Los Angeles rapper Buddy has been making noise since 2011 and, after a pair of EP releases in 2017, he is back with his debut studio album, Harlan & Alondra. The 12-track RCA Records release is undeniably one of the best projects of the year. It carries a smooth, easy-to-listen sound throughout the project, but also features tracks like the A$AP Ferg assisted, politically-driven banger "Black." Harlan & Alondra can be listened to for its attractive melodies and irresistible rhyme schemes, or it can be picked apart to reveal the introduction to Buddy's story about growing up in LA. Put together, this album contains everything a debut should – a firm definition of the artist's sound direction, great raps, a small variety of purposeful features, meaningful storytelling, and probably anything else one might think should be in a great debut.
Harlan & Alondra sounds like Buddy took his time and was patient enough to make sure he put his everything into crafting a collection of songs to accurately represent him. From the moment the opening track gets going the tone is set – Buddy found purpose in every minute of the album. Personal highlights include the catchy single "Hey Up There" with Ty Dolla $ign, "Trouble On Central," and the Guapdad 4000-assisted "Shameless." Check out Harlan & Alondra up above.
Connect with Buddy: Twitter | SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram
