Okay so i gave the album a second listen on my morning run, got to listen to it more intimately.
In terms of writing and musically, the album is STELLAR. Em's lyrics, flow and concepts are better than we've ever heard from him. This is especially true of his hooks, there are some brilliantly written chorus' on this album. And this is definitely his most musical album to date, the instrumentation is very dramatic and well composed.
However whilst listening i cant help but let my "producer's ear" kick in and point out a few "glitches" in the album. There are just a few little issues in the production side of things that stop great written songs becoming incredible.
For example on "Stay Wide Awake", Em does a fantastic job writing the hook, but the way it's been recorded stops it goin to that extra level. There are vocals overlapping, the HPF takes away intensity and it just sounds like a reference. The vox should be layered, spread out and take center stage, but they kinda just sit behind the instruments.
Also (i'm gonna catch grieeeffff for sayin this lol) some of the drums are a little too overpowering. Sometimes they are just too heavy and drown out the other instruments and the vocals.
I'm aware this was just the leak though and these grievances could very well be solved in the mastered version. Cant pass judgement on anything til you buy that CD on May 19th...Which i will definitely be doing!!
Fav tracks: Beautiful; 3 A.M.; Stay Wide Awake; Underground; Deja Vu