Tommy Fleece delivers an aggressive slice of trap-rap with his new album "Hypermasculine." The Philadelphia upstart burst onto the scene last year with a string of viral hits flaunting his outlaw persona over thumping 808s. On "Hypermasculine," Fleece leans fully into that outlaw image with an unapologetically masculine brand of hip-hop.
From the opening track "Trapper of the Year," Fleece announces his arrival with a combative flow discussing street-level drug dealing. Tracks like "Goons" and "Moonwalk" continue in a similar vein, pairing boastful and often graphic lyrics with booming trap production. Fleece shows distinct flair for catchy hooks however vulgar, like on "Mask On F**k It Off" featuring a lascivious chorus.
Lyrically, Fleece boasts extensively about guns, drugs, money and women. There is little nuance here - he is solely focused on projecting a tough guy image through crass braggadocio. Production wise, Fleece and his team of producers like DreGotIt provide hard-hitting beats that emphasize pits of low-end rumble ideal for backdrop for aggressive rhymes.
While some may find Fleece's exaggerated machismo tiresome, he undeniably delivers an adrenaline rush of visceral street rap. Fans of mainstream trap artists like Moneybagg Yo or Fetty Wap will find much to enjoy here in Fleece's flagrant displays of toxicity. However, his one-dimensional views on masculinity and lack of lyrical substance grow stale by the album's end. "Hypermasculine" is an effective mosaic of trap bravado, just don't expect much depth. Hardcore Fleece fans will find much to nod their heads to, but his formula shows signs of wearing thin.