With the songs on “Rolling Papers,” Wiz Khalifa has laid down tracks with a dreamy, flowing groove created by smooth, soaring keyboard parts and well-composed beats. A groove that sometimes is excellent and inspiring.

This groove defines the album and gives the music vision. It lends itself to a consistent sound that is easy to listen to and creates a relaxing mood. I can see listeners putting on this album whenever they need to unwind.

It’s the use of keyboards that makes “Rolling Papers” stand out. Each track is constructed so you really feel the flow of each melodic phrase played by the keys. These phrases soar in a way that create the dreamy vibe that Khalifa was going for. It’s the bright tone, the simplicity, and the natural flow that gives these parts this feeling.

These leads are helped by the rhythm sections of the songs. The dreamy chords and sounds prop up the songs. Oftentimes these types of effects get in the way of hip-hop songs, but they only help here. Developing a layered effect that really constructs the world that Khalifa wants to create. He was also careful to not let the drums and bass interfere with the mood he was making.

The music has stayed in my mind. When I was not listening to the album, I found these phrases playing in my head, feeling the songs even when I wasn’t listening to the songs, the music flows in and out of my mind and it really stuck with me.

The music here provides, for me, an escape. I know when I’m listening to his music, I’m not going to be stressed out or tense. Those keyboard parts really make me feel like nothing can harm me. I can just put on this album, close my eyes and groove to the music.

Although I feel that the music is strong, there are moments that are stronger then others. Tracks such as “When I’m Gone” and “Black and Yellow” subjects are average Hip-Hop fare. Something that is less interesting. The truly great moments come from when Khalifa goes a little further then the average raps about diamonds and women. These weaker moments are still great because of the music, yet I wish the whole album were as excellent as the standout tracks on the album.

The tracks that go a bit deeper also are the tracks where the music seems to be the most intense and well-written. When Khalifa is speaking about more then fantasy you can tell his heart is in it and he really excels.

On “Roll Up,” Khalifa talks of a relationship, it’s one of the simplest songs on the album, yet one of its most effective. The song just sounds like joy, and you can feel the love he had for the relationship.

On “Fly Solo,” he talks of spreading your wings after a failed relationship, of being out on your own. It captures the bittersweet feeling of being alone and free.

On “Star of the Show” and “Cameras,” he talks of having a dreams and achieving them.

It’s tracks such as these that are the best on the album. You can tell he has a passion for what he is saying and he made sure every detail of these songs created the emotions that he went through.

4/5