The song’s chorus is impossibly catchy-and captures Smino’s range of influences with remarkable precision: It’s a delightful vignette, but the appeal of “L.M.F.” extends beyond this bite-size Soul Food. The scent of doughy dinner rolls and freshly snapped green beans and weed smoke practically wafts through the frame. The video’s bright yellows, reds, and greens leap off the screen. Smino and his “monkey” (really a lemur) entertain guests with the help of a crew of aunties-and a version of Smino meant to look like his father, complete with gray hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and business-casual attire. One of them relays the sight of Smino “riding around with a whole monkey on his lap,” then quickly gets to the reason for her call: “That nigga done went and got real Hollywood or whatever, but I did hear he was having a kickback tonight though.” And so begins the charming conceit of the video: a giant dinner-turned-party, hosted at the rapper’s family home. The video for “L.M.F.,” the album’s first single, begins with a phone conversation between two women.
The 27-year-old’s newly released sophomore album, NØIR, builds on his years of making funky, soulful music. He weaves multiregional R&B into the tapestry of his rap. He delights in the indulgent poetics of slant rhyme. Louis–bred rapper twists his voice into dizzyingly distinct harmonies. Smino’s ability to create a different sound with each song he makes shows his uniqueness as an artist, and I’m excited to see what else he has in store for us soon.Smino isn’t afraid to get a little weird. However, I would still probably listen to the album through on shuffle, as the instrumentals throughout the piece of work are really what make it for me. While these were the songs I felt made “NOIR” for me, I also feel like there were a few filler songs throughout. The difference in the sound of the songs in this album really shows Smino’s versatility as an artist. The guitar solo at the end of the song is also creatively passionate, giving it an artistic vibe. Throughout the track, Smino and Ravyn Lenae’s ability to harmonize perfectly creates a beautiful, almost ethereal R&B sound to the song. Also featuring a layering of vocals is “MF GROOVE,” although the vocals in this song are much different. The lyrics throughout also make it particularly attractive, giving the song an interesting edge. What makes “KRUSHED ICE” interesting is the layering of vocals in the chorus and the coolness of the beat. The same can be said for “Z4L,” as the soothing beat and the catchiness of the lyrics create an infectious song that gets stuck in your head easily. “KLINK” stands out due to the experimental guitar riff used in the beat and the catchy lyrics throughout the song - it has a unique sound to it that really shows the individuality in his sound. Having listened to all the songs in “NOIR” several times already, I’ve found my own personal favorites -“KLINK,” “Z4L,” “KRUSHED ICE” and “MF GROOVE.” Each of these songs, although pretty different in sound and style, all exhibit Smino’s ability to produce consistent bops. From the unique songs he includes and the many comedic snippets/cultural references he sprinkles throughout the album, he creates a diverse body of music that brings a new perspective of what a hip-hop album can sound like. Listening to the album the whole way through is an experience, as it truly feels as if the artist is trying to immerse you in the artistry of the music and the soothing beats. While one song will have you bobbing your head to a futuristic beat, the next one will likely have you belting out notes to his soulful vocals. “NOIR” is a refreshing piece of work, with each song sounding completely different from the last one. Smino’s unique style is what makes his music stand out, and his new album, “NOIR,” only further diversifies his sound. Louis, where he grew up, throughout his discography, occasionally sneaking in cultural references.
Additionally, he puts an emphasis on prominent elements of black culture, specifically in St. His style, typically a perfect mix of funky R&B vocals and colorful hip-hop beats, is creative and experimental.
Smino, born Christopher Smith Jr., came onto the music scene around six years ago, originally gaining notoriety with his “blkswn” album in 2017.
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