Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, released his album today. The 48-year-old artist dropped ‘BULLY’ after it was initially scheduled for March 27th. Across the 18-song project, Ye sounds recognisable again, reminding listeners exactly why he should never be written off.
‘BULLY’ arrives after a promising rollout. Ye promoted the album with billboards across the globe, while listening parties were organised worldwide to give fans an early glimpse of what the project had to offer. Mexican wrestling, Lucha Libre, played a central role in the album’s visuals, adding a distinct and cohesive aesthetic to the release.
After a turbulent period in his career, marked by controversy, Ye seems eager to reassert himself. And he does. ‘BULLY’ doesn’t disappoint. The album captures the artist at his best again, with a sound that echoes elements of his older, iconic work without feeling stuck in the past.
The opening stretch of the album is arguably its most exciting. On the third track, ‘FATHER’, featuring Travis Scott, Ye reunites with the Houston artist to strong effect. The track blends soulful, gospel-inspired elements with an aggressive, hard-hitting beat, drawing clear parallels to eras like Yeezus while still sounding fresh.
After being blown away by ‘FATHER’, Ye doesn’t hold back. ‘ALL THE LOVE’ follows as the fourth song on the project, and feels even more electrifying. Alongside by Andre Troutman, Ye leans into melody, supported by heavy, upbeat drums that give the track a powerful, driving energy.
Further into ‘BULLY, Ye leans more into a softer, but just as confident sound. Tracks like ‘HIGH AND LOW’ trade bombast for a more elevated, sample-driven sound, offering a different kind of impact. The same goes for ‘PREACHER MAN’, which received new vocals for the album, after the single being on streaming for quite some time.
Towards the closing stretch, Ye continues to explore new territory. On ‘LAST BREATH’, he even delivers vocals in Spanish, joined by Mexican artist Peso Pluma. The final track, ‘THIS ONE HERE’, brings things full circle, echoing the raw emotion and heavy synth work reminiscent of the Donda era, closing the album with a powerful outro.
‘BULLY’ proves that Ye remains one of the most compelling artists in the scene. After years of controversy and criticism, he delivers a project that reaffirms his place. He sounds locked in, focused, and, above all, undeniable once again.
