J. Cole’s new project, “The Fall Off,” is a swan song for the Grammy-winning artist as his last album after two decades of rapping. The 24-track album surrounds topics like his home city of Fayetteville, North Carolina, his craft and his relationships. “The Fall Off” showcases excellent lyricism and composition but feels lacking as a final outing.
Cole’s signature lyricism shines through songs such as “Two Six” and “Drum n Bass,” which display unique rhyme schemes and composition. For example, he flawlessly rhymes “armor,” “parlors” and “start up” within the same verse in “WHO TF IZ U.”
One of the biggest brilliances of “The Fall Off” is its reverence for hip-hop. Cole weaves his appreciation for the genre with nods to rappers like Nas, Outkast, Biggie and 2Pac. The song “I Love Her Again” is a personification of hip-hop, tapping into his vulnerability. His moments of passion feel sincere, as Cole shows a clear understanding of the rap lineage and his place in it.
The album also conveys Cole’s thoughts behind every compositional choice. The album is split into two discs, titled Disc 29 and Disc 39, signifying his evolving mentality throughout his 10-year career. Disc 29 dives into Cole’s earlier years as a musician, embracing his bravado and his want for recognition: in “Run Like a Train,” he raps about his desire to leave an impact through his music, while “WHO TF IZ U” embodies the arrogance a of his youth-year career .
On the other hand, Disc 39 explores slower and more introspective themes, such as relationships, peace and maturity, as Cole opts to express vulnerability through his music rather than showcase his rap talent. “Old Dog” even uses a similar beat to “WHO TF IZ U,” while providing a retrospective on his career successes. On “The Fall-Off is Inevitable,” Cole reflects on his future grandchildren, representing the family that he will turn to after stepping away from music
A big theme throughout the album is self-reflection. He’s able to look back on who he used to be and try to examine his humble beginnings as an aspiring rapper. In a way, Cole’s album is meant to reconcile his two selves — the young, ambitious artist with a massive career ahead of him, and now the seasoned veteran.
Cole’s reflection does an excellent job of displaying his personal growth. In “SAFETY,” he revisits themes of queer identity and his youthful discomfort around the subject. Cole has a history of using slurs in his songs, such as in “Villuminati” or “Pi.” By addressing his past immaturity, he is able to reflect on his history through a mature lens.
While the album is very thoughtful, it lacks a sense of urgency. As a final project, “The Fall Off” feels like a resume of his career, with the only reprieve being the reflection in Disc 39. He calls himself “the greatest rapper of the century” in “Drum n Bass,” but he doesn’t do anything progressive or ambitious to prove it. This album doesn’t include many of the experimental strong choruses or chronological narratives seen in previous songs, like 2013’s “Power Trip” or 2014’s “Wet Dreamz”.
For all its excellence, “The Fall Off” doesn’t live up to its overwhelming expectations as Cole’s swan song or the culmination of his layered legacy in the world of rap. The album is strong and personal, but despite his obvious talent, it doesn’t reshape any boundaries or push any limits. As a final farewell, it lands more like a graceful bow than a mic drop.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Viking helmets
