Delivered after
the Internet's Grammy-nominated third full-length,
Ego Death, and appearances on
Kaytranada's
99.9% and
Common's
Black America Again,
Fin is viewed by
Syd Bennett as transitional. Unless she and her
Internet mates are sitting on a masterpiece double-LP that somehow puts all that valued past work to shame, there's no need to downplay this, compact, understated, and dimly lit as it is. Aspects of
Fin do deviate significantly from the
Internet albums.
Bennett's higher percentage of boastful rhymes and a greater number of outside collaborators -- including Hit-Boy, HazeBanga, and
Melo-X on one track each -- among them. The stylistic switch-ups are clever and effective without coming across as forcefully out of character. In particular, "Know," "Nothin to Somethin," and "Dollar Bills" twitch and/or bump like prime
Aaliyah and
Timbaland, with
Bennett's offhandedly impish way of outlining discreet hook-ups and balling scenarios all her own. As ever,
Bennett is a master of plainly stated but profound intimate remarks, like when she tucks "We get better every time/Learnin' how to read your mind" into "Smile More." [
Fin was also released on LP.] ~ Andy Kellman