Watch the official visual for “Holy Grail” by JAY Z featuring ustin Timberlake. Directed by Anthony Mandler. JAY Z’s new album “Magna Carta… Holy Grail" is available now on iTunes.
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Jay-Z’s Magna Carta…Holy Grail summed up simply is back and forth confusion of feelings. Despite going platinum before release and being produced by Timbaland (who makes everything sounds awe-inspiring and grand), Holy Grail doesn’t feel real.
Jay-Z is a man with enough money to run a large third world country and enough possessions to keep him occupied 24/7, but none of that can fill the void for one’s passion for creative music. Many tracks on Holy Grail speak about hating fame, and hating paparazzi, but it is all justified by the amount of possessions and money Jay-Z has. The songs simply don’t feel authentic; listeners will really get the feeling that this is just another money making record. To be fair, there are some good catchy songs on here such as the title track Holy Grail featuring Justin Timberlake, Oceans featuring Frank Ocean and Tom Ford.
Lyrically, everything feels like its run into the ground and uninspiring. Don’t get me wrong though, this album is not bad! It’s still a Jay-Z record, still amazing studio quality and production and the list of guest vocalists will catch your eye (list includes Rick Ross and Beyoncé as well as the others listed above). I believe listeners will and should expect more from an artist of this level though. Old school fans will miss the old Z, but he’s despite his lacking enthusiasm, he is still a phenomenal MC.
Regardless of the downsides to this album, it’s still worth checking out. I believe listeners will enjoy Jay-Z’s older work on The Blueprint Print 1,2 & 3, The Black Album and Collision Course, but for those who need the newest hit tracks and the 12th album to their Jay-Z collection, pick up Magna Carta…Holy Grail.
7/10
Ryan