The House is Burning
| Isaiah RashadThe House is Burning
The House Is Burning is the third studio album by American rapper Isaiah Rashad. It was released on July 30, 2021, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Warner Records. The album features production from numerous producers, including Devin Malik, Hollywood Cole, J. Lbs and Kenny Beats, among others. Guest appearances include frequent collaborators and labelmates Jay Rock and SZA, as well as Lil Uzi Vert, Duke Deuce, Smino, Amindi, 6lack, and others. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
The TDE rapper returns with newfound poise and even joy, taking R&B, Southern rap, and his inimitable lyrical style and casting it into a sophisticated collage.
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Clash Magazine
It captures that woozy moment when he mas mid-fall, not at rock bottom but tumbling down towards it. The track’s old-time, soulful, Commodore-like rendering places it firmly in his rearview as he cruises towards a hopeful future.
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Hot New Hip Hop
Those who can appreciate slow-burning and deliberately structured stories will find much to gain from living with Rashad’s latest. It’s not entirely accessible, though hardly a niche display of experimentation. Perhaps it has simply become a little jarring to see a mainstream album arranged with the meticulous touch of an auteur.
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Medium
It’s a great listen from start to finish with a few unforgettable songs but is overall another stellar addition to Isaiah Rashad’s discography.
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Beats Per Minute
Therein lies both the power and subtle confidence at play within The House is Burning. It may demand time and focus, but for those interested in a hip hop album that seeks understanding rather than any immediate gratification, this is a quiet, restrained, and uniquely giving world.
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Focus Hip Hop
This album is mostly gonna be played in the background since it doesn’t require active listening to be fully enjoyed. I think fans will probably enjoy this if they liked The Sun’s Tirade because it’s basically more of that sound. With that said, this is my least favorite project from Isaiah Rashad. It’s decent though.
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Hip-Hop Wired
Rashad doesn’t paint himself as some tortured yet redeemed saint, nor does he make excuses for his excesses. Instead, The House Is Burning reveals that Zay is still working out the kinks and, as the ending of “HB2U” drones via a somber chant, “You are now a human being.” And, with that, being human is what Isaiah Rashad ultimately displays in the end.
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In Review Online
The House is Burning finds Rashad asserting personhood over persona, to mostly career-stabilizing effect.
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AllMusic
While THIB is a back-to-front vibe and an intriguing experiment for Zay's mellowed-out sound, it's one that's still negotiating its own limits.
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Magnetic Magazine
Isaiah Rashad has been through a lot in the past five years, seeing his house fall apart and before slowly managing to put it back together. This album is in part that journey. One of the more talented rappers in the game right now is inviting you into his house right now. It may still be a little messy, but it is getting better and it sounds great.
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The Line of Best Fit
Isaiah Rashad’s return on The House Is Burning is a glorious reminder of his introspective gaze.
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Sputnik Music
The House is Burning has the dreamily timeless feel of his best work, without living up to the absurdly high standard Cilvia Demo set.
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Ratings Game Music
The beats on The House Is Burning are so f**king good, right? Each one boasts therapeutic elements and old time hood feels. I give the beats on this album an A!
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Stereogum
The House Is Burning is not a major statement, and it doesn’t try to be one. It’s simply an album that sounds great. Plenty of days, I’d rather have an album like that than another major statement.
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Exclaim!
Isaiah Rashad Is at the Top of His Game on 'The House Is Burning'.
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