Chris Patrick - The Calm (Review)
It’s been about two years since Chris Patrick’s last release. His sophomore album “X-Files” was a 14-track offering that tapped into multiple different soundscapes that showcased Chris’ versatility as an artist. Still displaying that same versatility showing us how he can switch from intense rapping to smooth R&B with ease, he makes his return with his latest mixtape “THE CALM”. And spoiler alert: he’s hungrier than ever.
This mixtape is 9 songs long, none of which are filler. Each record is an integral and intentional piece of the project’s story. Honest and introspective storytelling has ALWAYS been a part of Chris’ music, but he really hit a new stride on “THE CALM” and it’s evident from the very first song.
Track one is titled “NUMB”. My ears immediately perked up at the sound of the Alex Vaughn sample. Then Chris started rapping and just… wow. I was locked in immediately as not a moment nor a word was wasted. He was rapping like the rent was due and that’s because it quite literally was. He raps vulnerably but with precision, about falling behind on rent payments, eviction notices, loss in the family and relationships, all while trying to pursue his music career.
These concepts continue to be recurrent talking points on the project as it continues to progress. On songs like “BARCELONA”, and “TAKE TIME FOR MYSELF”, we hear more about him maneuvering through obstacles whether it be money-related, amongst his peers, or with himself as he pushes forward on his quest to follow his dreams. These records offer a more mellow approach in both production and rap style.
On songs like “SLIDE ON ME”, “YOU (LA GIRLS)”, and “ATLANTA INTERLUDE”, he swiftly reminds us that while he possesses a supreme rapping ability, it’s not to be forgotten that his R&B bag is also heavy. We get some softer moments on these records as he reminisces on feelings of infatuation, his tendencies of falling too fast, and trauma-induced fear in relation to commitment.
As vulnerable as Chris has been throughout the project, he still indulges in a rightful moment to pop his shit on “HEAT OF THE ACTION” with bars like “F**k who your fave is, I’m prolly gon body em/ Punnitt Square said that my genes looking dominant/”. This record along with “DA BEAM” which hosts the project’s only feature: Ben Reilly, are two of the more lively records on the tracklist.
Chris exits “THE CALM” the same way he entered it— hungry. The outro doubles as the mixtape’s title track. An exemplary showing of reflection and accountability, and the perfect end to his best body of work yet.
There’s a moment at the end of J.I.D’s record “2007” where J. Cole is having a monologue and he says there’s a difference between the people who want it, and the people who are willing to do the work it takes to get it, and how that’s the separator between the people who never get what they want, and the people whose names we remember forever; Chris Patrick is the latter.