Review: Goldlink’s production on ‘HARAM’ stands out

by Timothy Moss
The "Crew" artist, Goldlink, released his fourth studio album this summer. Goldlink has dropped a lot of dance inspired music on his previous projects and this one was not that far off of his typical formula, but what did stand out about this project was the production type.
The first chunk of tracks from "Extra Clip" to "White Walls" gave off a heavy trap feeling with his vocals being distorted and under the radar compared to the production. The content was surface level, and he wasn't really saying anything that would be deemed to standout. His flow and the way he rhymed over those joints was smooth and coagulated. I can say the same for a lot of tracks on this project especially when the production style flipped and moved all over the place.
The "Crew" artist, Goldlink, released his fourth studio album this summer. Goldlink has dropped a lot of dance inspired music on his previous projects and this one was not that far off of his typical formula, but what did stand out about this project was the production type.

The "Crew" artist, Goldlink, released his fourth studio album this summer. Goldlink has dropped a lot of dance inspired music on his previous projects and this one was not that far off of his typical formula, but what did stand out about this project was the production type.
We started to receive some R&B influenced bass-lines overtime on tracks like "Spit on it," which was a lot softer compared to the more aggressive first couple tracks. The only track that gave me a more reminiscent feeling of previous Goldlink work was "Evian" featuring PinkPantheress, Rizloski & Rax, simply because it was that dubstep dancing production that Goldlink has rhymed over in the past, so it made sense.
At this point of project, I didn't know what direction we were going in with this album vocally wise because that distorted effect Goldlink had on voice started to get overbearing, but it went away on the track "Raindrops" featuring Flo Milli, which was a beautiful track. Goldlink's lyrics still weren't anything mind blowing, and it came off a little disappointing, but I personally don't think that was a prime focus of this album. I think Goldlink wanted a chance to showcase that he is versatile over different sounds and that he is fluid in accompanying other types of new artist and some people that you usually don't see other artist collaborate with.
My favorite track was probably the last song "Cindy's Daughter" featuring Bibi Bourelly. I loved the mood and the feeling of this track with the Slow Soulful instrumental and the chorus giving off a "I don't care I'm relaxing" type of feel, it just made for a good closure to a pretty "out-the-box" type of album.
This album was only 36 minutes long, but it was so unorthodox and all over the place that it made the length feel expanded, and that's not a bad thing at all because I really like this project. This just may be my favorite Goldlink album. Also, the features added a lot of color and imaginative creativity to these songs.
I didn't expect Rich The Kid to provide any good quality vocals, but he surprised me and actually made me enjoy the track "Twin" more. This was a good Summer project made for the mood of being out having fun and enjoying yourself. Everybody should definitely check this album out and get into discussion about what you thought of this album.
Tim Moss is a mass communications major and member of the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats Marching Band