Mental (album)

Mental
Studio album by KJ-52
Released October 21, 2014
Genre Christian hip hop
Length 32:21
Label The Paradigm Collective
Producer Solomon Olds
KJ-52 chronology

Dangerous
(2012)		 Mental
(2014)

Mental marks the ninth album from KJ-52. The Paradigm Collective released the project on October 21, 2014. kJ-52 worked with Solomon Olds on the production of this album.

Background

This is KJ-52's ninth album and the follow-up to 2012's Dangerous.

Music

CCM Magazine, "Backed by killer beats, fashionable electronics and in-vogue vocals, KJ pits his sophisticated wordplay against current cultural issues to press out a perseverant scriptural message for all people."[1] Jesus Freak Hideout, "Mental does not really sound like something I would have expected KJ to make, and it is way too easy to pin him as simply trying to morph his sound into a mold that sells better, but it would be unfair to the quality of Mental to do so."[2] New Release Tuesday, "This new KJ is no less about fun, but he has added an aggressive maturity to his music."[3] Indie Vision Music, "With Lecrae (by way of remix), Tedashii, KB, Propaganda, and Flame all showing up, Mental feels as much like a Reach Records or 116 clique album as it does a new KJ-52 joint. But, add in gratuitous use of former Family Force 5-er Soul Glo Activatur, as well as guys like Social Club and SPZRKT and a bold new experience takes shape."[4]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
CCM Magazine [1]
Indie Vision Music [4]
Jesus Freak Hideout [2]
New Release Tuesday [3]

Specifying in a four star out of five review by CCM Magazine, Andrew Greer recognizes, "the multi-Dove Award-winning wordsmith poises his ninth recording for the ultimate spiritual confrontation."[1] Mark Rice, agrees it is a four-star album for Jesus Freak Hideout, responds, "it is safe to call Mental one more step in the evolution of Mister Five-Tweezey, and a good step at that."[2] Signaling in another four star review from New Release Tuesday, Mark Ryan realizes, "Call it Spiritual or artistic maturity if you like, I will just call it a new attitude and a new passion ignited."[3] Lee Brown, indicating it is a four star project from Indie Vision Music, replies, "Mental brings five absolutely amazing tracks to the table, along with a couple remixes and one track that is ok, but doesn't hold its own against the weight of the rest."[4]

Tracks

No. Title Length
1. "Gameface (1st Half Edition)" (featuring Soul Glow Activatur, KB) 3:14
2. "Fight Music (I Don't Do Black or White Music)" (featuring Lecrae, Propaganda) 3:35
3. "Island of the Misfit Toys" (featuring Social Club, SPZRKT) 4:23
4. "Mental" (featuring Soul Glow Activatur, Tedashii) 3:53
5. "Tonight"   3:25
6. "Gameface (2nd Half Edition)" (featuring Soul Glow Activatur, KB, FLAME) 3:12
7. "Fresh Kicks On"   3:22
8. "It's Going Down [Remix]" (featuring Canton Jones) 3:21
9. "Brand New Day [Remix]" (featuring Bethany Jo, Humble Tip) 3:56
Total length:
 32:21

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[5] 12
US Top Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[6] 10
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[7] 21

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Greer, Andrew. "KJ-52: Mental". CCM Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rice, Mark. "KJ-52, "Mental" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ryan, Mark. "A New Gameface". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Brown, Lee. "KJ-52 - Mental". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ "KJ-52 Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Christian Albums for KJ-52. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ "KJ-52 Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums for KJ-52. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ "KJ-52 Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Top Rap Albums for KJ-52. Retrieved January 21, 2015.