s most engaging track comes courtesy of “So Good,” a raunchy parking lot party-starter where Detroit-bred starlet Kash Doll breezes past Sean with a well-manicured appearance, after he shits the bed with the line “Pussy so good, I never fuck you in the ass.”

    It’s no secret that today’s Hip Hop climate demands artists to “put something out” lest they weather the storm of new rappers (or R&B line-steppers) potentially taking their spot. Maybe he wanted to pad his lavish lifestyle but considering Big Sean’s tenure in the game, moving strategically should be the only course of action these days.

    That’s how the A-listers do it, anyway.

    45 thoughts on “Review: Big Sean & Metro Boomin’s “Double Or Nothing” Takes An L Without Bouncin’ Back

    1. This is harsh, i think sean was solid. Nothing really sticks but still way more substance then the other projects that dropped yesterday. Im disappointed by everything that dropped yesterday. Qc album was trash, durk and tee trash..smh em single trash

    2. “….after he shits the bed with the line “Pussy so good, I never fuck you in the ass.”

      — BEST QUOTE EVER IN A DX REVIEW

    3. Man reviewer must be slow. In tune is one of the deepest cuts on this album. Reviewer doesn’t read much. Sean rapping about being in tune with his spirituality and source of power God. Blocking out negativity and staying focused. Not everybody is ready to think and therefore live on a higher level.

    4. DX, r u all hiring listeners with rat ears? How did they come up with this terrible review?! This is a good album and your rat ear reviewer didn’t get this on right. They need to b demoted!

    5. Nah, the only ones who take an L is this website and it’s staff. You can’t possibly digest any music or movie days after it’s released. Foh. Yall praise Mumble rappers, Migos, Cardi B and trash but won’t big up actual rappers. Sean musta turned yall down for a interview cause this comes off sounding hurt AF

    6. Terrible review. How you gonna kill Sean for his lyrics when for the most part he holds it down, some corniness but some fire while some of these beats sound like almost every other trap beat?

    7. no way this is a 5 out of ten…if you’ve been digging metro’s beats the past few years you’ll like this…he experiments with some different sounds…big sean is fine…

    8. This shit is nothing special (or dope) and the review is indicative of that. Talking about “took no time to digest”, negroes please. Nobody on this board will be listening to this shit in a week anyway. Reviews on DX are damn near always suspect but this review is on par.

    9. Not the best Big Sean album of all time, but one that proves to be a well rounded and thoughtful music after multiple listens. The strength of Big Sean is his wordplay and his willingness to rap over a variety of productions from Metro Boomin. The album has music for all different types of moods.

      The highlights of the album for me were Savage Time and No Hearts No Love where Sean displays a more serious tone. Even songs like So Good, that seemed shallow on the surface, made me appreciate how well Big Sean is at his craft after a couple of times listening to it. I think a lot of the lines will go over your head at first.

      I recommend the album for anyone who was already a fan of Big Sean and Metro Boomin. Anyone not a fan, might find this album as an easy transition into the rest of these artists’ libraries.

    10. i agree with these user comments and disagree with this review. you guys did the same with Hopsin trying to attack his morals and not even listening to the music.

      I used to come to this site for the standard of reviews but this recent 24 hour emotional review tirade is concerning.

      …this wasn’t a great album but big sean has more lyrics and talent than most bs high ratings you’ve given

    11. Not the biggest Sean fan, but this album is solid. All 10 tracks go. Lyrically, musically, it’s a cohesive effort to me that represents Big Sean. Great lyrical ability without sounding like he’s trying too hard.

    12. Totally disagree with this review. Not a huge Sean fan but this was my favorite album of his. The project was a WIN. Trent Clark is a dick riding hater, for no reasons more than to gain an audience. Beats and rhymes were banging.

    13. No everyone is complaining they posted this review in 24 hours but no is complaining about the Statik Selektah review that also got posted and it dropped the same day??? Weirdos. That’s a so much better album than this trap rap pos too!

    14. I was pretty interested to hear this bcuz i thought that his last album was ok,but my god was this bad,i mean metro did a good job ,but i just couldn’t with some lyrics,i had high hopes for this but in the end it just turned out to be not that good,really disappointed.

    15. What kind of review is this?, it’s definitely not his best but it’s something to ride to. I can listen whole album without skipping

    16. FuckHHDX nerdy ass writers. Usually horrible opinions. It’s just a convenient way to get the basic low down of rap news on my cell. Any better sites?

    17. Agree with the review. Listen to Sean’s lyrics not just to the beats. It’s a cringe worthy attempt at being a lyricist which he is not. The Rosa Parks line, the I will sock you out, etc etc. This is lyricism? Please. Good beats doesn’t save Sean here. If you claim to be the best as Sean has done you better come up with something better than those corny ass lyrics. Big Fail.

    18. Please fact check before saying anything right now i feel you havent even listened to the ahum for example sean said he had a dream he was rolling with Rosa Parks at the back of the bach (maybach)

    19. Did y’all even put the time into listening to the album? Who reviews an album hours after it is released?

      P.S. – Stop deleting my comments

    20. This album was dope, I don’t know what the fuck you were listening to, Sean is a lyrical assassin with a vision. Too much trash has fucked up your ears.

    21. This is the modern day Illmatiic. Sean effortlessly inks verbal globs of liquid lava bobbing inside a lava lamp over Metro aka Lil Preemo 808s. Go back and put that respek on the D

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