Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
This Unruly Mess I’ve Made
(self-released)

Three years later, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis return with their latest album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made. Totally incomparable to the groundbreaking, Grammy award-winning record The Heist, which unleashed their independent fame and brought us such jaw-dropping singles as “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us.” It’s still hard for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to completely assimilate into the hip hop community. Ironically enough, the title “Light Tunnels” explains it all through Macklemore’s eyes; he can finally understand the heightened fame. It’s a heartfelt song with shout-outs to his two most important ladies: mom and wife. He talks about how the music scene can feel like “One big reality show that is scripted. I don’t like who I am in this environment.” One thing is for sure, music is a business. “Downtown” is so good it’s bad, and is similar to tracks on The Heist. Rising to the top is tough, staying there is even tougher, but not if you have a moped. It’s their second single and features Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz. So Macklemore pretended to be”Brad Pitt’s Cousin” back in the day to get into the clubs. Uh, why else would you call a track “Brad Pitt’s Cousin”? It starts off with an Indian-style beat that remains in the background the whole time. It’s pretty much dope. “Buckshot” sounds like Macklemore is shaking a spray paint can. Watch out, he’s ready to graffiti anything and everything. He refers to his Subway days, “7 bucks an hour wasn’t much money.” (Skip this track if you’re on a health kick.) “Lets Eat” talks about his junk food/donut days, and stereotypical new year’s resolution of getting fit, “went to the gym and got a membership.” “Bolo Tie,” featuring YG, is the hottest track with a wicked rhyme scheme. The entirety of the album is a blast from the past. There’s lots of uncertainty and withdrawals of the old Heist days.