The latest project to surface out of Chicago’s seemingly bottomless pool of talent is Saba‘s ComfortZone, a cohesive, 14-track collection that dropped earlier this week. The rising spitter hinted at what was to come with his sophomore effort through an impressive rollout dating back to last year’s standout guest verse on Acid Rap and including—more recently—the project’s singles, “401K,” “Burnout,” and “Butter.” In spite of the high bar set for himself, Saba rose up and delivered.
ComfortZone is mellow and engaging through and through. Warm chords and soft, catchy hooks guide listeners through the largely self-produced journey, and its homegrown nature—note features from fellow Chicagoans Legit, Jamila of M&O, Eryn Allen Kane, and Tree—is perhaps its most alluring quality. Saba’s PIVOT crew has been the fuel behind his fire for as long as we’ve had our eyes on him, and from the recording to the visuals to the actual tape release, they once again prove capable of executing on a high level.
The project’s summertime arrival feels just right, and Saba’s undeniable growth as an emcee makes for an equally enjoyable and rewarding listening experience. Standout tracks (aside from the lead singles) include “Welcome Home”—where we get to know a slightly more pensive Saba who cautiously contemplates “the fam you actually had before rap”—and the Eryn Allen Kane and Tree-assisted “For Y’all,” which has to be one of the best feel-good joints of the summer.
Stream the project in full below, and download via Audiomack here.
