Larry June & Alchemist 'The Great Escape' Flaunts A Familiar Blueprint That Works

Larry June’s music paints the picture of a man whose lavish lifestyle and composed attitude take priority over meaningless feuds and stresses. Despite June’s relaxed headspace, his albums portray a recurring villain, though he rarely addresses it by name. The San Francisco rapper despises complacency. For years, he’s cultivated a luxurious life for himself off the strength of both his consistent output and his poignant business acumen. June could easily fall into a state of artistic contentment with the large sums of green he’s pulled in throughout the years, but his hustler mentality never relents. His music actively campaigns for his fans to get richer however they can. Whether that be through smart investments or starting a business, Larry June simply wants you to grow.

Rapping about growth and riches isn’t exclusive to The Great Escape, the first full-length collaboration between June and The Alchemist. The former had always advocated for self-improvement through hard work and intelligent asset management, but his producers of the past relied on typical west coast tropes. June’s beat selection never held him back, but it never quite amplified his nonchalant voice the way Alc’s beats do on their collaborative album. Often slow but never dull, the legendary producer’s instrumentals draw themselves out across the album’s 15 tracks, leaving June and his guests with a wide-open stage to express their ambitions, failures, and lessons.

Though consistently riddled with life lessons, June’s raps rarely feel like a classroom lecture. When he spits about all the luxuries he’s purchased over the years, they’re not a flex. Instead, they offer glimpses into the life of a man who developed countless ways to turn his uncompromised art into riches. June shows as much just two minutes into “Turkish Cotton,” the album’s opening track. “I done made millions with Sean C / I done cashed out for the ‘Rari n****a no lease / Not flexing, just showing n***as that you can eat,” June raps hoping he can inspire others to join him in his ascent.

June’s business-forward mentality bleeds onto the album’s guests, all of whom sneak in a bar about hustling in some form. While some revel in their humor, like Action Bronson on “Solid Plan,” others take it upon themselves to balance hustler case of mind with warnings of spreading his seed to the wrong person, like Big Sean on “Palisades, CA.” But even with a couple of cringeworthy bars from Sean, he still manages to sound the most inspired he’s been in years.

June isn’t solely responsible for the bevy of animated performances. Alc’s production relies heavily on reproducing the barren rainless feeling of a California summer, allowing each rapper to cruise over the beat like one of the many cars June references throughout the album. “Summer Reign” remains the most significant example of the chilled-out production Alc is responsible for. June’s poised raps continue his trend of self-investment but it’s Ty Dolla $ign’s hook that steals the show despite its brevity. Ty’s serene vocals are assured but they also add a sense of wonder, singing about turning women’s heads when they see him making moves.

With the album’s themes of getting money and investing in yourself being so prevalent, it could have been easy for The Great Escape to fall into the trap of self-indulgence. June can sound redundant in his message, but his delivery never bores thanks to The Alchemist’s varied and exquisite production. Often, his beats will walk the line between the feelings of a perpetual drought and the inside of a smoker’s lounge. The keys driving “Left Behind” transition into the sounds of a summer breeze at the end, almost as if Alc made the beat on a beach at sunrise.

Themes and all, The Great Escape feels like a victory lap for Larry June. His money-making ethos coalesces beautifully with Alc’s serene production. Whether he raps about attaching a gold piece to his Rolls Royce over a rich set of piano keys on “89 Earthquake” or buying a multi-million dollar home on “What Happened To The World,” June sounds relatable and provides the blueprint for aspirational listeners looking to cling to a formula that resulted in success.