Right now, Megan Thee Stallion is where most artists want to be — wherever you look in the world of hip-hop, the Houston rapper is right at the heart of it, setting the agenda rather than following it. Her third album ‘Megan’, then, could not come at a better time.
Right out of the gate, Megan sounds more alert and aggressive than ever. “I just wanna kick this shit off by sayin' fuck y'all / I ain't gotta clear my name on a motherfuckin' thing,” she yells into the mic before a creeping piano-led beat steadily builds to a bassy trap neck-snapper.
That energy flows into the dangerously catchy Rattle and plants a flag in the sand stylistically for the general tone of the record.
Even by the sexually supercharged standards of Megan’s work to date, Broke His Heart is about as graphic as they come — sex and gratification are a major currency and she dials up intensity to eye-watering levels. You already know what Downstairs DJ is about.
But, for all its star-wattage, filthy fun and swagger, the production feels subpar. At times ‘Megan’ is horribly mixed, with adlibs way too high and vocal tracks ending abruptly, and it feels rushed.
The other major issue is how one-note it becomes across its 52 minute runtime, both in its delivery and subject matter. Even when the beats soften on tracks such as Spin or add a layer of funk as on Worthy, Megan attacks the vocals in the same way as she does statement tracks like the GloRilla-featuring Accent.
And yet, Megan pulls things back from the brink thanks to some creative decisions that do succeed in feeling fresh. On album highlight Otaku Hot Girl, Megan dives into her love of anime and Jujutsu Kaisen, while Mamushi features stellar work from Japanese rapper KOHH (credited here as Yuki Chiba).
The vulnerability behind Moody Girl, though, offers the LP’s finest moment. “So many friends, but I still feel lonely / How come none of y'all call to check on me?” Megan asks, highlighting the insecurities and anxieties that hide in the cracks of the fearsome aesthetic that has catapulted her to stardom. It’s a rare moment of realness that promises plenty for the future.
Megan Thee Stallion Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sun July 14 2024 - MANCHESTER Co-op Live
Tue July 16 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena Birmingham
Wed July 17 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
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