Written by: David Wiliams
Score 5.5/10
The pride of Louisville, Kentucky, Jack Harlow is back with his sophomore album Come Home The Kids Miss You. His debut album That’s What They All Say left much to be desired but did have two songs that grab people’s attention with the breakout single “What's Poppin” and “Tyler Herro” `who coincidently just won the NBA sixth man of the year award.
Jack is already a star. You can already see him in New Balance commercials and he reportedly will be starring in a remake of the film White Man Can’t Jump. No matter how ludicrous that sounds trying to fill Woody Harrelson’s Nike Air Command Force sneakers it’s still happening. He is easily relatable to a lot of his fans. Harlow has a personality as well that helps transcend people to the mainstream.
His goal for himself in the near future should be to headline festivals, top the charts consistently with number one albums, and be regarded as one of the best MCs of his generation. You can see the upward projection for him as an artist as well as his popularity. He needs a quality record to deliver on the expectations that fans and critics alike have for him to match his status.
Most of this album revolves around playboy bachelor lyrics throughout. Every song seems to involve some kind of new way to bed a different girl every night. There is a way to make this concept work, but he talks about the topic in an uncreative way that even comes off corny in some of the lyrics.
Photo Courtesy of Jack Harlow.
“Talk of the Town” has a promising piano key laced beat, but the production falls flat when the drums kick in along with the chorus which is just uninspiring. The first song on an album should be one of the highest quality songs you have made also setting the tone for what the listener should expect coming up. This fails in so many ways.
“Young Harleezy” is one of the better songs on the album. Snoop Dogg has a small cameo cosigning Harlow’s macking skills. “Rocking 990’s, not Jordans” Jack is always on-brand as the New Balance ambassador. Odds are the shoe company will find a way to work this quote onto a commercial soon.
The worst song on the album is the second single “First Class.” The chorus for the song is an absolute snooze fest. The lyrics are cringe-worthy as can be “Pineapple juice, I give her sweet, sweet, sweet semen.” Put this song on late at night and it would cure anyone’s insomnia.
One of the better songs on the album “Dua Lipa” is a fun song that has a catchy beat. Harlow must have heard the pop star’s recent single status and decided to shoot his shot. Who can blame him for that? Let’s see if his shot connects with her like Luka Doncic as he mentions in the record or bricks Russell Westbrook style.
If you are a mistress and are wondering “how come there are no songs about us?” Well, look no further because Jack has got you covered with not only one song about you but two. “Side Piece” has some questionable lyrics, but has a fun vibe. “Lil Secret” is a groovy song that has high replay value. “Ain’t nobody I love more, I just need more time” he raps, while also giving hope to all the side chicks out there that yes your fortune can change if you are patient.
Photo Courtesy of Jack Harlow.
The features on this album are subpar. Drake on “Churchill Downs” is on autopilot. It seems that when he doesn’t have anything pertinent to rap about automatically goes to default Pusha T subliminal shots. He still can’t come to terms with the beef he lost in 2018. Let that hurt go Drizzy move on. Justin Timberlake sounds anonymous on “Parent Trap.” Anyone could have sung that chorus. JT was not used correctly in this song. “Movie Star” with Pharrell seems to be going through the motions in this song. Also, Harlow doesn’t take advantage of quality production from one of the best producers in the game.
The best song on the record is “Poison” featuring Lil Wayne. The chorus which coincidentally is the catchiest on the album is almost a cut-and-paste job that could be from any Drake song over the last seven years. From the voice inflection to the lyrics it is striking in comparison.
The lead single “Nail Tech” is a good, but not a great song. The production with the trumpets sounds well produced. Jack does a decent job on this song with his lyrics, but once again through the hook, the part that is supposed to stick in your head can get annoying at times that might make you want to hit next when that part comes on.
After his second album, we can see what lane Jack Harlow wants to take in his career. He wants to be the next pop-rap king. With more care and consideration for his rap lyrics, choruses, and production we may see him with the number one spot in the distant future. Come Home The Kids Miss You is a step up from his debut record, but if he wants to be a superstar he needs his music to have higher quality.