He sat on David Letterman’s couch, successfully finished two world tours, stars in his very own web-TV-show viewed by millions of fans and has recently released the major record »Mr. Wonderful«: In less than five years, Action Bronson has turned from an occasional rapper into a superstar, shining far beyond the rap-context. Like no other, he knows how to combine authenticity and entertainment with a just-don’t-give-a-fuck-attitude, also adapting this winning formula to his LP-debut for Atlantic/Vice: »I got a brand new car/I got a jazz guitar«, Bronsolini warbles on the opener produced by Mark Ronson. From classical Bronson-cuts via familiar beat-deliverers and insane absurdities from the eternal sidekick Big Body Bees, the listener is taken to the jewels »Terry« and »Actin Crazy«, which were already introduced in advance and which definitely stand out. Especially on the latter, Drake’s house producer, Noah »40« Shebib, demonstrates his skills on one of his very few outsourced productions with backwards flipping samples. So far, so typical, until the grotesque interlude »Thug Love Story 2017 The Musical« introduces the record’s middle part, in which Action doesn’t miss the chance of singing a whole track. It sounds quite odd and will probably irritate most fans from day one, but the free spirit can’t be forced into a corset (no pun) and couldn’t care less about conventions. The following »Baby Blue« is the record’s obvious hit, well danceable and supported by Chance The Rapper. Then, Producer Oh No processes rare German rock of the 80s on »Only in America«, serving as a perfect appetizer for the crowning finale »Easy Rider«, which hasn’t lost any of its magic since the release in the summer of 2014. After having passed odd and hilarious lines, colorful instrumentation and bizarre ideas, the rollercoaster ride comes to an end after almost 50 minutes, and the listener is left feeling more than entertained. Action Bronson leaves all the deep messages to the Kendricks and J. Coles of this world – he’s a natural entertainer and what a piece of entertainment this is!
Mr. Wonderful
