Surf
by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 127
  3. Negative: 4 out of 127

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  1. Tj_Canayza
    Jun 6, 2015
    8
    One thing that listeners must take to mind prior to listening to this album is that Surf definitely does not centre around Chance The Rapper and thus takes it's own fusion of rap, funk, soul, jazz (and many other genres) to be quite different to the type of rap music found on his previous record Acid Rap. However, once this is taken to mind, wonderful live instrumentation and good vibesOne thing that listeners must take to mind prior to listening to this album is that Surf definitely does not centre around Chance The Rapper and thus takes it's own fusion of rap, funk, soul, jazz (and many other genres) to be quite different to the type of rap music found on his previous record Acid Rap. However, once this is taken to mind, wonderful live instrumentation and good vibes all around can be heard with this album and it proves to be a great listen. Perhaps the only flaws of this album is that it isn't necessarily innovative or mind - blowing musically, production - wise or in a lyrical sense. Despite this, The Social Experiment has crafted a wonderful album that holds the listeners attention from start to finish and the surprise features on this album truly steal the show on the tracks that they are featured on. This album makes me excited for anything The Social Experiment has to offer in the future and it raises the anticipation for the solo album that Chance will release some time in the near future.… Expand
  2. Dingo
    Jun 9, 2015
    8
    Its occasionally borderline kitsch aesthetic and sugary delivery will deter some, but there are enough solid verses and clever arrangements throughout to satisfy anyone.

    The best tween album ya ever did hear, it's also for the tween in all of us.
  3. ben_zo77
    Sep 23, 2015
    8
    I welcome something this unique in 2015. I never really understood the hype associated with this album, however. I think Surf is a consistently above-average indie hip hop album with a few elite moments. It's ambitious, yet bland. The message is great, but the delivery is a little flawed on many songs. Trimming the album down to 10 or 11 tracks would have greatly helped focus the conceptI welcome something this unique in 2015. I never really understood the hype associated with this album, however. I think Surf is a consistently above-average indie hip hop album with a few elite moments. It's ambitious, yet bland. The message is great, but the delivery is a little flawed on many songs. Trimming the album down to 10 or 11 tracks would have greatly helped focus the concept of the album. ~ 7.9/10
    Best track: "Windows" (feat. Raury & BJ the Chicago Kid)
    Other notable tracks: "Go", "Sunday Candy" & "Pass The Vibes"    … Expand
  4. keve16
    Jul 3, 2015
    8
    7.5/10................................................................................................................................................
  5. JayUrban
    Jul 16, 2015
    10
    This album is incredible.

    Surf, as Chance has said, is not a Chance the Rapper album. It is a Donnie Trumpet album featuring The Social Experiment. So you're listening to a jazz trumpet album with notable HipHop influences. It's brilliant. Live instrumentation, deep chord progressions and wonderful writing. They meshed with Busta Rhymes, Big Sean, Erykah Badu, J. Cole and D.R.A.M. as    This album is incredible.

    Surf, as Chance has said, is not a Chance the Rapper album. It is a Donnie Trumpet album featuring The Social Experiment. So you're listening to a jazz trumpet album with notable HipHop influences. It's brilliant.

    Live instrumentation, deep chord progressions and wonderful writing. They meshed with Busta Rhymes, Big Sean, Erykah Badu, J. Cole and D.R.A.M. as if they too were a part of the Social Experiment. Literally one of the best albums I've heard this decade.

    I see people complaining about Caretaker (which is one of my favorite songs on the album) or Warm Enough (transitions perfectly from the hyper Slip N Slide). But it's the role that these songs play when listening to the album as a whole that help the "Wanna Be Cool" and the "Go" sound so colorful. Its really a carefully constructed, beautiful album.

    Bravo!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The Source
    Aug 4, 2015
    70
    Surf's arbitrary, spontaneous nature is one of the chief reason's it's such a well put together album. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.89]
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 30, 2015
    80
    So Surf continues--infectious, light and upbeat, but never inane. It begs you to feel included, and wide-awake.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    Jun 16, 2015
    70
    A warm, evocative pop-soul-jazz album that comes straight from the heart.
    Read full review
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