Mack strikes back

By: Conner Williams
Editor-in-Chief

Alright, thrift shoppers, if you’re like me, then you stayed up late and waited until “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made” dropped and then proceeded to listen to it on repeat for the next week.

Hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis released their debut album “The Heist” back in 2012 when I was a pipsqueak freshman, and their follow-up came out just in time to take its place as the anthem of my senior year.

Without further adieu, I have decided to list out each track into specified categories that I think make most sense. It should be noted, however, that I have only heard the standard version of the album and not the full deluxe version, so the list below is missing the two extra tracks on the deluxe version.

Certified Bangers

With tracks like “Can’t Hold Us,” “White Walls,” and “Jimmy Iovine,” producer Ryan Lewis has proven that he is one of the best in the business at mixing up beats that bang. TUMIM is a bit more mellow, but it still has a few certified bangers.

“Downtown”: This track was released as a single back in August, and became an instant hit. The best part? It’s a song about mopeds. “Chromed out mirror, I don’t need a windshield; banana seat, a canopy on two wheels; eight hundred cash that’s a hell of a deal!”

“Light Tunnels”: As the opening track, this song sets the tone for the album, and it does just that. Macklemore calls out celebrities as he recounts his experience at the Grammy’s when he won album of the year and details what it’s been like facing the pressure of living up to the success of “The Heist.” “Watch celebrities take selfies with celebrities; it feels so make believe; they want the gossip, they want the drama; they want Britney Spears to make out with Madonna.”

“Brad Pitt’s Cousin”: There’s no doubt that Macklemore has an interesting sense of humor. With the chorus chanting “When you see me in the club; Brad Pitt, that’s my cousin; Angelina show me love,” the song still leaves me a bit confused as to where to draw the parallel between the two men (despite them both being incredibly attractive). But who cares, the song still bangs. “Every white dude in America went to the barbershop like ‘Give me that Macklemore haircut!’”

“Dance Off”: Featuring a celebrity appearance by Idris Elba (“Thor,” “Beasts of No Nation”) on the hook, this song is another Macklemore great that details just how much he loves to dance. And the bass is killer too. “I grab my ankle and pull it up; and do that thing where I move my butt; I got the juice motherfucker don’t use it up.”

Social Justice Issues:

Macklemore is fairly well-known for being a present voice of many social justice issues; “Same Love” advocated for marriage equality and became a huge hit that inspired millions around the country, and “Wings” detailed the culture around Jordan shoes and how people literally kill for them.

“White Privilege II”: This track is a nine-minute-long slap to the face for white Americans. Macklemore discusses his conflicted thoughts of taking part in a Black Lives Matter protest as he feels like he should be doing something while simultaneously feeling out of place, as well as how he used the hip-hop genre that arose from black culture to further his own agenda. “Want people to like you, want to be accepted; that’s probably why you are out here protesting; don’t think for a second you don’t have incentive.”

“Let’s Eat”: This track is all about positive body image. The message: quit worrying about eating that slice of cake. Go for it. “Supposed to be on a diet; I wanna be like Ryan; he lost 30 pounds on that paleo; but fuck it man I love fried shit!”

“Kevin”: Macklemore premiered this song at the AMAs, and it sure had an impact. A huge shot at the prescription drug industry, it discusses how Rx’s have harmed people by getting them addicted and, in some cases, killing them, all while robbing them blind. “Got anxiety, better go and give him a Xanax; focus, give him Adderall; sleep, give him Ambien; ‘til he’s walking ‘round the city looking like a mannequin!”

(Potential) Cult Hits:

Tracks like “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us” became iconic pop anthems that have a special place in everyone’s musical repertoire. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t know where the line “I’m gonna pop some tags” comes from?

“Buckshot”: I honestly don’t know what it is about this track, but it’s got me bobbing my head and dancing around my apartment like I’m possessed. There’s just something behind a song about graffiti that I find intriguing. “They hella mad, say my art is really bad for business; but I’mma paint a better world until the cans are empty.”

“Need to Know”: Featuring a fantastic hook and verse by the increasingly popular Chance The Rapper, this track gives off a vibe of a lazy Sunday afternoon coffee shop. Gentle piano and horns serve as the background beat and almost supersede the fact that this track is about bending the truth and only revealing what one truly needs to know. Macklemore believes he is living a life that is a lie and really just looks better on the surface. “I’m really good at telling the half truth but usually only when I have to; the money doesn’t work, the chain doesn’t work; something broken in my brain got me praying in the dirt.”

Lowkey Jams:

In the midst of his speedy verses and eccentric dance themes, Macklemore likes to take it easy with a few slow jams as well.

“Growing Up”: Featuring an appearance by Ed Sheeran on the hook, this track is simply a heartfelt love letter from Macklemore to his unborn daughter. This really is a fantastic song and shows the rapper’s emotional side. “I’m gonna be there for your first breath; I don’t know if I’ll be there for your first step; I can promise you I’ll try to work less.”

“St. Ides”: While the title is a referenece to the malt liquor, it’s really about Macklemore appreciating the “non-commercial greatness of life,” as Genius.com put it. “Rollin’ round, we know where to go; argue with the homies over who’s gonna roll; bumpin’ Goodie Mob, have some food for the soul.”

“Bolo Tie”: This track shows Macklemore’s frustration with originally trying to get his music out there, and then people harassing him for new content after the hype of “The Heist” had ended. He didn’t want to put out music just for the sake of it; he wants it to be real. “Motherfucker you ain’t my accountant; you don’t know what I’m doing; focusing on what I’m giving back; man, make better music.”

“The Train”: As the final track on the album, it explores the rapper’s feelings of detachment and that he feels like he’s departing somewhere, like he’s on a train to nowhere. “Watchin’ the trees pass by at a tempo; got a round trip ticket out to limbo; and I’m getting close to my kinfolk.”

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalEIC