On her all-too-brief EP
Survive the Summer,
Iggy Azalea attempts to reassert herself at the top of the female rap pack by reminding listeners of her lyrical dexterity and delivery via six tracks that barely clock in at 15 minutes. Fortunately, with a heavy dose of confidence and aggression, she proves her basic abilities with hardcore posturing, raunchy quips, and a heavy amount of boasting, making this a listenable (if not forgettable) diversion from a rapper trying to recapture the limelight. With
Azalea plagued by years of album delays and label issues, what was purported to be a full-length is just an EP, and a serviceable stopgap to buy her some time. The trap-heavy production keeps the Australian transplant firmly rooted in the South, especially on the
Wiz Khalifa-assisted "OMG," which could have been a
Gucci Mane joint. Unlike past hits where the dance-friendly beats and mainstream crossover potential helped propel her to Top Ten heights, they mostly take a back seat here, allowing
Azalea the space to reestablish herself with pure skill. She explains the tumultuous period between releases on the title track before diving headlong into a string of ominous and threatening hardcore rap recalling earlier mixtapes. "Tokyo Snow Trip" is her darkest and most menacing offering to date, taking vocal cues from
Ying Yang Twins, while the hypnotic
Tyga collaboration "Kream" channels
Wu-Tang with a direct sample and plenty of grit. "Hey Iggy" -- which turns
Toni Basil's "Mickey" into a love letter to herself (and her derriere) -- is the lightest entry on the EP, and it still sounds more intimidating than fun.
Survive the Summer presents
Azalea as a hardcore rapper with little desire to court the mainstream, which was once her bread and butter. Her flow is effective and the production pops, but it's just not as enjoyable with the fun sucked out of it. ~ Neil Z. Yeung