Album Review: Kanye West 'Ye'

If by "shaky" he means "embarrassing, perhaps even career-ending", then yeah, West's definitely had a wobbly one alright. Album number eight sees the world's most talked-about rapper getting back to what he does best, though, and that's make thrilling and challenging music.

This sometimes majestic, sometimes baffling seven-track opus runs the emotional gamut, from unflinching stream-of-consciousness of opener I Thought About Killing You, to apologetic finisher Violent Crimes.

The 23-minute effort isn't quite the trailblazing release some members of the cult of Kanye would have you believe (metal bands like Ghost and Down have adopted the same 'less is more' approach in recent times), but the short and sharp approach suits him. Though ye won't silence West's critics, it will give his fans plenty to talk about in the months ahead.

The boisterous "Yikes" which finds the rapper opening up about his mental health ("That's my bipolar shit... That's my super power") is a powerful jab, while the John Legend-featuring Ghost Town proves West hasn't lost his ear for a good pop tune.

For all of ye's bravery when it comes to discussing depression, suicide and more, Kanye's detours into macho bullshit remain unforgivably disappointing. We're not sure who the forty-something father thinks he's impressing with observations like "I love your titties, cos they prove I can focus on two things at once" on the brainless 'All Mine' - but it's not this writer.

Rating: 7/10