This past Friday, Oct. 25, Megan Thee Stallion released the second installment of her self-titled album, “Megan II.” The release completes both acts in a two-disc package: both discs being fully contained albums on their own. Disc one is chock-full of entirely new music, while disc two contains the entirety of the original “Megan” release from this summer. Since most have had time to soak up the initial release and form their own opinion, I’ll be focusing on this past week’s new releases of disc one.
The opening track is a highlight of the album. “Bigger In Texas” brings the cruising-in-your-neighborhood energy, complemented by the music video for the song. Megan shows off the best of the Lone Star State, dripped out in the highest fashion. Megan has always been that Texan™, and she’s here to let us know the best way she knows how: laidback, throwin’ cheek with grace, and spitting bars.
“Bourbon,” on the other hand, you can skip if you’re not a diehard Hottie. There is no malice in this, as the track is cleanly executed and Megan’s delivery is wonderful. Personally, I find that this roast track sounds too similar to “Bigger In Texas” to follow immediately after. The third track, “Number One Rule,” is going to be your next hype track for pregaming with your girls. While not a total standout track in Megan’s repertoire, this song definitely delivers on the energy and overall execution that she is showing on this album.
Back-to-back bangers, “Roc Steady (feat. Flo Milli)” and “Best Friend,” follow immediately after. To start, I adore Flo Milli, and I love her chemistry with Megan on this track. They complement each other in such a playful way that really comes out on this collab. “Best Friend” had me blushing and kicking my feet at the first listen. This smooth and sensual song is perfect for lez-ing out at the bar with your bestie (because you’re not going home with any man).
Following up is “Right Now,” a Tina Snow throwback track. Megan gives off lady-pimp energy in her lyricism, emphasizing her previous assertions that if the boys can play, so can she.
“Mamushi (Remix) [feat. TWICE]” is a great track, but just a new feature on a track from the first installment. I am personally a little disappointed with the “remix” part of it, as Mamushi was originally quite a musically simple song. I still love the song in general, and this doesn’t change my initial opinion of it, this just isn’t my favorite rerelease.
On the other hand, I am gushing over Megan’s second collaboration with Spiritbox. As an alternative Hottie, “TYG (feat. Spiritbox)” is the equivalent of a crossover episode of your two favorite Disney Channel shows. It’s a true win for the people, not to mention that Megan Thee Stallion really gives into what we craved after their last collaboration, “Cobra.” Megan, I love you. These vocals are so good. I need more.
“Motion” had a tough act to follow after Courtney and Meg tore it up. I have no qualms with it; like “Bourbon,” it’s a great dissing-your-haters track, but it again doesn’t really flex Megan’s abilities. However, it does stand to cement the evidence that proves she’s a serious rapper. Perhaps the ebb and flow of “Motion” following “TYG” is so that “Fell in Love” could shine. This chill, R&B-inspired track shows a rare side of Megan Thee Stallion we don’t see too much of: the jealous, in love, protective side. On this track, Megan is down bad.
To follow that with “He Think I Love Him” is such a brilliant choice in terms of track placement. It’s like a playful little wink. However, I do consider this track skippable. It’s pretty much “Cobra” without Spiritbox: a few produced guitar chords that set the tone for Megan’s rapping. This track is just less depressing-horny, and more bad bitch-horny.
“Like a Freak” has a club-worthy sample of the 2010s classic “Like a G6.” Megan whips out her freestyling abilities on this fun and nostalgic track. Finally, “Neva Play (feat. RM of BTS)” wraps up disc one. This track was released as a single before the whole album was released and was met with success on social media — as would be expected for a BTS feature with a Grammy-winning rapper dipping her toes in the K-Pop and J-Pop spaces.
The “Megan II” album is truly an enjoyable listening experience. I would recommend it to anyone getting ready for a night out with their girlfriends, or for the gym on glutes days. Megan Thee Stallion not only solidifies herself in the brand she has created over the years: an independent woman getting her money and shameless about her sexuality. She also reaches into her niches: featuring artists from the rock and metal scene as well as K-Pop and J-Pop artists. Adding onto the initial “Megan” album, this two-act album release acts as an impressively bulky amount of professionally executed music for Megan Thee Stallion to add to her resumé, and leaves this self-proclaimed Hottie eager for more.
