With the release of “Ransom” from his debut mixtape “We Love You Tecca” in 2019, Lil Tecca has been at a steady standstill with his popularity since the release of what some might call his one-hit-wonder. After his debut mixtape, Tecca has released three albums and various extended play albums. His three albums include his debut album “Virgo World”, his second, “We Love You Tecca 2” and finally his newest release, “TEC,” released on Sept. 22.
“TEC” contains 16 tracks. Each one has a unique production with multiple songs transitioning into one another. For example, the first song on the tracklist, “Yves,” slowly transitions into the second song, “HVN ON EARTH.” I have taken into account Tecca’s flow, the mixing and mastering of the beat, and how well the song retains in my brain.
Top Three
“500lbs”
The fourth song on the album, “500lbs,” was the first song I listened to since it was released before the album. The song starts with some funky instrumentals that are repeated throughout a lot of the track. Once it gets going, there are some soft bells and some deep 808s added into the background. While all of that goes on, Tecca talks about his successes, how he has little trust in the world, and his dedication to a lover. Overall, I’d give the track a solid seven out of 10. The beat is something new and is quite catchy, but he raps about the same thing as most other rappers do. It also might be because I’ve listened to the song enough times to make it lose its luster.
“HVN ON EARTH” with Kodak Black
“HVN ON EARTH” is the second song on “TEC” and was produced by BNYX and Tecca himself. Originally, I didn’t want to listen to this song because the Spotify preview didn’t sound great. Eventually, I caved in and gave it a listen and was pleasantly surprised. The song starts with the producer tags then drops hi-hats, 808s, and what sounds like one high note played again and again. There are also vocals in the background that repeat “That’s my heaven on Earth.” The song is catchy, bouncy and overall, uplifting. The only problem that I have really is Kodak Black’s part of the song. It’s not bad, but the way he is rapping doesn’t fit the vibe very well. “HVN ON EARTH” gets an eight and a half out of 10.
“Trippin On U”
On the more mellow, depressive side of the album, we have the 13th track, “Trippin On U.” The song describes how Tecca uses drugs as a coping mechanism for dealing with a lover who hasn’t been reciprocating the same feelings. He also reflects on his quick rise to fame and how he is still adjusting. The track starts off with a low piano note and what sounds like several xylophone notes afterward. The piano continues for the rest of the track and soon includes 808s, quiet synths, and toward the end, a distorted version of the beat. It was a difficult choice for the top three spot, between this song and “Gist,” the third song of the album. In the end, the variation for this one gave it its place and an eight out of 10. I feel like the track could’ve been longer, but it wasn’t anything to gripe about.
Bottom Three
“TEC”
Despite being the name of the album, “TEC” wasn’t too great of a song. I think, for me, the only enjoyable part of the song was the beat. The beginning drops you into the song way too quickly, and Tecca’s flow sounds a little off until it all settles down after a couple of seconds. The lyrics are somewhat catchy, but he is mostly spelling out three-letter words, and it doesn’t make it very interesting as he ends up repeating it later in the song. Although, in the end, the song does feature a very nice transition to the next song, “Salty.” There wasn’t very much to enjoy regarding this song though, so it gets a five out of 10.
“Used2This”
“Used2This” immediately surrounds you into the beat. It sounds like something that someone would find within a retro game. It was interesting, but it didn’t add too much to the lyrics and the flow. The lyrics weren’t very original. They lined up with what every other rapper raps about. His flow was different, but nothing too different from what he has done in the past. The beat also conflicted with everything else, as it is somewhat distracting with its exotic sounds. It also has a very odd mood switch toward the end of the song where it transitions to “Trippin on U.” For that, I’d like to give it half a point, so “Used2This” gets a five and a half out of 10.
“Monday to Sunday”
The 16th and final track of the album, “Monday to Sunday,” is okay. That is about as much and as little as I can give about this track. The beat consists of what sounds like two notes repeated consistently, deep, heavy 808s, hi-hats, and other forms of percussion. The song gets a little repetitive because of Tecca’s rhyming scheme staying the same for what seems like almost all of the song. The beat also gets slightly repetitive because of the two notes from the beginning being played over and over again. Since it is the last track, it does loop back to the first track, “Yves,” so it has that going for it. Other than that, it also gets a five and a half out of 10.
