Just months after the release of his triumphant post-prison comeback,
Everybody Looking, the ever-prolific
Gucci Mane returned with
Woptober.
Guwop's tenth official album is -- as the solid-ice bust on the album cover suggests -- an icy-cold affair. Proving that incarceration couldn't slow him down, the 13 tracks are packed with typical boasts, all come-at-me defiance and bravado. Since his catalog can be daunting for the casual listener -- dozens of mixtapes were issued during his two years behind bars alone -- it's worth pointing out the highlights. "Bling Blaww Burr" menaces with horror movie production courtesy of
Metro Boomin and a fearsome turn from
Young Dolph. The only other guest on
Woptober is
Rick Ross, whose booming delivery elevates the catchy single "Money Machine." Haunted by money, drugs, and women, the two kings sound almost weary with power.
Gucci's frequent collaborator
Zaytoven lends his trademark production to a handful of tracks, the best of which is the popping "Icy Lil Bitch." Beside the typical themes commonly found on a
Gucci Mane record, "Addicted" stands out for its startling self-reflection. Like a peek into his diary, "Addicted" is a confessional that tackles a litany of sins: addiction, sex, diamonds, guns, gambling, cars, you name it. As he admits to a laundry list of vices, he's also atoning, taking responsibility for everything he's done wrong. It's a nice change of pace for the trap master. When the required brags and posturing die down, this honesty is refreshing and moving. When wading through his massive repertoire, this is the standout that makes
Woptober worth it. ~ Neil Z. Yeung