Whenever Denzel Curry speaks, the hip-hop community seemingly stops and stares and what he has to say.
Stemming from his 2020 collaborative project UNLOCKED with Kenny Beats, as well as its revised version in UNLOCKED 1.5, Curry’s prowess as a lyricist is undeniable in every right — defiantly captivating listeners with projects in TA13OO (2018) and ZUU (2019) over the past several years. Now, the Florida native pens his latest chapter, dropping his fifth studio album Melt My Eyez, See Your Future on Friday (March 25).
Sharing the album’s third single “Troubles” with T-Pain and Kenny Beats earlier this week (March 20), Zel previously put out promotional tracks in “Zatoichi” and “Walkin” to lead in his comeback effort. Featuring some of the game’s most charismatic personalities in Rico Nasty, JID and slowthai, other hitmakers in T-PAIN and 6lack also join Buzzy Lee and Bridget Perez in his experimental, Japanese-inspired universe.
The production credits are equally as thrilling within Zel’s new era, as Melt My Eyez’s star-powered cast of producers seamlessly bring together a cacophony of styles. Along with Kenny Beats and DJ Khalil on “Troubles,” production icons like Boi-1da, Cardo, Powers Pleasant, Thundercat, Dot the Genius, JPEGMAFIA, Robert Grasper and others all aided to the album’s eclectic soundscape.
With highlights in “Melt Session #1,” “Ain’t No Way,” “X-Wing” and “Sanjuro” with Frank Ocean co-sign 454, its not only astonishing to see Zel immerse himself into a new sound, but continues to showcase his ability to think ahead with sample heavy instrumentation, multiple beat switch-ups and differing energies and tones throughout the LP. Cohesive, expressive and versatile to its core, MMESTF is already widely embraced by artists and fans alike — taking to social media to share their thoughts on the record.
“‘Melt My Eyez’ is a metaphor for things we choose not to see on a daily basis: we avoid people, we avoid the news, we avoid criticism, but most importantly, we avoid facing the truth ourselves when it’s right in front of us. ‘See Your Future’ comes from self-reflection and the realization that I’m going to do something to better the world by letting them know that we are all the same and we can move forward in life if we don’t focus on the past.”
Denzel Curry on the meaning behind the album title to Loud & Quiet
Initially announcing the project on Jan. 5, Melt My Eyez was introduced by a brief yet stunning visual trailer. As he ventures through an empty desert alone, a list of credits for the album appear with Denzel writing in the description: “MELT MY EYEZ SEE YOUR FUTURE… COMING TO A STEREO NEAR YOU. Stay Close.”
While comparably forward-thinking to his third studio album TA13OO — which holds 13 tracks of tantalizing experimental hip-hop, and perhaps the most lyrically impressive of his catalog — it had altered hip-hop fans’ perception of Curry and boosted him atop conversation when discussing the genre’s most talented, expressive wordsmiths.
While each of his projects showcase the “rough around the edges” ball of energy Denzel is, Melt My Eyez is certainly one of, if not Curry’s best offerings yet. Simply put, Zeltron is “Walkin” his way to legendary acclaim, existing in a new world and completely reinventing his sound for the better.
Listen to Denzel Curry’s new album below!
