March 2025

Monthly Reviews | March 2025

As the first quarter drew to a close, I checked out three particular projects that dropped in March. First up was the long-awaited new album from Playboi Carti—Music. After years of delays and relentless anticipation from fans, it finally arrived. But the big question remained: did it live up to the hype? Another highly anticipated release came from Chicago’s own Saba, who teamed up with legendary producer No I.D. for a collaborative album. Given how strong Saba’s last solo effort, A Few Good Things, was, I was especially curious to hear how this partnership would unfold. Lastly, I spent time with the sophomore album from rising Neo-soul artist Greentea Peng. The London native’s Tell Dem It’s Sunny delivered in a big way. Check out my thoughts on all three projects below.

Playboi Carti — Music

Release Date — 14th March

After nearly five years of anticipation, multiple pushbacks, and false promises, Playboi Carti has finally returned with his new album, Music. As a fan of his self-titled mixtape and much of Die Lit, I was curious to see where this album would land—especially since Whole Lotta Red never fully clicked for me. Music continues Carti’s experimental trajectory, pushing boundaries with chaotic production, distorted vocals, and an unpredictable energy. Unfortunately, the album is bloated with 30 tracks, making it a frustrating listen, as there’s definitely a strong 15 track project hidden within it.

That being said, there are moments on this album that remind me why I fell in love with Carti’s music in the first place. Backdoor captures the essence of what made his early work so compelling—catchy, repetitive hooks and great production. Crush builds up beautifully, adding layers as it progresses, while Rather Lie delivers a dreamlike atmosphere, elevated by fantastic vocals from The Weeknd. Skepta and Carti reunite on Toxic, offering a darker take on their chemistry first established on Long Time from Die Lit. Travis Scott makes his presence felt throughout the album, appearing on four tracks and contributing to three of my favourites - “Crush”, “Charge Dem Ho*s a Fee” and “Wake Up F1lthy” - solidifying himself as one of the album’s strongest features.

However, not all features shine. Though Kendrick Lamar delivers a decent verse on “Backdoor”, his performance on “Good Credit” is surprisingly underwhelming - marking one of the few times I can remember being disappointed by a Kendrick feature. His flow and delivery add little to the track, making it one of the album’s more disappointing moments. Carti himself also has moments where his signature chaos becomes unbearable. “Pop Out” is a difficult listen, with an abrasive instrumental and jarring background vocals. Meanwhile, “Jumpin” and “Twin Trim” fall into generic trap territory, lacking the uniqueness that typically defines Carti’s work. “Like Weezy” stands out for the wrong reasons, with Carti’s vocal delivery at its most grating. Speaking of vocals, the ever-changing voices throughout the album make it difficult to distinguish whether it's Carti or a feature, which, while innovative, can also be exhausting to follow.

Ultimately, Music is another bold step in Carti’s evolution. While I love his self-titled mixtape and much of Die Lit, his music since Whole Lotta Red has been heading in a direction that I’m personally less interested in. There are moments on Music that I genuinely enjoy, but they mostly remind me of Carti’s sound from 2017-2018. The album’s excessive length and chaotic execution make it difficult to sit through in one go. Carti remains one of the most unique artists in hip-hop, but this release proves that his experimentalism can be both a gift and a curse.

Saba & No I.D. — From The Private Collection Of Saba & No I.D.

Release Date — 18th March

The new album from Chicago natives Saba and No I.D. has been anticipated for quite some time. First mentioned by Saba in 2022 during the promotion of A Few Good Things, this collaboration made perfect sense. Since his 2016 debut, Saba has evolved with each release, and A Few Good Things was one of my favorite projects of 2022. Pairing him with No I.D.—a legendary producer responsible for shaping Common’s early work, JAY-Z’s 4:44, and some of Kanye West’s most beloved tracks from 808s & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and Yeezus—set high expectations for this album.

The project delivers standout moments that showcase both artists at their best. “Head Rap” is easily the highlight, featuring soulful background vocals layered with a great soulful instrumental. “How To Impress God” is also phenomenal and shows Saba at his best lyrically, as he takes a deep into his relationship with God, the questioning of materialistic objects and what is actually important in this thing called life. It’s a lovely introspective single, with another example of great production work from No I.D. Within the fifteen track LP, the album’s strongest run starts with “Stomping” and carries through to “How to Impress God”. “Big Picture” shines with great chemistry between Saba and Ogi, while “30secchop” is also a great song.

However, the album does lose some steam in places. There are songs that don’t grab my attention as much as the songs mentioned in previously, and are simply just fine. The final two songs, “She Called It” and “a FEW songs”, feel somewhat forgettable, while Breakdown and Act 1.5 didn’t stand out at all. Additionally, I wasn’t a fan of Saba’s vocal switch-up and delivery on Westside Bound Pt. 4. Despite these weaker moments, the album remains a solid collaboration. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Saba’s best work, it still offers enough quality moments to make it a worthwhile listen. However, after being first teased three years ago I was expecting a bit more.

Greentea Peng — Tell Dem It's Sunny

Release Date — 21st March

London artist Greentea Peng has been quietly building momentum over the past few years, releasing two well-received projects since 2021: Man Made and Greenzone 108. Both earned praise from critics and fans alike. Now, with her second full-length album Tell Dem It’s Sunny, a follow-up to Man Made, Peng has delivered a phenomenal body of work that cements her status as both a smooth, magnetic vocalist and a deeply thoughtful songwriter.

The “Bali Skits” that open and close the album are more than just instrumental interludes - they’re beautifully produced moments that enhance the record’s atmosphere and sense of cohesion. Early standout Glory is the highlight of the first half, with Peng’s dreamy, soulful vocals floating over a lush and warming instrumental. In contrast, My Neck shifts the tone, leaning into a darker, more introspective space. It explores personal struggle and external pressures through striking metaphors, with lines like “Found myself drowning in waters that aren’t mine” offering a vivid glimpse into her internal world.

It’s in the second half of the album where things truly soar. Beginning with “Green”, there’s a noticeable shift towards optimism and reflection. Here, Peng acknowledges pain but embraces it as a part of growth, a sentiment carried through in both her lyrics and delivery. This sets off a near-flawless run - “Raw” and “Stones Throw” continue the momentum with standout vocal performances, while “The End” marks a sonic shift with an unexpected but welcome breakbeat instrumental that pairs perfectly with her vocals. “Whatcha Mean” rides a similar wave, embracing a more upbeat instrumental.

Tell Dem It’s Sunny is effortlessly brilliant - a record that balances light and dark, softness and grit. t deserves far more recognition, especially within a thriving UK R&B/Soul scene that includes artists like Cleo Sol and Michael Kiwanuka. Though Peng’s sound is distinct from theirs, this album proves she belongs in the same conversation.