808s and Heartbreak is not what anyone asked for. Nobody knew this was gonna happen, or really wanted this to happen. But Kanye wanted it to happen, so it happened. As per the norm for one of West's albums, it topped the Billboard charts and garnered positive reviews, if not up to his previous standard. Nobody knew what to make of this at the time, though in retrospect many seem to have grown fond of it.
Lyrically, 808s isn't as even in quality as most of Kanye's other works are. There are a number of awkward statements, and outright lyrical missteps, most notably "RoboCop", which even West himself looks back on as "a trainwreck" [sic]. At the same time, most of the album is bound in thematic resonance. Kanye's breakdown, caused by the death of his mother, has caused him to look on his life with a lens of self-loathing. On "Welcome to Heartbreak", he says that his material objects are empty in comparison to his friend's family. Lyrics like that are interesting, and show possible alternate interpretations of the album. Perhaps he's lashing out at this ex-lover as a front to hide his self-loathing. The thematics of the album are as compelling as they are uncomfortable.
Tonally, 808s starts out slow and moody, almost like a window to Kanye's soul. What we find there is pain, pain, and more pain, and this broken state is equal parts uncomfortable to witness and fascinating. That said, the album later takes a turn for the upbeat, despite Kanye continuing to brood over his much more cheerful beats. It's a pitiful dirge, and one that is occasionally off-putting. This isn't an album made for the fans, this is an album he made for himself. That Kanye still promoted this heavily shows a desire first and foremost for money, of course, but also for people to hear what he created. In that case, 808s can be viewed as Kanye finally releasing his emotions to the world. Indeed, the circumstances of the album are possibly more compelling than the album itself.
Finally, West continues to show his masterful production capabilities, crafting slow, moody beats which entrance and captivate. Again, "Paranoid", "RoboCop", and "Street Lights" are upbeat in a way uncharacteristic for the album, but do manage to still contain quality melodies. On that topic, the melodies are darkly catchy. Even if the mopiness and repetition can get dull to some, the melodies are memorable, and for the most part enjoyable. West's melodic structures would influence many later artists, notably including
the ever-popular Drake. Indeed, 808s has a highly recognizable sound that has come to lend it some credence since its release.
I'm not sure I'd call 808s a masterpiece. It's so self-absorbed and moody that some listeners will doubtless find it not entirely enjoyable. However, it remains a fascinating experiment, and one that would only grow better as time went on and Kanye emerged from his emotional wreckage stronger than ever. Next up, we'll be looking at My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
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