Album - "Joey Tre' “What The Heart Needs”
“What The Heart Needs.” is certainly far from Joey Tre's peak as an emcee, but it is the perfect step to show the artist's growth. This album shows the progression of Tré's penmanship, where in the past, there would reside shoehorned bars and forced metaphors now occupies tempered breaths and well-thought out-lines that one can only describe as story-building. What concludes throughout this album is an eight-song love letter that delivers on and even exceeds the promise of providing quality music touching on a multitude of subjects, but highlighted by love.
Tre', for the past few albums, has undergone a dramatic arc as an emcee. Where early versions of Tre’ would feel forced at times, often coming across as if he’s cosplaying an emcee, the artist we have before us today is anything but forced. Throughout “What The Heart Needs.” his best asset is that he sounds sure of himself, sounding natural in every setting; along with his command of rhythm and cadence, this is his greatest gift.
One of the album’s highlights is its beat selection, one of the key improvements of Tre's game. Where early in his career, one would describe his beat selection, sketchy at best, Tre's turned into a stellar ear for picking beats that set tones long-before he even speaks. This improvement in track selection grants the necessary residual impact as well, with the majority of the album occupying a similar path in tone, creating an appropriate thematic feel for listeners to understand the complete package that is “What The Heart Needs.”
Speaking of the theme of the album, “What the Heart Needs.” In a kind of elongated exhale, focus on Tre’ getting plenty off his chest, addressing topics such as being in love, police brutality, future successes, and even the coronavirus while delivering the messages in what’s become his trademark blend of rapping and singing. His approach to song-crafting throughout this album remains one that’s straight forward and persistent in its quest to lack as much subtlety as possible, such as the appropriately titled, “Cops N’ Corona.” which sets the tone before the song starts.
Tre’ is a bar-heavy specialist; in the past, he’s never been one to shy away from lyrically masturbating on a track just for the hell of it. However, throughout this album, he elects to go against this tried and true formula, opting to showcase a matured style. Tre's new style is one that bypasses his formulaic approach of sending a barrage of bars until the hook comes. Tre’ adds more layers towards his expansive repertoire, with the aforementioned singing, and a level of songwriting that has only been shown in glimpses during his past efforts, creating his most captivating project to date.
What concludes is a project with high replay value and filled with captivating substance. “What The Heart Needs” is a highly recommendable album.
