Review: B.o.B Strange Clouds

BY BRANDON SLOANE

Rap superstar Bobby Ray Simmons also known as B.o.B. is at it again with the release of his second studio album Strange Clouds. Strange Clouds incorporates elements of fast paced rapping and the catchy melodies that helped B.o.B rise to stardom. However, unlike his previous works, Strange Clouds has more of a rock feel and utilizes the guitar and drums more than the traditional studio beats heard on most of his albums.

Strange Clouds takes listeners all over the emotional spectrum and uses many different styles. Tracks such as “Both of us” and “So hard to breathe” show a tender side of B.o.B with themes of love and relationships, while songs like “Bombs Away” and “Strange Clouds” have an upbeat, exciting feel to them that hype up the listener.

As always, B.o.B shows off his versatility as an artist in Strange Clouds. He flawlessly collaborates with a multitude of artists including Lil Wayne and Taylor Swift, plus he succeeds in making each song completely different from the last one. Additionally, B.o.B shows off his ability as a singer as well as a rapper in this album, particularly in the song “So good”.

Overall, Strange Clouds is a hit in my book. There isn’t a single track on this album that disappoints. B.o.B employs a mixture of all the aspects that have helped him become successful with a plethora of new features to really wow his audience. The 23-year old rap phenomenon has produced another gem in Strange Clouds and I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.