Untamed

Dusty Locane's debut album, Untamed, arrived in early December 2021, delayed two weeks following the untimely death of Young Dolph. The Brooklyn native reached viral status with singles like "Rollin N Controllin Freestyle" and "Rolando (Caught in the Rain)," which prompted comparisons to the late Pop Smoke. The two actually grew up in the same neighborhood (Canarsie) and played basketball together, and it's clear that Locane's style is influenced by Smoke's, as he often has a similarly gruff, sinister delivery -- the way he says the word "party" in "Iced Out" is an immediate callback to Pop Smoke's breakout hit, "Welcome to the Party." Still, his debut album shows some range, balancing hard-edged narratives with more introspective moments, and featuring atmospheric elements such as strings, acoustic guitars, and choirs along with inventive beat programming. Aside from the big singles, the stark, unflinching "Rewind" is the record's most captivating moment. Considering that Smoke's posthumous releases have been label-driven attempts at pop crossovers that haven't honored the rapper's legacy, Locane's work seems more genuine, and his debut establishes him as a notable player in Brooklyn's ever-evolving drill scene. ~ Paul Simpson