Album Review: Tobi Lou Explores Metamorphosis In 'LINGO STARR'
In only six minutes and 15 seconds, Tobi Lou’s stream of consciousness discusses everything from immigration to Pokemon, contrasting his colorful demeanor with serious themes.
Written by Srija Reddy
Photo courtesy of Hypebeast
“Be careful what you wish for, Tobi,” a voice whispers as Tobi Lou delves into the first verse of his newest EP LINGO STARR. Originally set to debut in early June, LINGO STARR was released last Friday to celebrate “Buff Baby,” Tobi’s highest streamed song and first gold record. Along with “Buff Baby,” Tobi Lou’s most recent album, Live on Ice, is symbolic of him breaking free of the chains that bind the creative freedoms of a struggling artist. Speaking in an interview about past release Live On Ice, Tobi Lou describes himself as “literally melting the ice cube that is [his] life.” LINGO STARR brings back those fears of sacrificing voice in order to sell. And as is sung in the intro of “Lingo Starr: RETURN OF THE DRAGON,” “Be careful what you wish for” is Tobi’s warning to himself of the costs that come with fame.
Image courtesy of Artclub/Empire
Initially debuting as his hype man in 2018’s “Darlin,’ the mysterious voice who introduces Tobi Lou now questions him in the first seconds of “Lingo Starr: RETURN OF THE DRAGON.” The unknown voice’s warning offers many interpretations, leaving listeners to question whether Tobi himself is wondering if the experimental LINGO STARR is worthy of attention before anyone has the chance to form that opinion. Simple beats and rich bass collide over Tobi Lou’s lyrics to create an infectious energy that elicits a physical response from any listener. Tobi’s clean vocals blur under distorting reverb as he says, “seen a butterfly turn into a dragon,” shifting the track’s tone from passive to direct in the first climactic moment of the EP. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, Tobi Lou calls out the “symbolic activists” who claim to support him but remain on the sidelines. While he wishes that he was ”Runnin’ the country ahead of the polls,” as a Black man in America his reality is more like: “chains on my neck like I pity the fool.”
“Lingo Starr: STRIKES BACK” transitions from melancholy to dreamlike, made evident with the self-aware “It really do be hittin' though.” He’s no longer questioning himself, proclaiming LINGO STARR as, “that new new sh-t.” In the second track, Tobi asserts his unique artistic identity and calls on his fans to share in his experience. When asked about his musical style in an interview with Complex, Tobi Lou cited Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” as inspiration for finding joy in expressing his sadness as fun and upbeat. He has always been interested in the dichotomy of both emotions, and calls on this exploration in track two when he says, “brighten up the contrast let me see the blacks”. For Tobi, the ‘blacks’ involve the pressure of remaining relevant without having to compromise his vision.
Photo courtesy of Genius
Tobi Lou ends on an assertive note in “Lingo Starr: Drunken Master.” Aggressive beats amplify Tobi’s motivation to reach his goals, but in his own way. n lyrics such as,”I cause chaos and disorder,” Tobi establishes his method to success as one without shortcuts. And even though there is much more he wants to accomplish, his pride in his journey shows in lines like, “Who is you hearin'? Me, mhm / Who don't give a f-ck? Me, ooh / Who do I love? Me, b-tch,” concludes the EP and marks Tobi’s metamorphosis from a delicate butterfly to a musical force to be reckoned with.
Scattered throughout the tracks’ serious tones are nonsensical lyrics like,”Killer can't, pink flamingo’, ‘Same beast, different animal like a Pokemon,” and “I look so pretty in pink.” His lyrics’ flow follow a stream of consciousness, random and uncontrollable. And although relatable, these thought-like verses still belong to only one person, subtly referenced through the use of the same guitar loop in all three songs. In short, LINGO STARR humanizes Tobi Lou. Amidst his worries about his career and the state of our country, he wears butterfly wings, hails his little sisters as iconic, and decorates his face with gold stars. Through LINGO STARR and his signature style, Tobi Lou restores his boyish energy that some may have lost in quarantine, encouraging us to use our loneliness as a chance to reflect.