Rando Whatts - just some mixtape: vol. 1

I should probably start this review off by apologising to the artist, Rando Whatts, for not reviewing this album sooner. I’d routinely put it at the top of my list, only to be deterred by the vocaroo-inspired album cover and obnoxious track titles. It’s one thing to not capitalise your songs, but to only capitalise a small selection? JFC Rando. If I were Dubbi, I could spend this entire review shitting on your track names and style, and I almost considered doing so. Alas, unlike Dubbi, I actually listened to the album, so I figured I may as well review it properly, albeit lazily, track by track.

Many of these tracks sound like they were played on a dead cassette player, mixing and fading throughout various bins in a poorly managed landfill. Some tracks are atmospheric; some are schizophrenic; others are rough and violent. Some of the tunes sound like the musical output of a love-sick murder who discovered that mixing sounds like her lover being strangled and blood from the man’s body mixing with her tears. Others sound like the murderer just got really high and forgot what they were doing. Most of track titles were probably forged in this state.

1.       from r.w. to r.w. – Pretty cool opener. Sounds like you got really baked and used this song as a reminder to finish your album.

2.       i must go on – Awful vocals accompany an eerie emulation of Kraftwerk’s weird krautrock

3.       solar drip – Pleasantly humorous. If the production were clearer, it’d work as a great instrumental filler on a Lil Ugly Mane mixtape.

4.       groovy gravy – It sounds like you’re trying to emulate Zappa, but you’ve never listened to him

5.       my special chum – Should have called it “my special cum.” Honestly a great track. Every second is amusing, and despite being so short, it ends well.

6.       my style – Style is good, execution is not. It’s very flat. At least the instrumentals are cruisy. Throwaway song.

7.       The flow zone – Awful. Styalistically, sounds like a continuation of your first track, but you didn’t have any new ideas.

8.       lol "post rap" – A really neat poke at the genre. Vocals are mixed a little too loudly in the mix, but it works.

9.       @ some bank – FFS Rando I’m trying to avoid reviewing shitty SoundCloud trap on my site

10.   sour trudge – Instrumentals here are bliss. Very Lil Ugly Mane once again. Vocal tone is quite good, too, but the delivery lacks clarity and punch, both in the verses and the chorus. The harmony is really good, and with a sharper execution this could have been tremendous.

11.   [???] - [???] – No idea what this track was going for, but I dig it. Vocals are good (though not yours), and the soundscape sounds alluring despite being abused with reverb. Composition is pretty plain, would have liked more variation.

12.   bandit action – An excellent track. The delivery is smooth and creative. I wish the rest of the album was like this.

13.   behind that door – Creative soundscape once again, and vocals

14.   cyber rave oblivion – Really could have done without this weeb simulation. Digighouls were NEVER cool. Please don’t emulate them ever again.

15.   Stay ballin' – I want people to listen to your music, but it’s really hard to recommend it with songs such as these. It just sounds like you’re mumbling over a free loop. No idea what covid has to do with anything either, just take the jab chud (brought to you by Pfizer).

16.   bong brawl - -_-

17.   ganon bih "steal" – humerous, but man I’d cheat on you too if I found your HDD filled with songs like this

18.   strollolloll – Nice fuzzy soundscape, once again marred by flat vocals over the top

19.   mcafee died for our sins – He certainly did

20.   80's were wild, man – Can’t knock you for this one. Funny once again. The vocals here are really good – I wish you’d lean into this weirdness far more. Your strongest suit, for sure.

21.   wake-up routine – More trap…. *sigh*

22.   goofs + spoons – Haha, YUP

23.   when ya pressed – Meh

24.   [???] - [???] – Gz on getting Lisa Germano to feature on your album. Is this a sample?

25.   past sense [instrumental version] – Neat closer

26.   get lost [hidden track] – Should have stayed hidden

Abhorrent vocals are the crux of just some mixtape: vol. 1, though this is not necessarily something the artist needs to focus on improving in future. Sometimes, his lacklustre, mundane delivery is quirky enough to work amidst the baneful soundscapes. Other times they are good, making me question whether Rando is aware of his abilities or not. Lastly, there’s a hint of irony packaged within that makes the mixtape quite enjoyable; one never knows what to expect next. The interweaving sounds and sound effects on the music are weirdly pleasing.

Unfortunately, it’s also overflowing with trash tracks. When I say trash tracks, this isn’t an exaggerated diss to the artist. These tracks are literally scum from the bottom of a barrel of some kind of waste product with no pretense whatsoever. But there is something oddly compelling about them. They seem to offer a glimpse into a world that is trapped in another dimension where proper aesthetics are useless, and everything is rotting. It’s a slog to get through, though; had it been 4-8 tracks, it would have been worthwhile. Nonetheless, it’s a seriously promising start. The creativeness is unparalleled by another trap produces in the scene.

It may have taken me too long to review his mixtape, but I’m glad I did. If Rando can maintain the creativity, but improve his execution, it’s no doubt his next effort will be a blast.

Below Average

Listen to it here:

https://rando-whatts.bandcamp.com/album/just-some-mixtape-vol-1

Rando Whatts - just some mixtape: vol. 1