Tacoma’s own, LROC, is back with a soulful new EP to add to his 2019 catalog. Titled For The Summer, the five-track tape is a big improvement on his past projects, both in terms of production and delivery. He expands into some new territory on content, he opens up a bit emotionally, and he even sings, touching on subjects surrounding love, work, and blessings. It’s a good tape for summer listening: fun, yet meaningful, and an example of LROC’s growth and maturation as an artist.
The EP starts with a track called “Life’s Good,” a memento to God and progression. It’s all about growth in the name of God, in accepting what you have and working hard towards the things you want. Ultimately, it’s about appreciating your life.
“Ain’t a waste if you learn a lesson,” LROC says in the chorus. “Life’s good, still a blessing”
“Life’s Good”
The rest of the tape bounces around different themes and different styles, showing some versatility on LROC’s part. In the track “More Naked,” LROC seems to confess his love for a girl. “I want to be your superman,” he raps.
Take you to spots that no private jet or Uber can. Give you the feeling of your first love like you’re in school again.” If you’ve listened to LROC in the past, this track will probably come as a surprise to you. He doesn’t normally open up in this kind of way and I think it’s an impressive move on his part. Every great artist needs to shed some room for sensitivity and him doing that shows strength on his part, in my opinion. Rappers especially often avoid that kind of thing in fear of looking “soft.” My favorite track off the EP, “For The Summer,” hits a lighter tone. It’s an easy listen and the most melodic track of the tape. It has a happy, upbeat vibe that really does sound like summer.
LROC is still on the come up but his music has been making big strides and if he continues like this, he should come out as one of the strongest artists out of the Northwest. Time will only tell where music takes him, but he as all the talent to be a big a name in hip-hop.
