April 2025
Monthly Reviews | April 2025
April was a relatively quiet month for me, as I only checked out two projects — both of which happened to drop on the same day. Ray Vaughn’s latest release, The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu, immediately caught my attention as I hadn’t heard a full project from him before. You can read my thoughts on it below. I also gave Coco Jones’ debut album Why Not More? a listen. Following her Grammy win for the single “ICU,” she released the record under Def Jam, and I was eager to see whether she delivered.
Ray Vaughn — The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu
Release Date — 25th April
TDE’s latest signing, Ray Vaughn, has had quite the year so far. Whilst being heavily involved in a competitive battle with Joey Bada$$, representing the West Coast, he also released this stellar project. I’m currently a fan of Ray Vaughn, and I’d like to make the bold claim that he has the potential to grow into a much bigger and more popular rapper. The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu showcases his talents extremely well. Throughout the project he demonstrates sharp lyricism, storytelling ability, and a real knack for crafting catchy hooks. It offers records for various moods from sombre, reflective tracks to high-octane bangers and laidback songs.
Ray Vaughn not only has a strong pen game but also a great ear for production. Two of my favourite tracks on the project are “XXXL Tee” and “Dollar Menu”. Both are built to make your speakers boom, with “Dollar Menu” in particular boasting one of the best beat switches I’ve ever heard. I enjoy the laidback feel of the first half, but after the brief interlude, the hard-hitting production catches you completely off guard. Not to mention Ray Vaughn matching the energy of production with his aggressive delivery and flows well with the beat.
“East Chatt” and “Klown Dance” are further standouts, featuring fellow TDE members Jay Rock and Isaiah Rashad, respectively. As mentioned earlier, this project provides tracks you can easily relax to, and both songs are perfect for kicking back, whether you’re driving or hanging out with friends. The narrative elements across the project also shine, with “3pm @ Dairy” being a prime example. It’s an emotional and vulnerable track that introduces listeners to Ray Vaughn’s story and the difficulties he has faced. Sydney Leona’s beautiful vocals elevate the chorus, perfectly complementing the song’s raw honesty.
Overall, The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu is the perfect introduction to Ray Vaughn. It highlights his many talents and abilities as an artist. He’s certainly one to watch in the future, ticking all the right boxes, and like Doechii, he has the potential to take the torch and carry on TDE’s legacy.
Coco Jones — Why Not More?
Release Date — 25th April
Signing to Def Jam Records in 2022, Coco Jones gradually built her name in the R&B scene before finally breaking through with her What I Didn’t Tell You EP, winning a Grammy for her single “ICU”. Now, with the release of her debut album Why Not More?, Jones shows promise as an artist but struggles to deliver a consistently strong project. Spanning fourteen songs, the album has flashes of quality but is often weighed down by generic and forgettable tracks that disrupt its flow.
The first half of the album is far stronger, with highlights including “Taste”, the third single from the LP and a clever reimagining of Britney Spears’ iconic hit “Toxic”. Credit to Jones for pulling off a refreshing take on such a well-known track, as it works surprisingly well. From there, she maintains momentum with “On Sight,” which showcases her impressive vocals, and “Here We Go (Uh Oh),” arguably the standout moment on the record and a clear fan favourite.
Unfortunately, the project begins to falter in the second half. While not outright bad, many of the later tracks are bland and fail to leave any real impression. From “Keep It Quiet” to “Forever Don’t Hit Like Before,” both the production and Jones’ vocals feel unremarkable, blending into the background rather than standing out. The weakest point comes with “Most Beautiful Design,” weighed down by a lacklustre verse from Future and generic R&B-trap stylings that add little to the project.
Although much of Why Not More? feels overly safe and uninspired, there are moments where Coco Jones shines and her talent cuts through. However, as a debut album it’s a disappointing effort, too cautious, too forgettable, and ultimately falling short.