Orlando rapper Maxon has been making waves since last summer with his breakout single “Syrup,” which gained serious traction on TikTok and Instagram. It showcased real promise for a fresh voice in the underground scene, and I felt that promise too. Soon after, he dropped the charmingly experimental EP Healthy and singles like “Austin Powers” and “Sexual Fantasies,” both of which passed 1 million streams, pushing Maxon into a new tier of underground recognition—all within his first year of releasing music.

After a steady stream of singles, live shows, and growing anticipation, Maxon just released his debut album Filthy. But to be honest, it has me questioning my early impressions of him as a fearless experimentalist. Much of the album plays it safe. From the beat selection to the standard mixing and toned-down vocals, it feels like Maxon took what people liked about his music and watered it down. The track “Suck,” for example, which acts as the lead single, doesn’t compel me as a listener and leaves a manufactured impression.

That said, not everything fell flat. The opener “Want It All” is a sincere, catchy tribute to Maxon’s artistic ambition. “Endless Season” taps into a nostalgic sound reminiscent of early Yung Lean or Travis Scott, something rare today. “SKRRTT!” is a confident implication of ambition and resilience. And singles “TTB” and “Tokyo Drift,” which made it onto the album, do reflect some genuine growth.

Still, the bulk of Filthy feels like a mainstream cop-out. It’s a listenable project, and many will enjoy it, but it strays from what drew fans to Maxon in the first place: the muddy distortion, grimy flows, and avant-garde beats. Maxon is a merciless innovator at heart, but this album sounds like he played it safe out of fear of losing that new audience.

Rating: 6/10