Mike Stud created a jockish fratboy image with his "College Humor" single, but after graduating college in 2011, the former Duke pitcher attempted to shed that image on his debut full-length,
Relief. "Thank You" finds
Stud explaining that he has feelings behind the party façade, and goes on to explain that drinking whiskey is merely a crutch to deal with depression. Quite a change. Especially considering the majority of the rest of the album is about scoring ladies and partying til you puke (with sports metaphors thrown in for good measure).
Drake plays a large influence, not just in
Stud's attempts to take it emo, but in his vocal and production style. That said,
Relief is more likely the type of album that would appeal to fans of
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis or
Asher Roth. ~ Jason Lymangrover