Gunna- One of Wun
Life size picture of Gunna Wunna’s head
Another season, another Gunna album. It reminds me of the famous lines from Full Metal Jacket- “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.” There are many Gunna albums like this one. But this one is the current rendition. And if you’re a Gunna fan, it definitely delivers.
Gunna is in many ways, a playlist artist. His appeal is his smooth, seamless flow and his calm, typically simpler beats. It’s basically yacht-trap. On a boat? Throw it on. Which also works with Gunna’s whole “the studio is underwater” approach to production. This guy likes very specific types of beats. Loud kick, the loop is reverbed to the back wall and also every other instrument is a piano or guitar. It’s a simple trick, but it works. The problem is, it may not be enough to carry 20 tracks. Even Gunna’s flow isn’t really enough to do that.
So let’s get down to brass tacks: this is a record by an artist whose sound is basically what it is at this point. Gunna’s not coming back with Sargeant Pepper or Illmatic. This is Gunna. 20 songs, some with very cool hooks, others with very similar cool hooks. There’s not a lot of diversity here. Which can work. Freddie by Freddie Gibbs feels like the same beat pack throughout (I think it is) and it’s one of my favorite trap albums ever. But this is just too much of a slight thing. As of right now, Gunna makes playlists. Vibe music. Turn it on and watch TV. Turn it on and walk your dog. I turned it on and played Subnautica. But that’s okay. The truth is, Gunna isn’t about to reinvent the wheel and I don’t think he’s carrying more than 10 tracks with his current production situation.
See, Gunna is basically blacklisted because he may have snitched on Young Thug. I don’t know. It’s what I heard. So when you look at the features list…it’s a little light for a 20 tracker. Offset, Normani, Leon Bridges and Roddy Ricch. Normani and Leon Bridges are great. Offset is Offset. Roddy Ricch is Roddy Ricch. This record is 20 songs.
My favorite tracks were: “hakuna matada”,”one of wun”, “blackjack”, and “neck on a yacht.” These were some classic Gunna tracks. Smooth flows over smooth beats. True chiller music. You gotta love it. These also have some of the best beats on the record overall. I mean, that’s not an atmospheric bar, but it’s noteworthy in a review of this record.
Performance wise, I think this Gunna’s best record yet. He’s spitting. Sometimes often about very material things, but the delivery is so good and the breath control is great. You can tell that he’s improved a lot technically and he’s better than he’s ever been. He’s mastered his style, maybe too well. His songwriting is so effortless sometimes it feels like he should try a little harder. It’s not bad music per se. It’s just a lot of Gunna. And Gunna has a very specific Gunna-Wunna sound.
“Money makes you real” Gunna proclaims at one point on this record. It’s a simple statement, but a powerful one that basically sums up what this record is about. Gunna lives a simple life of luxury and sings simple, yet often menacing lullabies about it. There’s no deeper meaning to it. Like many of the beats or bars on this record, this life Gunna lives is shallow. Women without names, chains only meaningful for what composes them. It’s not uncommon in rap, but with Gunna, the surface level perspective just whacks you right in the face. Not a critique, but a reality.
Gunna’s One of Wun is a Gunna album. You would like it if you like Gunna and if you are just okay with him, you would still find some songs here worthy of throwing on a summer playlist. I mean this isn’t one you load up in the Walkman and go for a hike with, but it’s got some bops in the signature Gunna style.
