“I’m a visionary, that’s long-term / But Def Jam said they needed that,” Logic spit on “Til The End,” the swaggering conclusion to his critically acclaimed debut album, 2014’s Under Pressure. Great expectations ran supreme when the Maryland native nearly shattered the Internet when he released Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever, amassing over a 100K Datpiff downloads in less than 24 hours, but Logic managed to remain faithful to all the boundless elements that made him a star — his storytelling prowess, pristine lyricism, and spellbinding instrumentals.
Not too many artists would elect to release their sophomore project in the digital melee of new Justin Bieber and Jeezy projects respectively, but Logic’s artistic purview is vastly different than the typical fold. Labeled as “a sophomore album and motion picture sci-fi epic from Logic,” An Incredible True Story is much more than just the latest extension of Logic’s ongoing saga, and he catapults the cinematic aura of his previous work to even new heights. Within the schema of a futuristic universe, the album takes place 100 years in the future where only a handful of inhabitants are on a voyage to travel to a far off planet dubbed “Paradise.” But although the narrative is literally steeped in space travel, undoubtedly the most ambitious aspect of the album is the sweeping soundscapes buttressing the audacious lyricism.
Like many beloved artists before him, Logic repeatedly confirms that his journey is not a purely narcissistic endeavor, but a unifying experience with his listeners as well. With his reputation now preceding him at long last, Logic fiddles with a kaleidoscope of sounds to conceive the flamboyant soundtrack. Despite Under Pressure attracting some unfair criticism for mimicking the work of influential legends, Logic manages to straddle the line between his singular vision and homage. Evoking Kanye West’s earlier work, the triumphant horns and boastful 808 drums on “Contact” immediately adjusts the climate and properly launch the album. Logic’s invigorating lyrical expos on the legacy-cementing tracks “Fade Away” and “Upgrade” follow in quick succession. Whereas Logic’s past artistic conquests were marked by meticulous attention to detail, The Incredible True Story is both the overt and organic progression of an accomplished emcee maneuvering in his comfort zone past potential pitfalls. He enlists the aid of Big Lenbo for the nostalgic 90’s era, boom-bap anthem “Young Jesus” for one of the year’s most radiant singles.
At every turn, Logic masterfully paces both the narrative quest as well as the music itself, culminating in an exhilarating experience. But spacey concepts, crisp production, and captivating bars only account for a fraction of the album’s overall magnetism. Logic is much more willing this time around to flash both his unique charisma and artistic individuality across the board, and all the distinct variables coalesce on quite possibly the album’s watershed moment, “City of Stars.” Commencing with cooled harmonizing over a sprawling instrumental, Logic pens a breakup song with the genre he loves and reserves the waning moments for an impassioned confession, criticizing the racial politics of Hip Hop. He populates “Stainless” with the same breakneck rhymes that he first captivated audiences with on the underground and mixtape circuits.
As could be expected, “Paradise” neither marks the end of the narrative nor the album. Rooted in the same intergalactic ambiance of Outkast’s Aquemini days, the slow-burning track showcases a bevy of hypnotizing rhyme schemes to compliment its unmistaken testimonial essence. Along with “Never Been” and “Run It,” Logic more than clinches the album with an unfettered degree of sincerity about both the peaks and valleys of his career thus far, culminating in the concluding track, “The Incredible True Story.” At nearly 7 minutes, Logic amplifies the sentiment with his trademark defiant optimism and inspiration for his loyal fans. Piloting The Incredible True Story proverbial galaxies away from a sophomore slump, Logic is exhausting all of his creativity and wasting no time in his mission to reserve a place for himself in the Hip Hop history books. With every remarkable release, one can only hope that Logic will continue in this vein and not float too far into the stratosphere.
This review did not give a reason for 3 and 1/2 stars. What was the reason it did not get 5 if there was no criticism in the review?
I was wondering the same thing. Seems like the review is arguing for higher rating.
meh
Totally agree with 21
want to be friends?!
Found it kinda boring. Has a nice vibe too it but a down grade from his last. Not much replay value to it
A solid album, but i still prefer under pressure. Innermission,young jesus, city of stars and paradise are fire. Rating:4/5
Disappointed in this album. First album is a classic compared to this.
I stilll think under pressure is better tho. This album is still good.
Shout out to Logic. I will be purchasing this one.. November is Hiphop History Month.. Be Healthy y’all
Please explain the reason behind the 3.5 rating. The glowing review does not have even one criticism of the album and makes it sound as a 4 and 4.5 album.
Not as much replay value as UP. The creativity is there and the production was fantastic. At some point Logic’s songs just seem to sound the same. Glad he wasn’t conservative for sophomore album but it wasn’t as “great” as I would have hoped..
After reading the editorial I don’t see how they came to the conclusion of 3.5. They didn’t say one negative thing about it?
I was thinking the same thing.
truu
He has a great way of incorporating aspects of his idols’ music into his own individual tracks. For example, the drums from Amazing by Kanye and also the 808s auto-tune feel to the first half of City of Stars. He isn’t afraid to be himself on the tracks but also uses influences tastefully throughout. He still brings the positive message he lives by despite all of the criticism he gets for “copying other artists’ styles” and for his race. As he said in an interview, “I make music for the people who like it, not the ones who don’t.” One of the realest dudes out there. Much respect to him.
I also like that he feels no need for big name features to get his sales up.
James Kingston sounds slike a bitch
I gave it a 1 cause this dude looks like a fuckin nerdy honky fag
Retard
Stop tge racism
Definently one of the leaders of the new school. I am the greatest is the only song i didn’t like
Great album. I was sleeping on this dude. Only puzzling thing is the rating. You’d think the reviewer would give it a full score with the way he praised it/him. Nothing negative written yet 3.5?
Bruhhhh. All songs soung the same. This thing of I write, rap, produce, mix, etc. my damn self doesn’t seem to work well with these new dudes. It makes a monotone album. Wanted more producers and features.
Still better than Kendrick’s overly hyped attemp tho. (but then…)
Stainless is fire!
Awesome album
Logic could surpass kendrick. I’m a big fan of both artists, dust my thoughts.
Shut the fuck up forever. fuck you thoughts you idiot.
1 or 2 of the sounds sound similar to UP but the music itself is better than most of the crap that has been released this year. TPAB, Compton, Tetsuo & Youth and The Good Fight all great albums for 2015.
Would have given it a 4 1/2 but there was not an option.
dafuq? this is easily a 4.5/5 not 3.5. fuck off hhdx..
What’s with the weak rating at least a 4. AT LEAST! What a time to be alive, got 3.50 too and I wiped my ass with that shitty album. People are gonna see that rating a be like. Naaa, not good enough to buy or some shit like that. Just saying. Real recognize real.
That’s my rating.
Lyrics and production on point. 4.5 but I’ll round up.
Documentary2and 2.5 and before the money were also good albums
I noticed that logics lyricism and production improved alot than Under pressure. He has really evolved as an artist
It was alright.
Still suffers from style-biting at times, but not as much as Under Pressure. The skits make a lot of sense towards the end. Overall, I like how Logic took perhaps an overused narrative concept and made it unique to himself. An enjoyable album nonetheless!
Well. I guess it takes more time to understand what is good and Bad about the Album.
I like it very very much and i love the way logic puts his energy in music.
I wanna give it a 3.5/ maybe even 4, but after reading the review, thinking its more a 4.5 than 3.5, even a 4, but then the comments and rehashing decision making before blindly being a fan and upping because of that factor, I stick with 3.5 with tracks like Upgrade, Innermission, Lord Willin (3005 inspired assumption by myself and others), Never Been, Run It, and The Incredible True Story Title Track, I definitely take it over Under Pressure although I did spin that multiple times. Only I disagree with commenters opinion TITS has LESS replay value than UP, as I think it has more. Again, it is only a week in, and theres plenty of time for changing of mind, and what have you, but even tracks like Fade Away, Like Woah, Young Jesus, Stainless, and Paradise I enjoy a lot but appreciate the standout quality of the first mentioned, and as far as production goes, I just take I Am The Greatest as a professional way of having fun and stretching the limits and attempting to try simplistic and or more popular sounding beats and still comes off as listenable. All in all, there are times I argue with myself some things sound similar (to previous Logic tracks, or other artists flows, beats, concepts, etc) its all love in Hip-Hop and at the end of the day its quality music and I listen to it, so I can only speak for myself. 3.5 – 4 and I did purchase the physical copy, as I hope there is some type of visual relation to the storyline, because conceptually it was interesting and definitely something I’d be interested in seeing detailed further and possibly incorporated into a short film or music video concepts or something. Contact (Kanye – Amazing), Japanese Taiko drums tho was definitely unmistakable, but if I say so myself, I prefer Logics added sounds and change of tempo / bpm (production) in general.
4/5
5-Concept
3-Subject Matter (doesn’t make me go “got damn”)
4- Beats and instrumentation
Who writes these reviews? First of all Outkast’s Aquemini was not rooted in intergalactic ambiance, that was the ATLiens album.
Get your facts right…….Hiphopdx please get a writer who knows his hiphop.
Next thing, when you listen to this album. It is clear that Logic put effort into it. Not only form the concept but also the lyrics and topics of the songs. The space thing is not original, but he gave it a nice twist.
Young Thug got 4/5, how is that possible ? If Young Thug or any trap rapper, had the skill of Logic.
HipHop wouldn’t be in such a bad state.
If you make stupid music about dealing drug and stripclubs, in other words if you make stereotypical black music. You get high rating. If you make good creative hiphop, your don’t get acknowledged.
Good call. ATLiens is still one of my favorite albums!
I’ll be honest I didn’t listen to the full thing but Logic is just boring. Production is so simple, no features, and he’s one of those guys who raps about a ton of things within a song but never actually makes a song about something. “I am the greatest” was an obvious bite off Drake over a generic traprap beat. Just my 2cents, again haven’t heard it all but imo thats partly Logic’s fault.
hahahahahahaah…..
I didn’t listen to the album, but here is my review of it. Eat a dick.
Lol go listen to future. Taking a dump on an album when you didn’t even listen to all of it. FOH
the production is simple? haha got my laugh for the day
Logic’s storytelling is impressive and the production is very good.Concept of the album is good.A REAL HIPHOP ALBUM
I really enjoyed this album. I rate it a 5. Logic does a tremendous job of storytelling in this album. It is creative and refreshing to hear music with content other than that of the typical sex, money, drugs.
Very good. 4/5 rating.
PHENOMENAL production – good everything else – its not quite my lane but it is still definitely true artistry – sonically amazing. Would love an instrumental version to vibe out to at work. PLEASE LOGIC
yes the production is eargasm
SHit’s pretty dope. Gotta a little Kendrick to him flow wise. 4 easy.
very good muzik, only for real hip hop heads that like quality
I just don’t know how the likes of Hiphopdx would suggest this listen is any less than a 4 out of 5. Nothing Rick Ross has or will ever put out comes anywhere close to this. Conceptually..lyrically or sonically. It seems you’ve forgotten what Hip Hop really is among the countless RAP artists severely lacking in raw talent & creativity.
Lord Willin’ Instant Classic. Rest of the album is harder to replay over and over, but the work as a whole is straight fire. 5/5
Straight Fire!
very impressive production on this album. logic is maturing as an artist
On a par with j cole and kendrick right now!!
Just discovered this dude on Pandora….. he is SICK! A Straight Up MC. Love it Love it Love it so glad that Hip Hop is not dead bc of guys like him
Fine piece of art!!!
in my opinion, this album is one of the best I’ve heard in a while, his music just doesn’t get old to me.
Logic has fire lyrics with nice ass beats
Awesome album.