LIL TJAY ‘222’ PLAYS IT SAFE & SOMBER

The random accidents and everyday details that occur before the disaster have a certain kind of mundanity that goes along with stories of pain. On “June 22,” a start to finish account of the day Lil Tjay was shot seven times, such specifics are revealed. Before veering off into creeping worry that turns out to be horrifyingly warranted, he lays out a story of lean-induced studio sleep sessions and an upcoming trip to Paris while coasting over contemplative piano.

The phony back-and-forth between Tjay and his pals over whether an adversary is on his trail causes paralyzing tension: I looked, saw the car, and immediately went back to sleep. Then, I heard, “That’s that car again,” what?/Never, now it’s beef. I take my Glock and declare, “Now I’m finna flip ’em on this street.” Then, the brother says, “Nah, Tjay, you wildin’.” All I do is suck my teeth.

“June 22nd” is the most impactful track on 222, Tjay’s debut album after the shooting a little over a year ago. It combines real-time urgency, light comedy, and a dense slab of complex navigation logistics. Even if 222 is constrained by conservative production and a general lack of creativity from the person who published it, Tjay is still able to write moving warrior theme songs, even though few tracks on the album are quite as captivating.

Tjay’s talents are still his lithe, expressive tone, which he uses to create sorrowful street ballads, soft R&B songs (such as “Stressed” with Summer Walker), or drill anthems that soar with melody and danger (such as “Bla Bla” with Fivio Foreign). He also tells stories well, and when he wants to, he can pass for both charming and bloodthirsty. Usually, it all comes together to form something worthwhile of repetition.

On “Nobody,” Tjay delves into a Bobby Glenn sample made famous by JAY-Z and bemoans unfaithful friends and a way of life that necessitates a Glock. The song’s words, delivered in his sobbing tenor, flow out like a teardrop: “One of them n-ggas, yeah, that’s the reason why they hate me/That’s one of the reasons why I can’t walk with it on safety.” On “Heart Felt Soul,” he still exudes the same vulnerability, but there’s a bounce this time that helps it escape getting boring—something Tjay doesn’t accomplish very frequently on this album, much to the chagrin of the listener.

While songs like “Bla Bla” and “Project Walls” by YoungBoy Never Broke Again inject the album with upbeat flows and can hold their own on their own, the rhythms itself come out as dull variations of one another. In contrast, “Scared 2 Be Lonely” functions as a less sentimental rendition of Toosii’s “Favorite Song.” The aforementioned “Stressed” and the “2 Grown” featuring The Kid Laroi come out as just decent slow jams; its monochrome production and vocal execution don’t make a big impact.

The majority of Tjay’s hooks lack flavor, sound unclear, lack the symbolism, swerving melodies, or phonetic fun to make them memorable despite his silky voice and considerable proficiency in rapping. You won’t find “Calling My Phone” or “Zoo York” here, and there isn’t much of the creativity you might anticipate from someone with his evident skill. The few bursts of piercing lyrics and melodies, though, may draw you into Tjay’s universe. What he could achieve with a longer casting rod, though, is left to be imagined.