Album Review: ScHoolboy Q - Blank Face

Blank Face is denser, darker and better than its predecessor Oxymoron.

The Q we meet on this new album is more at ease and able to balance his maniacal energy with moments of reflection. TorcH, haunted by Anderson .Paak's crisp, incisive singsong, opens the album neatly. Groovy Tony is the album's high point, with our host telling tales of life in the muck. By Any Means is engaging for the opposite reason as Q embraces a cold, detached menace. Q's always been able to rap, but on this record he has found a way to contrast his ferocity with grimmer, more calculating moments. Compelling listening.