Rye Rye – Go! Pop! Bang! (8.4/10)

Rye Rye!

After a long stint as MIA’s “fly girl,” Rye Rye has finally released a solo album. A serious ball of energy, Rye Rye’s Go! Pop! Bang! recalls memories of MIA’s Kala and Arular. The Baltimore native gives a strong nod to the Baltimore bass club scene.

The 808 is in full effect throughout the album as she brings speaker shredding bass and great beats throughout. Her vocal delivery is very familiar to fans of MIA (like myself). Unlike MIA, Rye Rye can sing choruses in tune. Sorry MIA, we love ya, but your rhymes are MUCH better than your singing.

G! P! B! is chock full of guest appearances… Akon, Robyn, and yes.. MIA graces the album too. This is one of the more fun new albums that I’ve heard in a while. Perfect summer windows-open, car cruising club bangers from start to finish… Well, almost to finish. Robyn guests on the last track which brings the album to an abrupt halt. She shows some range by incorporating a slow track in her repertoire, but it seems to be very out of place on the album. IMO, the album would had total cohesion without the last track.

Go! Pop! Bang! is an album where you know the “backup singer” has it in them and just needs a moment to shine in their own light, and Rye Rye has shone. I expect this album to be on very heavy rotation on my iPod throughout the summer, and you should rock it too.

Thumbs up, Rye. Excelsior approved.

- Moe Train