The Machine closes out the year with streetwise introspection

I really like Conway The Machine and always have. Even when people were saying he wasn’t the same as he used to be, I pushed back. Slant Face Killah was one of my favorite albums last year, so I can’t say Conway’s “back”—because I don’t believe he ever took a break from being one of the best in the game. You Can’t Kill God With Bullets is another great album, though, and I even pre-ordered the CD, so bet that I want to see Conway win. He delivered with this one.

I’m going to get some of my minor issues out of the way first. There are a couple of beats that I think are just fine, but if it wasn’t Conway spitting heat over them, I might not have enjoyed them as much. “The Lightning Above The Adriatic Sea” and “Organized Mess” are two beats I don’t love; even though they fit the album’s overall feel, I think they lack fullness. “Diamonds” is one of those Conductor Williams beats I just don’t love, which happens sometimes for me. I think “Mahogany Walls” and “Se7enteen5ive” are much stronger beats—and, in turn, much stronger tracks. “Crazy Avery” is decent but not blowing me away, and I’m not messing with Timbaland and his AI stuff right now, so I can’t even fully trust that beat.

There are also a few moments where Conway leans into singing or melodic parts. Those don’t always work for me—like on “The Painter.” It’s a great song overall, but it could have been even better without those moments.

That said, this album is packed with great bars and substance from Conway. The production is, for the most part, very strong, largely leaning into an angelic sound with that boom-bap edge. I like it, and I love what Conway does over it. He always stays rooted in the streets with that signature grit, but he also gets personal here, offering real insights into his life in different ways. “The Painter,” “The Undying,” “Parisian Nights,” and especially “Hold Back Tears” all open different windows into Conway’s world.

Some other people might be a bit higher on this album than I am, but I still think it’s a great project from one of my favorite artists. Conway gets personal without ever letting it feel corny or forced. This feels like him truly letting out what he’s feeling, not chasing a particular style or sound. I’ve never turned away a Conway album, and I’m definitely not starting with this one.

Standout Tracks: The Painter, The Undying, Otis Driftwood, Parisian Nights & Hold Back Tears

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑(8.5/10)