Album Review: Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' is Production Heaven

Let's overlook the fact that Kanye West name-dropped Taylor Swift, claims that he is $53 Million in debt, asked Mark Zuckerberg for $1 billion and said that opening one school in Africa doesn't really help the country.

Instead, the focus will solely be on The Life of Pablo and how he managed to win fans over with the music.

"Ultralight Beams" kicks The Life of Pablo off with the Gospel tones that Kanye told fans would be featured on the album. The track is layered nicely but Chance The Rapper is the shining star with a lyrical onslaught that is not only insightful but also quite infectious. Meanwhile, "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1" reunites Kanye and Kid Cudi. Though he is only on the hook it's so refreshing to hear Cudi and Kanye together.

The production of the song features a few samples and DJ cuts before transitioning to "Pt. 2." "Pt. 2" features the lyrics that West revealed on the day of his Madison Square Garden show and is totally not what we expected.

It features a heavy beat with chopping verses from Desiigner, an Brooklyn artist who sounds like a cross between Migos and Future. It also features a haunting outro by Caroline Shaw.

Then, we dip out toes in a little controversy with "Famous" featuring Rihanna, Swizz Beatz and a sample of Sister Nancy's timeless Reggae record "Bam Bam." This is the track where Kanye name-drops Taylor Swift but for the entirety of this album it seems like Kanye is really just lyrically spazzing out. When it comes to "Famous" the second half featuring the breakdown with "Bam Bam" is incredible.

You can vibe to a loop of that and not get tired of it it's that damn good.

On "Feedback" there is a bit of a Yeezus twist but Kanye does take some time to address a pretty big social issue with police brutality.

Kanye raps, "Hands up, we just doing what the cops taught us/Hands up, hands up, then the cops shot us." Then Kanye declares that he is the ghetto Oprah but we beg to differ after the $53 million debt claim and the prices and exclusivity of his clothing line and sneakers.

Another Gospel breakdown comes from "Low Lights", which Kanye says he put on the album with his mother in mind. Of course after "Low Lights" comes the "Highlights" featuring Young Thug, The Dream and El Debarge. Fans will be treated to a slight jab at Ray J over the one and only Kim Kardashian.

The beat is also pretty bouncy and lyrically Kanye goes off so much it feels like this might have been one of his personal favorites.

Kanye's "Freestyle 4" brings the Yeezus tone back in with it's unorthodox beat and raunchy lyrics. The song was also featured on Kanye's Yeezy.Supply website in a more distorted manner, on the day of his show at MSG. It features a short hook from Desiigner once more. Then, Kanye introduces a short freestyle called "I Love Kanye" where he practically reiterates the words of fans who preferred the old Kanye and realizes how much Kanye loves himself.

The Life of Pablo continues with "Waves," featuring Chris Brown. The song was written and arranged by Chance The Rapper and was the reason the release of the album was delayed. You can also hear shades of Kid Cudi's signature humming.

The beat is more towards the angelic side of things and is overall one of the highlights on the album. From one highlight to another the next track "FML" featuring The Weeknd.

The Weeknd's powerful vocals appear on the track that feels like it could have been a cut from 808s & Heartbreak.

Production again like all of the tracks on the album is strong and the sample from Section 25's "Hit" is the perfect melancholic way to end the track.

The Life of Pablo then breaks into familiar singles like "Real Friends" featuring Ty Dolla $ign, "Wolves" featuring Sia and unexpectedly Frank Ocean rather than Vic Mensa, "30 Hours," "No More Parties In LA" featuring Kendrick Lamar and "Facts." Interestingly enough, there is a "Silver Surfer Intermission" featuring the creator of the Wave movement, Max B. Then, The Life of Pablo comes to a close with "Fade" featuring Post Malone and Ty Dolla $ign.

It's an upbeat track that inspires your feet to start tapping.

Overall this version of The Life of Pablo is quite successful musically.

We say this version because there is speculation surrounding the fact that Kanye plans on "fixing" "Wolves" before the wider release of the album at the end of the week.

Many have been calling this the best Kanye West album ever, we'd like to think it's due to the fact that every type of Kanye's musical endeavors is present, just as Ebro Darden said after hearing the project. There's a little something for everyone on this album which is why it is a successful body of work.

Wanna read more on this? Check these out: What's Kanye West Doing At Trump Tower? Secretary Kanye? (Watch) (more); Kanye West Releases '30 Hours' New Track and 'The Life of Pablo' Releases Today (more).