Chicago rapper Famous Dex,  also known simply as Dex, released his highly anticipated debut album “Dex Meets Dexter” on April 6. The release came after the rapper achieved mainstream recognition with his hits “Pick it Up” and “JAPAN.” The 14 track album includes the aforementioned songs, previously released as singles, as well as 12 additional tracks, with some featuring artists such as A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Diplo and Drax Project.

Dex Meets Dexter,” the rapper’s first full-length album, was first announced in November 2017 through a YouTube video, but the project’s release date was pushed back several times before finally being released in April. The album was generally received with positive reviews, with many congratulating Dex. Prior to “Dex Meets Dexter,” Dex had released seven mixtapes that were met with local success, but the album further propelled him into the public eye.

The album opens with “DMD,” an upbeat and catchy intro that is reminiscent of certain verses from “Pick It Up,” the rapper’s most popular song to date. Dex raps about the success he has enjoyed since breaking out into the spotlight, a common subject in his songs.

The next track, “JAPAN,” was released as a separate single before the album. The song’s success is largely a result of the fun, light beat and catchy hook. The lyrics are easy to follow and the song’s production leaves fans coming back for another listen.

Take Her,” however, fell rather flat despite featuring Wiz Khalifa, a prominent rapper who has released a number of chart-topping albums and singles. The song lacks a unified beat, as Dex raps at random intervals, and falls short in original lyrics, as he repeats the chorus a few times too many. Khalifa’s verse is rather short, with the bulk of his influence in repeating various words after Dex throughout the song.

The remainder of the songs on the album, focusing on Dex’s lifestyle after catapulting into the spotlight, contribute to the album’s listening time of 39 minutes. Coupled with similar sounding beats and the heavy use of autotune, songs such as “Said So” and “XOXO” become lost in the lengthiness of the album. The album would have benefited greatly had filler songs like “Chump” and “Them Days” been cut to shorten the album, and if Dex rapped about a wider variety of subjects.

Overall, Dex’s album makes up for what it lacks in lyricism with memorable melodies and his clear-cut development as a breakout artist.