Action Bronson has returned with his new album Johann Sebastian Bachlava the Doctor, his first independent project in over a decade.
Released on Thursday (July 11) to coincide with his mother’s 80th birthday, the 11-track album boasts guest appearances from frequent collaborators Larry June, The Alchemist and Meyhem Lauren, as well as guitarist Julian Love and saxophonist Yung Mehico.
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Behind the boards, production comes from a close-knit team comprised of The Alchemist, Daringer and Bronson himself.
Prior to its release, the Queens, New York rapper dropped a two-part video series for the singles “Nourish a Thug” and “Sega” that follow his fictional character, Dr. Baklava, on the run from the law.
Stream the album below.
Bronson shared the release date for Johann Sebastian Bachlava the Doctor last week, writing on Instagram: “ON THE DAY OF JULY 11th THE 2024th YEAR OF THE LORD I WILL BE UNLEASHING MY NEWEST MUSICAL OFFERING *JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR* ON THIS DAY ITS ALSO THE 80th YEAR OF ME BEING MOTHERED BY AN AMAZING WOMAN.
“TO COMMEMORATE LIFE AND ENJOYMENT I CAN OFFER YOU THIS ART… THANK YOU TO ALL THE HEADS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FROM DAY ONE AND THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THIS COALITION. BACHLAVA RECORDS. AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE SOON.”
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The chef turned rapper began teasing the album last year when he shared a video of him jamming on a keyboard alongside a saxophone player and a drummer.
Laying out his lofty ambitions for the project, Bronson captioned the post: “BIG BAKURABA IS COMING TO TOWN. GRAMMY TIME. JOHAN SEBASTIAN BAKLAVA THE DOCTOR.”
Johann Sebastian Bachlava the Doctor serves as the follow-up to Cocodrillo Turbo, which arrived in April 2022 via Loma Vista/Concord.
Featuring collaborations with Conway The Machine, Roc Marciano, The Alchemist and others, the album was met with largely positive reviews.
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In a 3.9 out of 5 review from HipHopDX, writer Ben Brutocao praised it as a “fascinating” and “deeply theatrical” album wherein Bronson “serves as both the adventurer cutting through the vines and titular crocodile.”
It also won over The Roots drummer and Hip Hop historian Questlove, who wrote on social media: “Wow. Was NOT expecting to be THIS mind blown over this new Bronson jawn. This [Crocodile emoji] jawn might be his most solid offering as an LP.”
