REVIEW: Don Toliver - Heaven or Hell

4.5/10

Favorite Track: "After Party" Least Favorite Track: "No Photos"

Cactus Jack Records artist, Don Toliver, has come out with his debut studio album: Heaven or Hell. Toliver has gained a lot of traction over the past few years after releasing his first major label mixtape, Donny Womack, as well as appearing on Travis Scott’s critically acclaimed Astroworld and releasing his hit single “No Idea”. All of these releases have proved Toliver to be an exciting new figure in hip-hop, with a great ear for production choices and a truly unique voice with interesting vocal inflections. Heaven or Hell is a clear example of how much Toliver is influenced by other artists, and that he is still working at finding out his own sound. This is very evident after taking a look at cuts like the title track and the very Travis Scott-esque “Candy”, both of which feel way too close to his influences rather than a sound that is distinctly his own. With that being said, it is also evident that Toliver has a knack for putting together some super catchy trap songs, whether it be the horn-layered, energetic, “After Party”, with its lush production and spacey vocal lines that all culminate into a hell of an earworm, or the raw, synth-driven “Can't Feel My Legs”. These tracks show a lot about Toliver’s musical influences and choices, but most of all, it shows promise. Despite this album sounding very similar to the album he got his big break on, Astroworld, Toliver shows that he has been working to find his own sound, slowly but surely. There are some cuts on here that make it evident that he is throwing some ideas at the wall to see what sticks. Part of what makes this record sound like missed potential is that it feels less like a musical statement, and more of a sounding board for Toliver. If he continuously works at his craft from here on in, I can easily see Toliver becoming one of the most unique figures in hip-hop over the next few years. Until then, make sure to search through some of his less bold musical ideas for some super fun trap cuts that are bound to get stuck in your head.