Action Bronson ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Review: Action Bronson’s Debut Album Lives Up To Its Name

After pumping out solid mix tape after mix tape, Action Bronson finally put out his highly anticipated debut album, Mr. Wonderful, and it’s exactly what you would expect from the NY-born rapper.

Anybody who has a heard more than one Action Bronson song instantly realizes recurring themes in his songs: food based lines, a zany flow and obscure references that are easy to enjoy but not always caught. On Mr. Wonderful, all those things are present, plus a lot of experimentation for Bronson. For starters, Bronson dug deep into the sample jar, and in a rare move for Bronson, enlisted the help of more than two producers on a project. Bronson’s lyrical style is not much different from what he would normally put out, but the album proves Bronson’s style is multifaceted, and it shows on the singles better than anywhere else.

“Terry,” the most soul inspired track, sheds a lot of comedic rap bars for a more serious undertone. Produced by frequent collaborator Alchemist, the song brings up his wild lifestyle, and the ladies unable to keep up with it, unfortunately leaving “Bronsolino” a lonely man with his drugs. After a Bill Withers sampled outro, the song transitions right into “Actin Crazy.”

“Actin Crazy” is the most “Bronson-like” song on the album. Produced by Noah “40” Shebib, Bronson clearly has the most fun on this song and music video. Consistent with all the Bronson recurring themes, Bronson raps about whatever comes to his mind on this song, and almost always somehow manages to flow nicely.

“Easy Rider,” the first single released, has a very late 60’s/early 70’s feel to it, which was completely intentional as shown in the music video, which references the Peter Fonda movie of the same name. Rolling with the twang of the sample, Bronson concludes his album well by “riding his Harley into the sunset.”

The last single is “Baby Blue” featuring Chance the Rapper. Similar to “NaNa,” which appeared on Chance’s mixtape Acid Rap, the two former XXL Freshmen come up with zany verses that compliment each other very well. Kudos to Chance’s especially comedic “hater rap” to an ex, which features lines such as “I hope you win the lottery and lose your ticket,” and the especially cold, “I hope your dreams dry like a raisin in a baking sun.” Overall it’s a fun song with an ironically cruel undertone.

The other songs of the “THUG LOVE STORY MUSICAL 2017” also tell the story of heartbreak well. A spiritual successor to “Thug Love Story 2012” from his mixtape Blue Chips, “TLSM 2017,” “City Boy Blues,” “A Light in the Addict” and “Baby Blue” combine to make a short story about a gold digger who eventually leaves Bronson after she gets the money she inquires from him.

Mr. Wonderful is a great debut album. In the music world, many artists are afraid to experiment or change up for fear of losing their fan base. Bronson shows no fear of that notion and it works for him, as he shows what he is capable of when he diversifies his producers and samples.