Goldlink's “At What Cost” is the perfect blend of groove and grit
Written By Daniel Haynes
MLM Stars: 4.2 out of 5 Stars.
When 23-year-old D.M.V rapper Goldlink announced "At What Cost" would drop on March 24, fans were waiting in anticipation for this official album to debut and be the follow-up to his critically acclaimed project, "And After That, We Didn’t Talk."
He initially teased with singles from the project which featured the style fans had come to know since his debut in 2014. Tracks like “Crew” -a banger with a hard hitting baseline and catchy hook mixed with smooth lyricism had listeners flexin’, while “Meditation” -a conscious flow combined with notions of romanticism and realism, took fans on a feels trip and raised expectations even more.
The album is 14 tracks long over 48 minutes and has ten features. However, despite the number of features the album is a musical adventure, which invites listeners to strap on their seatbelts, observe the no smoking sign and relax as flight At What Cost takes them on a nonstop flight to Good Music City.
From the Opening Credit, the album jumps straight into it, and Goldlink begins on "Same Clothes as Yesterday," displaying an assassin like flow with lyrics like “Devil be trying these rappers… it’s crazy how niggas need devil worship to keep up…” aiming at his competition.
"Tracks like “Crew” -a banger with a hard hitting baseline and catchy hook mixed with smooth lyricism had listeners flexin’, while “Meditation” -a conscious flow combined with notions of romanticism and realism, took fans on a feels trip and raised expectations even more. "
From here, listeners get their taste buds wet as to what the album is about. With his diversity, the rapper touches at the heartstrings “Herside Story” where he redoes Irish group Hare Squead’s original version with a catchy melody and well-flowing verses.
The album has a few sleepers with “Kokamoe Freestyle”, “Have You Seen That Girl”, “Roll Call” and “We Will Never Die”. The entire album embodies Goldlink’s unique feel good and intellectual flow and includes a few bangers. At What Cost is just another example of what has made bumping to Goldlink a routine thing to do.