Let's Start Here
Let's Start Here | ||||
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Studio album by Lil Yachty | ||||
Released | January 27, 2023 | |||
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Length | 57:16 | |||
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Lil Yachty chronology | ||||
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Let's Start Here is the fifth studio album by American rapper Lil Yachty, released on January 27, 2023, through Motown Records and Quality Control Music. It is his first studio album since Lil Boat 3 (2020) and follows his 2021 mixtape Michigan Boy Boat. The album marks a departure from Lil Yachty's signature trap sound, being heavily influenced by psychedelic rock.
Let's Start Here received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200, earning 36,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
Background and release
In a January 2022 interview, Lil Yachty said his next project would be a "non-rap album", calling it "alternative" and "like a psychedelic alternative project. It's different. It's all live instrumentation."[4] In December 2022, a project of Yachty's titled Sonic Ranch leaked on the Internet.[5]
Lil Yachty officially announced the album on Instagram on January 17, 2023, posting the cover art, title, and release date. The cover is an AI-generated photograph of men and women wearing suits in a boardroom with "contorted facial features and warped smiles",[6] the cover was created by Jon Rafman.[7] Yachty's caption referred to it as "chapter 2", with Variety calling it "a potential redux" of the leaked Sonic Ranch.[6]
On January 24, 2023, Yachty released a "thriller-style" skit in promotion of the album titled "Department of Mental Tranquility", in which he arrives at the titular department and is asked a series of questions by the receptionist in a waiting room full of people behaving erratically. He then walks down a narrow hallway and into a bright white room.[8] The album was released on January 27, 2023.[9]
Promotion
The music video for the album's tenth track "Say Something" was released on January 27, 2023.[10] It was directed by Crowns & Owls.[11] The song debuted at number 24 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.[12]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.1/10[13] |
Metacritic | 73/100[14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Beats Per Minute | 75%[15] |
Clash | 7/10[16] |
Exclaim! | 8/10[17] |
HipHopDX | 3.4/5[18] |
Pitchfork | 6.0/10[3] |
Spectrum Culture | 75%[19] |
Sputnikmusic | 3.8/5[20] |
Let's Start Here was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received a weighted average score of 73, based on nine reviews.[14] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[13]
Jeff Ihaza of Rolling Stone praised the album, stating, "The rapper and musician's ambitious left-turn incorporates experimental rock and jazz with near-flawless execution, arriving at something that feels genuinely brand-new".[21] Exclaim! critic Alex Hudson said, "Sure, he did appear on a Tame Impala remix last year, but few could have expected such a vivid and exploratory psych album as Let's Start Here".[17] Fred Thomas of AllMusic praised the album, stating, "The cluttered labyrinth of weird experiments is held together by Yachty himself, still exhibiting the bold personality and curious spirit he showed on trap beats when singing emotively over psychedelic rock instrumentals".[2] Tom Johnson from Beats Per Minute enjoyed the album, saying, "While opinions will certainly be divided on Let's Start Here, it's undeniable that a rapper hasn't committed so impressively and effortlessly to a rock genre since Kid Cudi's Nirvana-inspired Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven. If anyone was going to do something this unexpected it was going to be Yachty".[15] Robin Murray of Clash remarked that the album abandons Yachty's previous "straight-up rap for half-sung, half-spoken interludes", finding that "the results – though patchy – contain some of his best work yet". Murray concluded that with "every clipped, Silk Sonic esque moment – step forward 'drive ME crazy!' – there are moments of meandering musicality, and uncertain songcraft" but overall it "seems to point to a fresh beginning for Lil Yachty".[16] Connor Flynn of Spectrum Culture said, "Despite its flaws, the album successfully blends psych and hip hop and puts a new spin on an old sound".[19]
Reviewing the album for HipHopDX, Rebecca Barglowski stated, "Let's Start Here is exciting at the first listen because the style is new to Lil Yachty himself. Alas, the shiny sheen of new experiences tends to dull over time and with repetition".[18] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork described the album as "a highly manicured and expensive blend of Tame Impala-style psych-rock, A24 synth-pop, loungey R&B, and Silk Sonic-esque funk, a sound so immediately appealing that it doesn't feel experimental at all". While Pierre complimented Yachty's "versatility" and for giving the "standout performance" on the "crowded project", Pierre remarked that he found Yachty's 2022 single "Poland" "stranger than anything here".[3] The Wire's Mosi Reeves opined that Let's Start Here "has a middlebrow sensibility" despite Yachty's "pretensions", viewing the album as being most effective "when he unleashes his oddball trill, an evocative sound that bland sentiments like 'So surreal, the vibes I feel' can't quite diminish."[22]
Year-end lists
Critic/Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Billboard | The 50 Best Albums of 2023 | 8 | [23] |
Complex | The Best Albums of 2023 | 10 | [24] |
Crack | The Top 50 Albums of the Year | 17 | [25] |
Esquire | The 20 Best Albums of 2023 | 13 | [26] |
Exclaim! | Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2023 | 38 | [27] |
NME | The Best Albums of 2023 | 50 | [28] |
Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of 2023 | 4 | [29] |
Commercial performance
Let's Start Here debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 36,000 album-equivalent units (including 4,000 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.[30] This became Lil Yachty's third US top-10 debut on the chart.[30] The album also accumulated a total of 41.34 million on-demand streams of the album's tracks.[30]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Black Seminole" |
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| 6:51 |
2. | "The Ride" |
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| 3:10 |
3. | "Running Out of Time" |
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| 4:29 |
4. | "Pretty" |
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| 2:42 |
5. | "Failure" |
| Portrait | 2:47 |
6. | "The Zone" |
| 4:09 | |
7. | "We Saw the Sun!" |
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| 5:31 |
8. | "Drive Me Crazy!" |
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| 3:49 |
9. | "I've Officially Lost Vision!!!!" |
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| 5:22 |
10. | "Say Something" |
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| 3:32 |
11. | "Paint the Sky" |
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| 3:05 |
12. | "Should I B?" |
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| 2:48 |
13. | "The Alchemist" |
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| 2:56 |
14. | "Reach the Sunshine" |
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| 5:58 |
Total length: | 57:16 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[31]
Musicians
- Lil Yachty – vocals (all tracks)
- Diana Gordon – vocals (1, 8, 9)
- Teezo Touchdown – vocals (2)
- Justine Skye – vocals (3, 6)
- Fousheé – vocals (4, 13)
- Khaya "Baby K" Cohen – background vocals (6)
- Ant Clemons – vocals (7)
- Benjamin Goldwasser – keyboards (8)
- Gillian Rivers – strings, strings direction (8, 10, 14)
- Jake Portrait – programming (9)
- Justin Raisen – background vocals (14)
- Daniel Caesar – vocals (14)
- Nick Hakim – vocals (14)
Technical
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Steve Fallone – mastering
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing
- Miles BA Robinson – engineering (1–3, 5–14), vocal programming (1–3, 8)
- Justin Raisen – engineering (1, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14)
- Jake Portrait – engineering (1, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13)
- Anthony Lopez – engineering (1, 10, 14)
- SadPony – engineering (2, 10)
- Gent Memishi – engineering (3, 4, 10–13), vocal programming (4, 10)
- Patrick Wimberly – engineering (5, 11, 14)
- Ainjel Emme – engineering, vocal programming (10)
- Adam Hong – mixing assistance
Charts
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[32] | 37 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[33] | 23 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[34] | 31 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[35] | 118 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[36] | 10 |
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[37] | 24 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[38] | 37 |
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[39] | 44 |
French Albums (SNEP)[40] | 109 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[41] | 50 |
Irish Albums (OCC)[42] | 27 |
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[43] | 18 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[44] | 11 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[45] | 11 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] | 13 |
UK Albums (OCC)[47] | 32 |
US Billboard 200[48] | 9 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[49] | 1 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[50] | 1 |
Release history
Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Ref. |
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Various | January 27, 2023 | [51][52] |
Notes
References
- ^ Breihan, Tom (January 27, 2023). "Lil Yachty's New Album Let's Start Here. Is A Wild Psychedelic Rock Odyssey". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Fred. "Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Pierre, Alphonse (February 1, 2023). "Lil Yachty: Let's Start Here Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (January 17, 2023). "Lil Yachty Announces New Album 'Let's Start Here'". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alex (January 17, 2023). "Lil Yachty Shared The Release Date And Creepy Cover Art For 'Let's Start Here,' His Much-Anticipated New Album". Uproxx. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Srour, Yousef (January 17, 2023). "Lil Yachty Reveals AI-Generated Album Cover for 'Let's Start Here,' Depicting Demented Boardroom of Executives". Variety. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Fact Focus: Jon Rafman". Fact. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Saunders, Brycen (January 24, 2023). "Lil Yachty Drops "Department of Mental Tranquility" Skit Ahead of Forthcoming Album". Hypebeast. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (January 27, 2023). "Lil Yachty Guides Listeners on a Trippy Journey with 'Let's Start Here' Album: Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Larisha, Paul (January 27, 2023). "Lil Yachty Says 'I Love You' Too Fast and Ruins the Vibe in 'Say Something' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ Elibert, Mark (January 28, 2023). "Lil Yachty Takes Rejection To The Extreme In Bizarre 'Say Something' Video". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty Chart History: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Let's Start Here by Lil Yachty reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Let's Start Here by Lil Yachty Reviews and Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Johnson, Tom (February 2, 2023). "Album Review: Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Murray, Robin (January 27, 2023). "Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Hudson, Alex (February 1, 2023). "Lil Yachty's Psych Rock Enthusiasm Is Contagious on 'Let's Start Here.'". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Barglowski, Rebecca (February 8, 2023). "Lil Yachty 'Let's Start Here' Is A Bold Departure That May Leave Some Fans Adrift". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Flynn, Connor (February 6, 2023). "Lil Yachty: Let's Start Here". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Rowan5215 (February 2, 2023). "Review: Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ihaza, Jeff (January 30, 2023). "With 'Let's Start Here' Lil Yachty Emerges as Music's Boldest Creative Director". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Reeves, Mosi (April 2023). "Hiphop & R&B". The Wire. No. 470. pp. 68–69.
- ^ Brown, Eric Renner (December 6, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ McKinney, Jessica (December 14, 2022). "The Best Albums Of 2023". Complex. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Kazandjian, Robert. "The Top 50 Albums of the Year". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ McNeal, Bria (December 1, 2023). "The 20 Best Albums of 2023". Esquire. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ Barnabe, Dylan (November 30, 2023). "Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2023". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Thomas (December 8, 2023). "The best albums of 2023". NME. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (November 30, 2023). "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c Caulfield, Keith (February 5, 2023). "Tomorrow X Together Lands First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ Motown and Quality Control (2023). Let's Start Here (Vinyl liner notes). Lil Yachty. Motown and Quality Control. B003692801.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here." (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here." (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here." (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here." (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty – Suomen virallinen lista" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here." (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "2023 5-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 3, 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here.". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (January 27, 2023). "Lil Yachty Guides Listeners on a Trippy Journey with 'Let's Start Here' Album: Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Yachty – Let's Start Here. [2 LP]". Record Store Day. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- v
- t
- e
- Teenage Emotions (2017)
- Lil Boat 2 (2018)
- Nuthin' 2 Prove (2018)
- Lil Boat 3 (2020)
- Let's Start Here (2023)
- Bad Cameo (2024)
- Lil Boat (2016)
- Summer Songs 2 (2016)
- Michigan Boy Boat (2021)
- "One Night"
- "Minnesota"
- "It Takes Two"
- "Peek a Boo"
- "Ice Tray"
- "Who Want the Smoke?"
- "Oprah's Bank Account"
- "Split/Whole Time"
- "Hit Bout It"
- "Poland"
- "Strike (Holster)"
- "Tesla"
- "The Secret Recipe"
- "A Cold Sunday"
- "Hate Me"
- "Broccoli"
- "After the Afterparty"
- "iSpy"
- "From the D to the A"
- "Hip Hopper"
- "Marmalade"
- "Faking It"
- "Gucci Flip Flops"
- "Solitaire"
- "Magic in the Hamptons"
- "NBAYoungBoat"
- "Mickey"
- "66"
- "Yacht Club"
- "T.D"
- "The Black Seminole"
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png)