Snoop Dogg has been making albums for the past two decades and is a well-known household name. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t know who he is, and hasn’t heard “Gin & Juice” at least once. Bush, which is the thirteenth project from the West Coast rapper pairs him with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo once again, among 10 tracks that encompass a nod to the sonicism of yesteryear. This is not a bad thing, as it allows Snoop’s laidback style to sink into the ambiance.
Opening Bush is “California Roll,” which includes Stevie Wonder’s harmonica, which makes the track extremely pleasing to listen to amidst the smooth landscape. It is a convincing cut that embraces a similar style as “Sexual Eruption” from Ego Trippin’ with its sing-a-long qualities. On “R U A Freak,” the song features the trademark Pharrell and Hugo sound and takes its cue from the retro style of Chic, Con Funk Shun, and the like. “So Many Pros,” functions as a complement to “R U A Freak,” with its infectious cohesiveness. There is hearkening to 2004’s hit “Let’s Get Blown” upon listening to this.
“Peaches N Cream” dances through the speakers as perhaps the standout from Bush. On this, the lead single, Snoop seems in his comfort zone as he serves up a dose of rhymes that perfectly intertwine with the melody that resembles a splashed-together vibe of George Clinton and Nelly. Charlie Wilson features on the track. The latter tracks of Bush each cement the album as a kamikaze cocktail of tuneful modules, synth riffs, and pulsating keyboards.
Bush is an appealing album from Snoop, but at midpoint throughout, particularly after listening to the lead single – there is a feeling that the songs begin to blur together. This is not necessarily a negative thing – just that it makes for an album full of easy-listening R&B as opposed to Hip-Hop. Perhaps, that’s what Snoop was going for and if he wasn’t, the funky undercurrent presented here should fare well on urban contemporary radio and for those who simply like whatever he makes; but other than that, these 10 cuts probably won’t go any further than that.