I first heard of CyMarshall Law when he appeared on Snow Goon’s project Black Snow and I have been a fan ever since.
CyMarshall has a certain vibe to his flow that always brings me to a happy place regardless of the topic. II was hyped when I heard about his new concept album Imperfectly Perfect because I was on board with the idea. It dropped back on September 7th and is available for purchase now.
I was impressed by the fact that he produced the album in its entirety which is dope. If you haven’t peeped the album join me on a Scy adventure and let’s listen together. Here is my track by track breakdown.
You can find the link at the end of the review. Check it out!
Track 1: Paint a Picture Intro ft. Nyari, Azari and Orion
This was a cute opening intro. Sweet moment between Cymarshall Law and his daughter, sprinkled with a little knowledge as well as hits us with the project name…slick.
Track 2: Bruce Lee Said
This song is so 90s. I’m not saying that like it’s dated. I fuck with it. Just the whole vibe… the beat, the flow, Bruce Lee. It has me feeling nostalgic. Throwing this one * in rotation
Track 3: Misunderstood ft. Elsadie
Okay you guys know how I feel when it comes to singing features on hip-hop. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Elsadie has a nice voice… and to be honest I do like this track, even if I’m not a fan of mixing the genres. I don’t think this track needed a singing feature but most people will probably dig it. Peep it for yourself.
Track 4: The Dream Stealer
One of the things that I judge on when giving my final score is placement. I can fuck with this as a solo track but at this stage this project could use a little hype. It’s been all one level so far.
Track 5: Shine
This is a decent track. The production is ill.
Track 6: Still Painting Skit ft. Nyari
Cute skit once again. I understand the placement. I’m hoping the energy level picks up after this break. I also love the interaction between him and his daughter.
Track 7: Imperfectly Perfect
This is the title track on the album. I really wish this one would have been my favorite track but right now Bruce Lee said is the contender. Once again I am digging the beat though.
Track 8: Murda Dem ft. Black Belt Poemz
Okay this is dope. I definitely needed this track right here. This is the energy level we needed right at this moment. *in rotation
Track 9: Soccer Practice Ride Skit ft. Anzari
I feel like this skit…while I like the message…is placed way too early. The first part of the album set us for one vibe with a skit break, then two higher energy tracks and then another skit break. I just started getting in my zone. On a personal note I love the knowledge he’s dropping to his kids but as a listener it put me out of my zone.
Track 10: Champion Pedigree
I get this is a storyline concept project at this point. The mini lessons are the intro to the next song but I really need Cymarshall to take me in another direction at this point. We are at track 10 and I still feel energy wise, while the production is good it doesn’t really make the play through an easy listen.
Track 11: Damn Skit ft. Tyshar
I understand why these skits exist. I understand why they were included on the project. It still just takes you out of the moment. And definitely placement again. Too early for another skit.
Track 12: The Bad Guy
I’ll be the bad guy on this one. Not my favorite track. Again great on it’s own… just not at this point in.
Track 13: Orion Soul
I really like this one. As a solo track I can vibe with it but again on the play through I’m having a hard time being excited for the next track.
Track14: The Same Guy
Now this is another track that I like …as a stand alone. If I heard this as a single I would vibe with it much more but at this point in the project it is starting to feel like the energy has not shifted much. I listened to this the first time while driving and I felt like at this point I would have to switch to another track.
Track 15: The Warning ft. Ace Wonda (Cuts by Phillip Lee)
I fuck with this heavy. Plus it has cuts! And you know how I love my cuts. I needed more of this!! *in rotation
Track 16: What Do You Think? Skit ft. Nyari
This is the perfect closing. PERFECT.
Okay so I have to be honest and say although I’m a fan of Cymarshall Law and like I said before he has that quality of flow in his voice that always sounds a little island vibe, a little hiphop with a hint of song… I was not 100 percent feeling this project. Now don’t get me wrong. I could listen to ANY of these tracks sans skits and recognize skill. His lyricism is ill. I just can’t do it all in one sitting. It felt a little one note to me. The placement was off and there wasn’t much of a shift in energy levels. On my second listen through I played it on shuffle but it was not an improvement because the skits didn’t make sense anymore. You have to play this project in order which makes it felt like one long track. Now hear me out. On a master shuffle playlist I wouldn’t skip any of these. I would let the song rock. So I’m a little conflicted.
Now normally I would just post my overall score and be done with it but I was conflicted. So I reached out and had a conversation with Cymarshall because I wanted to understand his view on his project. After talking to him the album made more sense. His life as an artist is well… Imperfectly Imperfect. I gotta tell you I loved the skits and the relationship he has with his children. But on the project it takes the listener out of the zone.
But knowing that he completed this project by himself, everything from production to the artwork, by himself, during and months after just having a new baby…many artists couldn’t do it. And that’s exactly the point. That’s life. It continues and doesn’t care what you personally have going on. Bills are still due, kids still have their needs that come first. Life is…life. But at the same time you have to put in work for your passion. Like blogging. I let my busy life take me away from something that I love. So if anything I gained inspiration from this album. To make time for the things that’s important to me. We have just this one life after all.
Then the outro.. I’m serious when I said it’s perfect. Because in the end as an artist you put your blood sweat and tears into it. It doesn’t matter what I think (okay yeah kinda … my opinion holds weight lol) nah for real though. It really DOESN’T matter what I think or anyone else thinks. In the end Cymarshall Law made the album he NEEDED to make. And if he’s proud of what he put out…there you go.
Overall: B (for placement and energy)
