When it comes to full-length albums, Big Sean has had a shaky start navigating a vision from start to finish. Maybe highly-anticipated “Dark Sky Paradise” will be his VIP ticket.

“IT AIN’T ABOUT IF THEY REMEMBER YOU. THEY REMEMBER RAP.”

When Big Sean’s voice is heard, you know exactly who you’re listening to. With his very poppy-rap tone that is essential for crossover appeal, something he has mastered in his short career, Dark Sky Paradise is a breath of fresh air.

There is a formula to making a good body of work, and if you can’t figure that out on your own, there’s the alternative: features. And there many of them—10 to be exact. Kanye (twice), John Legend, Lil Wayne, Jhené Aiko (twice) are the big names that grace the album’s 15-track perimeter.

While it’s great to hear familiar voices, Sean impressively holds his own, showing off his signature sound—that proper flow. On and off the beat, Sean has improved lyrically by delivering tremendous, jaw-dropping, multiple-syllabled measures, even when he’s flying solo on “Paradise.” Yet, his delivery hasn’t been compromised due to his raw style, which can become redundant.

With standard popular hip-hop production from DJ Mustard and Key Wane, “All Your Fault” is easily one of the top five Big Sean songs ever—period. As a matter of fact, a lot of Dark Sky Paradise can be cataloged as some of his best work to date.

“Platinum and Wood” is golden, “Win Some, Lose Some” is beautiful and “Deep” is hard. There is a formula to making a good album, “a little luck, a lot of grind BITCH!”

THE BREAKDOWN

Dark Sky Paradise is Big Sean’s greatest collection by far, righting all of his wrong from past endeavors and simultaneously earning his stripes. You can tell that he took his time with this project, and from here on out, there are higher expectations set for Sean as a rapper. Now we can say “Big Sean’s album was good” instead of “Big Sean can’t make a good album.” Now we all can see what he is truly capable of, and it’s not just a feature.

How would you describe Big Sean’s sound? Do you think the album is worth listening to without the features? Tweet me your thoughts @HappyIsFeet or talk to me in the comments. Also, be sure to follow us @YouNerded.

77/100 – Good

*This review of Dark Sky Paradise is based on the 15-track Standard Edition.