Coops – “No Brainer” (Album Review)
Here we have the 4th studio LP from London, England, United Kingdom emcee/producer Coops. Introducing himself in 2013 off his full-length debut What Do You See? to mixed reception, the sophomore effort Lost Soul would be more positively received & the last album God Complex at the beginning of the previous year would be released to moderate feedback although it did catch the attention of High Focus Records. The latter wound up signing Coops & he’s ready to make his official debut under the historic Hove, East Sussex underground imprint with a No Brainer.
“Timing” starts us off hopping over a cloudy, self-produced trap instrumental talking about pissing on all of his enemies & getting money whereas “Dreams (All Mine)” takes a moodier vibe to the beat wanting to hear the love of his life moaning when he shouldn’t be calling her whatsoever. The 3rd single “What You Want” psychedelically promises his girl that he’ll tell her everything she’d like to hear leading into “Wrongs & Rights” talking about how he’s never known an ordinary life because he’s an extraordinaire.
Meanwhile on “Heartbreaker”, we have Coops over these pianos & hi-hats admitting that he should’ve warned this woman from the get go of him being good at breaking hearts just before the 4th & final single “Jetpack” talks about not wanting to stay broke because he comes from absolutely nothing. “L.O.V.E.” goes for a synth-heavier vibe instrumentally asking if those listening can feel the melodies prior to the 2nd single “Bob Dylan” cautions he’ll still kill anyone he doesn’t like despite chillin’ like a villain.
“Mac n’ Cheese” continues to delve deeper down the 2nd half No Brainer returning to the boom bap trying to feed some of that good ol’ fashioned soul food to the public & nobody doing this music shit the way he can but after “Respect” jazzily suggests that those around him should learn & show admiration towards his musical accomplishments in the past 5 years, “Think About It” vividly details him having 3rd degree heartburns due to a woman he’s no longer speaking to stealing his heart like it was a burglary.
The song “Constellations” continues to discuss the themes of love knowing this person would find their way similarly to an asteroid hurdling itself towards the globe while “Pass the Mic” featuring Fliptrix, Leaf Dog & ReXx finds the quartet over a vintage boom bap beat trading hardcore bars with each other, with Flip & Leaf’s contributions sticking out more than ReXx’s in my opinion. The lead single “That Jazz” closes by combining jazz rap & boom bap saving some of the most charismatic performances for last.
Showcasing the versatility of Coops’ craft containing many sounds & moods over the course of 41 minutes, No Brainer represents the different approaches when he was creating his High Focus debut nearly reaching the same caliber of Lost Soul in addition to offering a little something for everyone & displaying everything which makes him a good signing for the label. The production ranges from more experimentally modern soundscapes to hardcore traditional boom bap & Coops himself travels beyond the mundane in favor of uncharted territories.
Score: 7/10
