Yes, a brand new studio LP & the 5th overall from California emcee/production duo Gangrene has arrived. Consisting of The Alchemist & Oh No representing Los Angeles & Oxnard respectively, the latter of whom’s the younger brother of one of my top 10 producers of all-time Madlib & the other so happens to be yet another top 10 producer of mine. They’ve put out a total of 4 full-length albums along with a couple EPs together over the past 16 years & are coming off Heads I Win, Tails You Lose back in 2024 marking their return after almost a decade to explain that the position each of them are in is Better Than McDonald’s.
“Note Ascension” hops over a raw Alchemist instrumental to get things going taking shots at rappers who’re out of their element whereas “Forever” turns up the grittiest so the pair can discuss being around eternally. “The Xtract” featuring Estee Nack finds the trio linking up over a gully Oh No beat to drop off hardcore verses without the need of a hook just before “King Taco” featuring Ab-Soul soulfully suggests a lil bit of hate will take you a long way.
Meanwhile on “Muscle Head”, we have Gangrene advising to keep playing your role for the scriptwriters leading into the drumless “Gas Factory” featuring Rome Streetz going full battle rap mode. “Errybody” featuring Armand Hammer continues the 2nd half with the most abstract moment here while “Microscopic Manner” featuring Meyhem Lauren references the late WWE Hall of Famer, the shortest reigning WWE Champion & former WWE Tag Team Champion André the Giant.
“Run Downs” winds down the last leg of Better Than McDonald’s asking for God to have mercy on them since neither could give a fuck less running up their money while the boom bap-tinged “Sasquatch” featuring Boldy James talks about pushing the pedal to the max without crashing. “Proper Etiquette” featuring Wildchild sends it all off observing the issue of everyone wanting to be loud instead of adequate, which they clarify isn’t a weakness.
You know? I’m grateful we didn’t have to wait another decade for Gangrene to drop another album, but Better Than McDonald’s still might be my least favorite in their discography. In no way shape or form am I trying to insinuate that the music itself has nothing interesting going on because both members deliver & so do the increased number of guest appearances, I just wish Uncle Al would stop trolling people using AI generated artworks regardless of him confirming that it’s a painting.
Score: 7/10