That's a soft "s" in the title of
Mike Stud's sophomore effort, as the former college baseball player is referencing getting nearer to something, and not the kind of pitcher who joins in the game in the ninth inning. What he's getting closer to is sounding like a bona fide mainstream hip-hop star, as the quirky, amateurish bits of his debut are now replaced with polished ideas and songs, including the big and ambitious,
Drake-like title cut. "Out Here" is excellent
Chris Brown-styled club R&B, while the good-timing "Super Faded" is a cheeky list of booze and illegal "party favors" that would certainly show up on the MLB's blood tests. "Boys of the Summer" is a reference to America's favorite pastime that turns into a pop-rap anthem, plus a heartwarming analogy of how
Stud's sidelining Tommy John surgery turned him on to a second, successful life. ~ David Jeffries