AftërLyfe

Yeat’s 2023 album, <i>AftërLyfe</i>, is a look at what’s next, an ode to the mysteries of the life beyond—where one goes after the engineer cuts the mic and the beat stops. The Portland-raised, L.A.-based MC made several unexpected choices for his 2023 LP, choosing to veer away from the sounds and styles fans came to expect on previous releases like 2022’s <i>Lyfë</i> and <i>2 Alivë (Geëk Pack)</i>, and 2021’s <i>Up 2 Më</i>. Instead of a bevy of guest features, Yeat keeps things intimate, picking a few close friends to hop on tracks, like YoungBoy Never Broke Again on “Shmunk” and LUH GEEKY (who happens to be a Yeat alter-ego) on “Now.” Beatwise, Yeat moves away from the trap-heavy stylings he favored on earlier releases, interpolating several new genres into his array of sounds, including electronic and rock. On “Nun id change,” Yeat goes full house mode, recruiting BNYX from Working on Dying for a dance floor thriller that recalls some other forays into hip-house like Vince Staples’ <i>Big Fish Theory</i> and several songs from Drake’s <i>Her Loss</i>. Elsewhere, on “Mysëlf”, Yeat introduces acoustic guitar to show off his pop-punk side. Despite these new sounds, old-school Yeat fans still have plenty to obsess over. On the aforementioned “Shmunk” with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the beat is built around dizzying synths that weave and dodge around bass-heavy drums. The smack-talking track is an ode to the gangster’s way of life. Yeat raps, “I don't even need no security, I got guns/I need me a moment of clarity, I'm movin' me tons.” Whether he’s exploring the origins of the universe or threatening his opponents, Yeat emphasises keeping his fans guessing and keeping himself entertained. He’s one of rap’s most unpredictable voices, and on <i>AftërLyfe</i>, he unveils even more surprises.