“It's simply not something I'm personally coming back too" - Anonymous user

Danny Brown is back! And he’s stirring the pot again. Just a week ago, the Detroit legend dropped his long-awaited and highly acclaimed new album. "STARDUST" and honestly… we’re split here at PC*. On one side, you’ve got critics and AOTY stans calling it another modern masterpiece, Pitchfork practically crowned it the second coming of Atrocity Exhibition. But on the other, the internet isn’t so sure. Scroll through Reddit or Twitter (sorry, X) and you’ll find fans scratching their heads, wondering if Danny might’ve missed the mark this time. There’s no denying his raw vocal talent and off the wall delivery, he’s been one of rap’s most distinct voices for over a decade. From the chaotic brilliance of Atrocity Exhibition to his sharp lyricism on his XXL freshman freestyle back in 2012. Danny’s proven he’s got bars, brains, and that unpredictable energy that keeps the rap game exciting.

But with Stardust, things feel a little different. The flows? Classic Danny, weird, witty, and wild as ever. The lyrics? Still razor sharp like always. The issue for us lies heavily in the production, which feels oddly muted for an artist known for pushing limits. Collaborators like Frost Children, Quadeca, and Jane Remover all known for their boundary breaking approach to experimental electronic and hyperpop quite often bring intriguing sounds to the table, but they somehow never fully connect. The beats feel restrained, like they were holding back to fit Danny’s comfort zone instead of embracing their usual chaos. It’s not that the songs are bad, but they often sound unfinished, as if they were like sketches of something great that didn’t quite materialize.

Some moments drag, especially that nearly eight-minute track near the end that feels more exhausting than expansive, and while the 14 song tracklist sounds decent on paper, it comes off a little too short and uneven after such a long wait. Stardust isn’t a flop by any means, NOT EVEN CLOSE! but it’s not quite the cosmic explosion we were hoping for either. Danny’s still one of the sharpest voices in hip hop, but the production choices hold this project back from the greatness we know he’s capable of. Personally, I’m sitting at a 4/10 but hey, maybe I’m the one tripping. What do you guys think?