Don Toliver's 'Love Sick' Is Everything It Should Be

An arguable visionary in the trap soundscape, his unequivocal ear and gruffish moody vocals beckon on the airwaves as the artist has ascended, becoming one of the industry’s hottest talents; so becoming accustomed to Toliver’s quintessential bass-dense feelers is natural. In ‘Love Sick’ we hear that mastered essence as he finesses his signature style, seemingly able to refresh listeners with each timely release.

‘Love Sick’ hits all the things we’ve come to expect from the artist - rich club bangers, the occasional pensive trap-ballad, some bass-rich leg shakers - and he does what he does well. With this latest project marking the artist’s 3rd studio album release, he remains in his well-constructed realm able to pivot and adapt when need be; perhaps with soft deviations from time to time, balancing doses of experimental efficiency. ‘Let Her Go’ can be one of these flashes. Featuring production and vocals from James Blake, Toliver leans into Blake’s melodically deep style, reckoning his Donny energy, supplying us with a cooling and compatible palette cleanser. Enlisting in another moment of adjustment, we hear an unexpectedly jarring yet catchy sampled mix of Beenie Man’s Girls Dem Sugar featuring the cherished Kali Uchis. Bringing on Faiyaz, we hear ‘Bus Stop’ a notably funkier garage-mirrored lay, but of course attuned to Toliver’s sound. And Honeymoon, an unsung hit that reinforces Toliver at his primal best - a staple addition to your playlist.

Toliver’s 'Love Sick' neatly shows off the artist’s skill and even tenacity in proving he is one of the best on the scene. From consistency in releases to defining his style among a sea of many peers, he's been able to capture listeners - excelling with his fun yet thoughtful lyrical flow. He’s positioned himself at the top, eyeing the nervy exclusive release of the 13-minute '70s themed 'Love Sick' visuals on Prime Video. He’s been calculated, meticulous even, as he tightly curates each feature, release and project for optimal success.

The project is seductively done, with many stand-out lays, the aforementioned, his ‘Leather Coat’, a joint blissfully nostalgic effort on ‘If I Had’ with Charlie Wilson. 'Love Sick's got a touch of sultry, a bunch of bass and a bundle of heavy-hitting features. But is it ungrateful to say, while Toliver does his thing well; I can’t help but wonder what else he can show us?