As the first single since Alive Since Forever’s Mic Kurb’s Destination Nowhere EP, “Always On Time” sees the 18-year-old rapper progressing nicely, crafting something enjoyably accessible and upbeat alongside crew-member Kevin Abstract. Perhaps its greatest success is in its continuation of the oddball pop sensibility at the core of Abstract’s excellent recent album MTV 1987 (specifically its Cassie-interpolating single “Drugs”). Kurb repurposes Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time” as something that feels simultaneously lighthearted and earnest, nostalgic for those who recall the original while managing to seem like original property in Kurb’s hands. Though still a bit rough around the edges, it’s the sort of song you might hope for from a talented rapper aiming for wider appeal, a heartfelt, clever crop with familiar roots.
Listen to “Always On Time” below.
