Album Review: 808S AND HEARTBREAK

Written By Brian Guggenheimer

Kanye West’s hit album, 808s and Heartbreak, was one of the most popular of the year. The album was released in November and went platinum by the end of January, having sold over one million copies. 808s and Heartbreak is West’s fourth studio album, as well as his fourth to go Platinum. Two of the songs, “Love Lockdown” and “Heartless” hit top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

West’s newest album has a very different style, heavy in both emotion and effects. Because West both raps and sings on many tracks, more of the music appeals to fans of other genres as well as West’s older fan base.

The TR-808 rhythm composer, a programmable drum machine from the 1980s, deserves as much credit for this album as West (hence the bizarre album title). West also utilizes a machine called the Auto-Tune, a voice alteration and pitch correction program made famous by other pop artists such as T-pain.

West’s two best songs on the album are “Love Lockdown” and “Welcome to Heartbreak.” “Love Lockdown’s” subtle and steady drum pattern form the base of the song, as the sentimental and anxious vocals complement the TR-808 beat. “Welcome to Heartbreak” is exceptionally captivating because of its smooth melody formed by synthesized classical instruments combined with a pop beat.

The lyrics of most of the songs, as the titles suggest, revolve around a theme of loss and heartbreak. Over the past year West’s mother and role model passed away and West also broke off an engagement with his fiancée. 808s and Heartbreak is the most personal album West has made, and certainly one of his best.