Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, artist CheRomani began releasing music on SoundCloud in late 2021. Since then, he’s shortened his name to just Che and dropped three full-length albums: Closed Captions, Sayso Says, and his most recent, Rest In Bass, which has sparked controversy in the underground scene.

From what I’ve seen, the album has a polarizing effect. Some love it, others can’t stand it. Most of the criticism stems from the clear influence of Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, especially in the first five tracks. But from my perspective, the project takes an unexpected and compelling turn around track seven, Marceline, which I consider Che’s best song to date. It feels like the most confident and focused version of him, an embodiment of what made him stand out as an artist in the first place.

Following that, tracks like Dior Leopard, Mannequin, and Ba$$ continue that same energy and vision. The three features, from OsamaSon, Xaviersobased, and surprisingly, Chicago rapper Chuckyy, only elevate the project. Each artist adapts well to the production, with Chuckyy’s verse standing out in particular.

Overall, while the album may divide listeners, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I understand the critiques, but I also recognize Che’s growth as an artist. It’s worth noting that many opinions seem shaped by social media discourse, which can skew perception. So as always, this is your invitation to listen for yourself, Rest In Bass might not be as black-and-white as it seems.

Rating: 6.5/10