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One of the most anticipated hip-hop albums of the last decade, “The Fall Off” by J. Cole, was released Friday, Feb 6.
Initially teased in 2018, this is Cole’s seventh studio album and potentially his last album. Cole, considered by many as one of the best lyricists of this generation, deliverd a 24 album, split across two 12 song discs, each from differing perspectives of Cole’s life.
“Disc 29 tells a story of me returning to my hometown at age 29,” Cole said in an Instagram post. “A decade after moving to New York, accomplishing what would have seemed impossible to most, I was at the crossroads with the three loves of my life; my women, my craft, and my city.”
Disc 39 gives insight into a 39 year old Cole who returns home, older and a little closer to peace.
Despite the lengthy, one hour and 41 minute runtime, there are only a handful of lowlights on the album and it doesn’t feel bloated like many other longer hip-hop albums often do.
Still the double disc format is a risky creative concept, and while it mostly succeeds, there are some flaws. Disc 29 leans into the gritty hunger and scrappy lyricism that longtime fans associate with Cole’s earlier work, while Disc 39 reflects a more reflective and composed artist, something that allows newer generations of listeners to find something they connect with.
However, the album’s near two-hour runtime occasionally asks for more patience than necessary, often repeating similar messages or themes. Trimming off a few tracks from each disc could have resulted in a tighter, more focused project without sacrificing its narrative or emotional weight.
A big reason why the album, despite the bloat, remains engaging is because of its sonic variety we see on the album, from strong rapping performances on songs like “Legacy” and “The Fall-Off is Inevitable” to more introspective works like “I Love Her Again”, inspired by Common’s 90s Classic “I Used to Love H.E.R.” and “QuikStop”.
“If this truly is Cole’s farewell, he’s made sure it wasn’t a somber one. The Dreamville CEO delivers a hip-hop masterwork rooted in his affinity for ’90s rap, crafty storytelling, and steely wordplay,” Carl Lamarre said in his Billboard article.
Through the double disc format of the album, Cole is able to show us his growth from an artist’s hunger to succeed to becoming one of the best in the genre.
“The Fall Off does a masterful job of showing his evolution from feisty lion cub to the head of the pride,” Edward Bowser said on Soul in Stereo. “And it’s not just a throwback in narrative – Cole recaptures the spirit that defines his early mixtape days. His lyricism is much more aggressive and deliberate. His storytelling is filled with wide-eyed optimism, but he has a massive chip on his shoulder too.”
One critique of the album is that we don’t see Cole try anything new or push his artistic boundaries. Rather than experimenting with new sounds or concepts, Cole sticks to the formula that has defined his illustrious career – a choice that ultimately reinforces “The Fall Off” as a retirement album by giving us the Cole we grew up listening to.
The main theme of the album can be characterized by the track “Quik Stop”. The chorus of the song talks about Cole’s struggles as an artist that believes while his music has made him famous, it hasn’t caused any of the real change that is necessary. An idea that echoes much of Disc 29’s theme.
The verse of the song plays out like a short story where Cole meets a fan who used to be homeless at a gas station.
According to Genius, during the exchange, the fan explains how Cole’s music helped him through grief, homelessness, and loss. That moment reframes Cole’s own doubts, reminding him that his value isn’t tied to fame, money, or competition, but to the difference his words make in real people’s lives.
The track comes near the end of Disc 39, and highlights what the legacy of Cole’s hip-hop career will be.
“Cole was never meant to be the prince who would become king. In a game where everyone wants to walk among the gods, he’s the one with his feet on the ground,” Bowser said. “He’s the rap’s everyman – the people’s champ.”
Overall, Cole delivers a solid album that can be considered one of the best hip-hop projects of this decade. While many may not consider this to be his best work, it certainly has the potential to be. I’d give the album an 8.5 out of 10 rating.
