As the album feels like a callback to his formative years, at least sonically speaking, it may be alienating to those who prefer the more refined griminess explored on his last drop. Yet there’s something pure about hearing Gunn trade bars with Benny The Butcher (who absolutely snaps on this one) and Boldy James, who closes the track with some stellar words of his own. As per usual, Gunn is typically outlandish, alternating lavish gangsta rap bars with off-kilter singing — endearing for fans and bizarre for skeptics. Should you fall into the latter category, don’t expect “Buffs Vs Wires” to convert you. But should you occupy the former, there’s plenty to enjoy on this one.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Track and field, running packs, I’m still subtracting real numbers
I took a loss and just had to build from it, y’all broke the code
Threw dirt on gang when y’all spoke to Hov, that was reckless
That’s expected, VS cuts on my wrist big enough to catch infections
This heckler on me protect the homies, Boldy and West
I treated my .40 just like my only connect