In front of us the latest studio LP & the 10th overall from Ukrainian-American lyricist Your Old Droog. Breaking out through his self-titled debut, many actually first thought he was an alter ego of Nas given that their voices are somewhat similar. He eventually became a legend in his own right off later projects such as Packs as well as It Wasn’t Even Close, TIME & the Nicholas Craven-produced YOD Wave. The 4 extended plays he gave us afterwards YOD Stewart, Yodney Dangerfield, The Yodfather & The Shining weren’t as great in my opinion yet most certainly had their highlights at the same time. Coming off Movie along with the anything’s possible & YOD Serling EPs however, he’s sticking to his Bread & Butter.
“You Know How That Girl” kicks things off reminding the world of Droog’s flawless style whereas “Brighton Beach” featuring Evidence takes a more soulful approach instrumentally suggesting all these rappers who’re nowhere near their level are better off working jobs when there’s no lies told. The title track produced by Cartune Beatz gives off a nostalgic vibe talking about artists he grew up listening to becoming fans of his until the lead single “Pavlovian Effect” featuring A-Reece & Masta Ace goes for a conscious boom bap direction.
Oddisee appears for “Thinking” so they can talk about the only time where they don’t have something in their mind being when they go to sleep at night while “I Appreciate You” ends the 1st leg with this smooth dedication to YOD’s soulmate. “Symphony” begins the 2nd half of the album with an organ-inflicted beat talking about how great his life is leading into “Therapy” admitting he’s going through the motions & still not knowing who he is as a grown man.
“Schadenfreude” hooks up this dreamy Conductor Williams instrumental including a witty bar out the gate referring to Stove God Cook$’ issues with Babygrande Records while the 2nd & final single “I Don’t Care” blends jazz rap & neo-soul thanks to Flying Lotus shrugging off what anyone says of him. “Hunter Biden” drumlessly points out those around you hiding when shit ain’t perfect only to come back once it’s smoothened out just before “Impression Control” finishes Bread & Butter dissing the soft.
Providing some comfort food for fans of 90s east coast hip hop & simultaneously making a point regarding what makes that sound so perennial, Your Old Droog returns to Nature Sounds for the first time in 4 & a half years drawing a huge bulk of Bread & Butter’s inspiration from his youth when his family would thinly spread caviar across plain bread. There are some points where I feel like the production could’ve been better, but the lyrical balance between braggadocio & reflection makes the album worth listening.
Score: 7/10