Boldy James’ Permanent Ink: A Mixed Review

Reviewed By; Tory Jackson aka Pico_Da_Gawd

“Permanent Ink” is Boldy’s second album of the year, which is surprising considering that we’re still in January. I’m usually all for consistent releases as long as the quality holds up, but that’s not the case with this album. It had some moments here and there, but overall, it’s a forgettable project.

The sound of the album, production-wise, is definitely different from what we’re used to hearing in a Boldy project. However, it stays true to his roots with some classic-sounding Detroit-inspired beats. This approach could have worked perfectly to keep things unpredictable with the frequent drops, but the quality does not hold up when compared to some of his other projects. The album sounds rushed, to say the least. The majority of the tracks are barely over two minutes long, and although the production reflects his hometown roots, it just doesn’t fit his rap style, which is evident throughout the album—almost to the point where it was hard to nod your head in some instances. The production itself wasn’t bad; everything was provided by Roger Goodman of Royal House. It just sounded awkward and forced.

Despite the frustration, the album had some good moments. The intro track was solid and showcased how Boldy can sound over more upbeat production. “Single File Line” was another track that surprised me and provided a break from the usual drug bars we all know Boldy for. I could sense some potential here, but every time I got excited, I was quickly brought down by the other tracks. I felt like Boldy was offbeat and out of place for the majority of the album. The lyrics were there, but I couldn’t get over how confusing it sounded sonically. I’ll give it a few more listens to see if anything grows on me, but it’s safe to say that I probably won’t play this again after this week.

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑 **(4/10)**