In 2021, shortly after Ken Carson became the first signee to Playboi Carti’s label Opium, rumors spread that another Atlanta rapper, Destroy Lonely, would be next. Carti reportedly heard Lonely’s crepuscularly ambient “</3” (Heartbreak), an album built on an eerie, silky soundscape unlike anything Atlanta had heard before, which fit perfectly with the sound and image he wanted for the label. The rumors were confirmed on Carti’s King Vamp Tour, with Lonely opening select dates, appearing on Carti’s “@opium_00pium” account, and releasing his debut album No Stylist on August 12, 2022.

Fast forward to September 19, 2025: Destroy Lonely dropped the third installment of his Heartbreak series, “</3³”. While the album shows technical growth, some of the soul and depth feels lost. Since the first Heartbreak album, Lonely has released four other projects: the second Heartbreak album, No Stylist, If Looks Could Kill, and Love Lasts Forever. Fans generally agree his music started to drop off with If Looks Could Kill, as he cut ties with producers who built his sound in favor of industry names. By Love Lasts Forever, he had mostly abandoned his roots, frustrating fans.

With “</3³”, Lonely tries to recover by returning to his early ideas visually and sonically. Still, it’s clear he wants mainstream appeal, and in my opinion, it doesn’t work. His early charm came from an underground feel, experimental flows, and left-field production, which he continues to move away from. The production here nods to his beginnings but can’t fully come to fruition without the producers who built his sound.

That said, the project has highlights. Kansas and the back half of Soooo High give glimpses of the “real” Destroy Lonely. Even the singles, Jumanji and Screwed Up, are catchy and well-made. Yet most of the album, while polished, feels flat and uninspired. No matter how many times I relistened, I found myself bored, something that never happened with his earlier music.

Destroy Lonely’s true artistic value lies in his original sound and vision. Everything since has felt like an attempt to become someone he isn’t.

Rating: 5/10