The Singles Jukebox

Real chill, I’m searching for a real chill.

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[6.00]Jonathan Bradley: The beat is old news and the hook just whatever, but all the fun of “Real Chill” is in its punchlines. Kodak Black does little with his guest spot, though I do like his circuitous explanation for why he disregards his mom’s requests not to thieve (“I don’t listen to her cause I still steal.”) Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, however, show why they’re the Black Beatles even on an off-day: the latter has pockets fat (“Uncle Phil”), while the former steals the show in eight lines. Or maybe he does it with just two: “I can’t even cruise because I got a spoiler/Hit the store, buy the store; let’s not loiter.” He buys the store!
[6]

Micha Cavaseno: Mike Will’s “sound” was always bordering on generic filler beats. When he emerged, I always questioned how rap bloggers would fawn over the Lex Luger For Dummies of “Tupac Back” while bemoaning Lil’ Lody’s attempts at reworking the style. Likewise, Rae Sremmurd for all their best moments, have always felt like the cleanest sort of modern frat rap in non-pop mode; given their proximity to the dull as fuck Two-9 crew (also affiliated with Mike Will) I shouldn’t be surprised. So it’s wild to hear after a pretty acceptable Slim Jxmmi verse, an eye-rolly Makonnen biting hook from Swae, how GOOD it feels to hear as good a rapper as Kodak Black. Some people try to make what sounds like good songs; some people are just good.
[5]

Thomas Inskeep: It’s impossible for this not to be a couple notches below the world-conquering “Black Beatles,” so I’m trying not to hold that against this. Mike WiLL Made-It’s the MVP here, constructing an eerily woozy late-night party cut for the Sremmurd guys and Kodak to ride. This is absolutely their #aesthetic.
[6]

Jibril Yassin: Save for “Black Beatles,” SremmLife 2 was largely a low-output affair all about the right atmosphere. Sadly, this is one of the few times where you can’t really count on Swae Lee to carry the song; his hook and verse are far too grating and creepy to complement Mike WiLL Made-It’s eerie production. Rather it’s Slim Jxmmi and Kodak who save the day, the latter’s usual sandpaper delivery sweetened to something sounding almost melodic. Meanwhile, it’s the former’s understated MVP performance of a first verse that keeps this from flatlining completely.
[5]

Ryo Miyauchi: Mike Will makes being “real chill” sound not at all like a fun time. It’s definitely the opposite mode that the Sremmurds have thrived in, but here the chill hangs more sinister, like the panicked numbness that creeps on when you binged a few too many. Slim Jxmmi barks as if to resist. Swae Lee feels around just to be sure he still has his senses intact.
[6]

Josh Langhoff: Rhythmically, Swae Lee’s verse here is the least of the three. I’m sure the American Association of Store Proprietors (“the AASP”) breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing his “Let’s not loiter” slogan, possibly even commissioning some READ-style posters for their front windows, but his real glory comes on the hook, where he out-eeries the horror movie accompaniment by changing timbres and registers and smoking some kill like Schoolly D. It makes a nice counterpoint to Slim Jxmmi’s Kool Herc shoutout. Speaking of old school: between “Let’s not loiter,” the “for whatever reason” that pops up in “Black Beatles,” and the entire chorus and concept of “By Chance,” Swae’s exaggerated sense of propriety has become his greatest charm. Who’d be surprised to see him in an actual READ poster, holding a copy of What Do You Say, Dear?
[7]

Alfred Soto: Like “Bad and Boujee,” a triumph of space and punctuative profanity. I’m not sure what I can write: it’s catchy, funny (I crack up when Swae Lee unleashes his awful falsetto), and rather stupid. Not stupid: Kodak Black.
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