MEGAN: ACT II

Near the end of “Bigger in Texas,” the opening track from Megan Thee's lavish new album Stallion MEGAN: ACT IIthe houston superstar lets everyone know where they can submit their opinions. “You're always begging me to fight these losers, shut up, enjoy this music/You'll know I'm on my way and not for no fun,” she raps, a no-nonsense. message that he has escaped the noise and distractions. Much of Meghan's rise to the upper echelon of celebrity has been steeped in The Shade Room nonsense, social media criticism mixed with harassment, and an array of voices trying to tell her which way is north. On ACT IIreturned to the fun.

Since her profile rose with her 2018 mixtape Tina SnowMegan's balancing act has manifested itself in a series of full-length releases that tried to please everyone and weren't always perfect. Compared to the piecemeal accumulation of styles and lyrical themes on its predecessor, this July's MEGAN, ACT II is more accurate. Megan captures the magnetic optimism and charisma that first endeared her to fans in recorded freestyles on radio station microphones and video clips filmed in suburban Texas. The album feels spiritually aligned with her Tina Snow and Something about Thee Hotties tapes: a creative renewal characterized by funny, well-varnished raps that arrive with a refreshing lightness and freedom.

That's not to say Megan doesn't have a smoke for others ACT II— her brand of vendetta has produced some of the best moments since MEGANsuch as “Hiss” and “Rattle” with poison spikes. But here the jokes arrive with an air of superiority, not as necessary counterpunches. “Bitch need a pen pal, can't spit a bar/Spit your hard when you tryin' to drop a nigga,” he raps in the middle of a lengthy verse on “Bourbon,” sounding completely silent over the sinister, stripped-down beat from the frequent partners of Bankroll Got It and Shawn “Source” Jarrett. Sure, there are some cheesy lines (I'm looking at you, “noodle” lyrics on “Right Now”), but Megan is on top form in loose, free-flowing stretches where she sounds like she's cutting up with some friends. Jordin Sparks and Warren G's breath-taking references to herself on “Number One Rule” hits all the notes: confidence, sexiness and security.