If I had to pick an album that is one of my favorites that has impacted me the most within the last year, and I had to pick, like I was forced to pick. I would pick Ultra 85 by Logic. Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, better known as Logic, singer, rapper, lyricist, songwriter, gamer and guy. This article serves as a Anthony Fantano Style Review of Logic’s newest independently created and produced Album Ultra 85. In my view Ultra 85 is the most complete body of work in which Logic has come out to date. This article will go track by track skit by skit as well as a final overview and rating on a scale from 1-10 as well as a full length edited video comprising my overall thoughts and analysis.
Paul Rodriguez
Logic’s opening track of Ultra 85 delves into Logic’s decade long journey from an underground kid to being at the pinnacle of the rap game with Homicide and 1-800 through a 9 minute extravagant opening in which Logic communicates to the audience while even being “retired” he is still in his bag lyrically, production quality, flow, and beat. Paul Rodriguez makes for a solid opening giving a sense of nostalgia for long term listeners as well as hope for the future while speaking about what inspired Logic to rap and where he is going. The track on the rating scale gets a 9/10 in my view for all aforementioned reasons, due to listenability, flow, beat, and lyrics letting the listener know what the preverbal space ride they are about to embark on.
9/10
Mission Control
The second track on Ultra 85 titled starts off with a bombastic keyboard opening and switch as Logic’s vocal’s slowly come in. The track develops as Logic raps about having to fight about everything he has stating “They wouldn’t let me in, so I never asked permission” talking about his career as a whole functioning as a braggadocious re-telling of Logic’s Journey “I remember that they didn’t even wanna listen”. Later as the track develops speaking how the industry and labels never wanted to pay mind to Logic or his career to now “I can truly give a fuck about the competition I’m in another atmosphere, I’m on another mission” showing growth from being an unsigned kid in his basement to a whole other position now as a father. Logic is beginning to communicate to the audience that the passion he had for rapping is still present yet he’s had enough of the industry treadmill to go about his passion differently.
7/10
Deja Vu
The track continues the themes seen in the second track in a more precise punchy flow stating “Ain’t no more _____ to give, I gotta live my life Regardless if you think I’m living it right I was born in the dark now I live in the light” speaking about how the opinions of other peers in the rap game or critics doesn’t matter stating where his head is at now continuing the themes of family “Cause I did everything but get the Grammy (stop) and I’d rather raise a family, rather be home and off of my phone (stop) and all these other rappers soundin’ like clones, leave me alone” speaking on changing motivations and the student of the rap game he once was on earlier projects is no longer present as well life changes people change. The track is less memorable flow wise and beat wise recycled from Fade Away meant as a call back to earlier fans but less memorable while having lyricism the switch ups don’t hit as hard nor do the honestly weird space sounds earning a 7.4/10.
7.4/10
Fear
Track 4 titled Fear is infectious in its sound with a synth pop beat as well as fast punchy lyrics and great beat/vocal switches. The track being about anxiety and the struggles with depression and not holding back for anyone quite a positive message with a great flow throughout. A track the listener can get lost in, in my view. Logic speaks about his struggles on the streets as a kid growing up without his father as an active presence questioning why he lies to himself and continually ends up hurting himself and others around him. While understanding he has the capacity to change and wanting to “get out of this place” finding “paradise” with a great psychedelic flow, good mixing and decent vocals making for a 6/10 a decent track all in all.
6/10
Favela
The track opens with Logic rapping “Heavy is the neck that wears the chain” a metaphor for the amount of pressure and responsibility he has felt throughout his life for others, families, friends and others. The track is melodic and slow Logic’s story telling on full display recounting his struggles as a kid while looking towards the future and where he is now. Favela is mysterious, bold and confident, having a mature flow and lyrics that are well thought out earning a 10/10 a must listen track on the album.
6.8/10
Gardens III
Gardens III as a track is bragadocious, loud, bombastic and trippy. With a psychedelic beat emphasizing Logic’s history for alt-rap and Jazz rap blending a synth wave with Jazz/Reggae rap with a steady flow. The track is definitely lyrical and focused at times being an introspective narrative. Cultivating his current life like a “garden” is a testament to his career and journey as a whole. Engaging and emotionally focused earning a 8.4/10
8.4/10
Ghost in the machine
Ghost in the machine is an ode to the future and the present talking about journey and the universal struggle of life. Logic raps,
‘Cause no matter how you feel them people finna hate you anyway
This for the kid in a dorm room with a dream of his own
These haters’ll try to drown you, they won’t leave you alone
But never give up the sight, always remember to fight
You never know what could happen, your life could change overnight
It happened to me, I ain’t kiddin’
Way back in them days, man
Playing Call of Duty online, rockin’ with FaZe Clan
Now I’m a millionaire with a dad bod and a couple grays, man
So keep it real all the time
And remember who you am, who you am
An embodiment of the struggle in which Logic went through coming up as a musician and an artist talking about how fast life moves and how fast life can change. The song also features Robert Ivory and ADÉ who give excellent supporting vocals with ADÉ’s verse being the standout moment of the track as a whole.
7/10
Interstellar
I am biased as Interstellar is my personal favorite on the album. With excellent supporting vocals from frequent logic collaborator and musician Lucy Rose. The song is functionally advice from Logic to the viewer to live life day by day. Take things slow and put whatever happens to you in its proper place mentally. Logic raps:
‘Cause everything you dreamed to attain can’t fit in the frame
Luckily, your mind’s a gallery
Full of artistic expression that could fill up the galaxy
It’s okay to not be okay
Just don’t let that present mood dictate the rest of your day
An amazing and beautiful track that is by far the standout song on the track that elevates the album for me earning a 10/10 putting on full display Logic’s lyricism and creativity on full display.
9/10
In Retrospect
A track that is fun, nostalgic and emotional a track made for all the “Logic haters” Logic throughout his career has been made fun of seen as “corny” or “corny” due to his lyricism and openness about his life and struggles with family, abuse, neglect, and sobriety. The track is a message to all the haters telling his haters to “find clarity” and “seek therapy” as his haters are his biggest fans in a way “I know you hate me but I love you with sincerity” positive and self-aware all in all a great track earning a 7/10 on the tracklist.
7/10
44ever
The track functions as a classical “corny” Logic track with cringey lyrics and bad cgi. The track is meant to be fun and lighthearted. Yes, I understand that while having really nothing to say, feeling disconnected with the rest of the album as a whole. The track is discombobulated not knowing what the track itself is. Containing phrases that really make no sense, the track seems like a throwaway “we’ll add it for fun” track rather than something actually thought out with meaning earning a 2/10 due being unfocused and basic.
2/10
LOVE ME
The track feels like an extension of 44ever functioning as a skit, a throwaway track the track attempts to be deep, highlighting Logic’s need for audience approval and finding peace and happiness within himself and his family. The sentiment is clear and valid while the execution is off and disjointed. The upbeat production doesn’t fit with the emotional lyrics and the weird autotune while feeling more performative than real with the excessive use of the phrase “I just want to be loved” with a valid message. The song’s execution fumbles earning a 3/10 due to bad execution and surface level lyrics.
3/10
Teleport
Teleport is a return to form for the rapper from Maryland. The track’s theme is amazing as the track’s title “Teleport” is a reference to Logic’s teleportation as his mind teleports away from hard events in his life mentally blocking out hard memories from his past relating to drugs, sexual abuse, and crime. The flow is on point and clean. The track reveals how Logic uses his favorite media whether it be film or video games or rap as a mental escape from abuse.
10/10
ANTIDOTE
Antidote is not the antidote feeling forced and rushed not connecting to the momentum of teleport in any way. The song is titled antidote yet cures nothing, never elaborating on what the antidote is made for. The song functions as background music you hear and go “alright whatever” plain and guilty of saying nothing. The lyrics are not memorable or fun, the song is not even a banger, just forgettable. To summarize the song isn’t bad but forgettable earning a 4/10 due to all aforementioned reasons.
4/10
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The track fully explains the ideas that have been slowly revealed throughout the album that his form of escapism was that of film, specifically his favorite film-maker Quentin Tarintino, breaking down his career using Tarintino characters and references. Disappearing into his favorite films and media as a way to cope with being molested, not having a father, being kidnapped. The films, characters, and media was a way to teleport from the pain and fear. The best most emotionally developed track on the album earning a 10/10 for the metaphors and lyrics alone.
10/10
Peace Love and positivity
The track explores his need for audience approval and the ideas of what it means to be authentic. The track talks about masculinity, and what it means to be a man as well as not being accepted by the Black community or the White community as Logic is famously bi-racial which he has long been clowned for. The track is introspective, honest and raw with a slow beat, a must listen to track on the album.
7/10
City in the Stars
The track is a fun listen, think Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Luther vocal’s wise infectious and on repeat. The journey is completely symbolic of the evolution in which Sir Robert Bryson Hall II better known as Logic has gone through as an artist and person throughout his career and album. Exploring his inner thoughts and emotions while letting go of releasing past burdens takes a moment to appreciate oneself and your own personal growth big or small. The track is Logic at his best.
8/10
Thank you for believing in me
The track titled Thank you for believing me finishes off Logic’s dream album, an album a decade in the making, with a synth-space-esque beat complemented by a guitar the track makes for a great finish to an amazing album. Logic recaps his journey so far professionally and as a person thanking everyone involved in his life personally and the fans. Communicating that no matter what happens he’s already one playing with house money so to speak.
I guess… Thanks for believing in me!
