Album Review: SET IT OFF by Offset
Album Review: SET IT OFF by Offset
Offset's expansive sophomore solo project presents a raw, sensual, and occasionally isolated emotional landscape.
“I’m Michael, I’m not no Jermaine!”— Offset on “JEALOUSY”
Lifelong companions and family members, Migos’ unique skills continually elevated each other. While Quavo was the charismatic entertainer and Takeoff the cohesive element, Offset emerged as the unpredictable factor. His early days in the public eye were marked by “Free Offset” T-shirts, worn by his group members during his incarceration in DeKalb County Jail, Georgia, for violating probation. He distinguished himself as the driving lyrical talent behind the group’s chart-topping hit, “Bad and Boujee.”
Offset’s tweet from September 2022 indicated that his sophomore solo album was slated for a November release. However, the untimely death of Takeoff, his Migo comrade and kin, outside a Houston entertainment venue on November 1 profoundly affected him. The brotherhood among Takeoff, Offset, and Quavo had propelled them to the pinnacle of rap music in the 2010s.
Fast forward four years after his initial solo venture, 2019’s Father of 4, and we find Offset in a transformative phase with his latest album, SET IT OFF. Now a father to five children, he is grappling with the emotional toll of losing a close friend and collaborator, all while managing the complexities of his high-profile union with Cardi B. She makes two appearances on the album, most notably on the album’s first single, “JEALOUSY,” which samples Three 6 Mafia and “FREAKY.” The album also showcases Offset’s vocal precision and rhythmic flair, particularly in collaborations with various artists. The production, featuring new collaborations with Boi-1da and Vinylz, complements his established partnerships with Southside and Metro Boomin.
SET IT OFF marks a conscious effort by Offset to refocus attention on his musical craft. The first track, “ON THE RIVER,” employs a soulful sample from Kirby Lauryean’s “Black Leaves,” signaling that this album aims for a grander, more resonant impact than his first solo endeavor. His previous album, Father of 4, was a mixed bag, oscillating between the pitfalls of fame and a handful of trap anthems.
From the moment the album begins, Offset doesn’t merely declare his independence; he fervently celebrates it. “I’m telling the truth, I became the one when I got out the group,” he articulates in a rapid-fire cadence. Amid contractual disagreements, Offset reveals that he acquired the rights to his music from the Migos label Quality Control. This move ignited legal battles and public disputes with the label’s executives.
The mood was inadvertently somber, reflecting the challenges of living under the microscope of public scrutiny. Yet, it had its moments of clarity, especially in the overlooked gem “Red Room,” where Offset gets personal with his life and critiques law enforcement and societal gatekeepers while reflecting on his past experiences in a raw, unfiltered manner.
Offset aims to generate a substantial impact, leaning on tried-and-true methods. The album cover for SET IT OFF parallels familiar skydiving visuals channeling his inner Michael Jackson, notably Metro Boomin’s NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES. A handful of tracks feature collaborations with Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack collective, including rap vocalist Don Toliver on “WORTH IT,” producer-songwriter Dougie F on seven tracks, and Scott himself on “SAY MY GRACE.”
The album’s richness emanates from a cadre of producers specializing in crowd-pleasing rap genres. Examples include Daoud Anthony and Nick Papa’s West Coast-inspired bass on “Broad Day,” the tranquilizing atmosphere of Dez Wright and Offset’s “DISSOLVE,” and the emotive acoustic strings from Don Mils, Offset, and Ojivolta on “HEALTHY.” Offset remains committed to his signature Migos flow, asserting on “BLAME IT ON SET:”
“N*ggas still bitin’ my style; they can’t be too upset.”
Approximately one-third of the album’s 21 tracks oscillate between romantic, quasi-romantic, and sensual themes. SET IT OFF is saturated with tracks exploring complex relationships with women, often portraying them as challenges and delights. “WORTH IT” and “DISSOLVE” veer toward the affectionate, although the former goes into the commodification of love with a Busta drum loop. “FINE AS CAN BE,” featuring Latto, elevates the stakes as she raps, “Already bought me every color Birkin, now I want the stocks and properties.” “PRINCESS CUT” with Chlöe melds desire and affection, allowing the singer to match Offset’s grit as she repeats his hook.
The most memorable instances on the album occur when Offset becomes vulnerable. On the subdued track “HEALTHY,” he spits, “Keeping all of this to myself ain’t healthy.” In “SAY MY GRACE,” he contemplates existential questions: “Ask God why I didn’t get an answer/Why I lose my brother to bullets?/Why I lose my grandma to cancer?” The disbanding of Migos following Takeoff’s death is a topic that Offset addresses with emotional depth.
Among the Migos members, Offset has always been the one, mainly owing to his complex, rapid-fire rap technique. In SET IT OFF, this technique is accompanied by verses that span a gamut of themes, from self-aggrandizement to self-examination to recklessness. When Offset raps with enthusiasm and focus, he distinguishes himself. Yet, there are instances where his experimentation with various melodies and styles feels disjointed. Although the album’s dark, atmospheric production creates an ideal setting, there are moments when it seems Offset isn’t entirely in sync with the musical backdrop.
Solid (★★★½☆)
Favorite Track(s): “SAY MY GRACE,” “JEALOUSY,” “HEALTHY”