The Singles Jukebox

Incredibly, only their second appearance round these parts…

[Video]
[5.00]

Rebecca A. Gowns: I like the beat and they seem to be having a good time. You know, I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m a big fan of Brockhampton. Not a stan — no, I don’t follow any of their exploits, I don’t know all of their personal backstories, I can’t rattle off their songs off the top of my head. They just make me happy. Now that I’m a 30-something parent, I can’t help but feel an endearing sense of warmth towards them, like, oh good, so glad to see the youths playing together, making music together, making friends. They seem to have a large following and have made (looks up from glasses) 5 studio albums thus far??? Good for them!
[8]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: At their best, Brockhampton’s music works through the magic of a dozen competing creative influences coming together in synthesis — the jarring mix of styles and textures works because you can see the unity of purpose.  But I can’t figure out what the purpose of “I Been Born Again” is — it’s all clutter and excess, and no core thesis to hang them on.
[4]

Alfred Soto: A mix of the excellent (Joba’s distorted monologue, Kevin Abstract’s half-year reminder to the audience that he’s queer) and the dull (Merlyn’s Dennis Rodman bit): the usual Brockhampton experience. 
[6]

Kylo Nocom: Why is the most sensitive member of Brockhampton trying to act hard in the intro? Why is Kevin so bored? Why do the two most interesting members of the group get two short verses right next to each other? Why is Joba’s voice pitched down and why does he get half of the song to himself when he’s literally the worst rapper in the group? Somehow, they have managed to make a song that contains pretty much everything I hate about the band. “You oughta be ashamed of yourselves” indeed.
[2]

Joshua Lu: “I Been Born Again” feels oddly flat for America’s biggest boyband, and its attempt at grit rings instead as detachment. The instrumental provides tension and intrigue, but only the bridge (whoever’s yelling there really deserves a credit, Adele Givens style) and Matt Champion’s outro manage to bring the energy it demands.
[4]

Tim de Reuse: “Low-energy” is not really a term I’d associate with most of Brockhampton’s finest output. I’m certain these guys are capable of proving me wrong — but this feels like a cut off of their Saturation trilogy recorded while everyone was falling asleep.
[4]

Nortey Dowuona: Bearface gently whispers to introduce us to Kevin still being the normal one as Merlyn careens in, hyped up. Dom glides past and Joba slams down on the listing bass, dribbling drum loops, and crunchy piano lunges while Matt closes the trap around your head.
[7]