Jack Harlow’s That’s What They All Say is a 15-track mission statement. Released in 2020, the album is less a collection of songs than a map of the rapper’s world: family, basketball, Kentucky, and the strange position of being famous enough to draw attention but still small enough to feel it personally. It runs 42 minutes, and it moves fast.
The title track sets the tone. It is a statement of fact, delivered with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he is doing. That confidence carries through the whole record, even when the subject matter gets darker.
Opening With Rendezvous
The album opens with “Rendezvous,” a short, sharp burst of energy that announces the rapper’s presence. It is a mission statement dressed as a pop hook, all swagger and no filler. The song is brief, and it ends before it overstays its welcome.
“Face of My City” follows, a tribute to Louisville that leans on local pride rather than generic rap clichés. It is one of the stronger tracks on the record, a genuine love letter to a place that shaped him. The production is warm and organic, fitting the hometown theme.
“21C/Delta” is where the record starts to flex its muscles. The track is built around a sample-driven beat that nods to the classic soul records that inspired it. It is a confident move, and it pays off. Harlow sounds comfortable in his skin, and the song’s structure rewards repeated listens.
Funny Seeing You Here Through Way Out
“Funny Seeing You Here” is a slow-burner that builds tension over its three-minute runtime. It is a song about a chance encounter that feels inevitable, and the lyrics capture that sense of inevitability well. The track is not flashy, but it sticks.
“Way Out” is a pivot. It is the most explicitly political moment on the record, touching on themes of escape and freedom. The song’s central image is a road, and Harlow uses it to frame his own journey out of a difficult situation. It is a solid track, but it does not quite reach the heights of the earlier material.
“Already Best Friends” is a lighter moment, a track about friendship that avoids the usual pitfalls of the genre. It is one of the more accessible songs on the record, and its chorus is designed to stick in the ear. The production is clean and polished, and Harlow’s delivery is relaxed.
“Keep It Light” continues the streak of lighter, more melodic tracks. It is a song about staying positive in the face of pressure, and the title is the perfect summary of its intent. The track is pleasant but forgettable, a bridge between the heavier material that surrounds it.
Creme, Same Guy And Route 66
“Creme” is a standout. It is the most experimental track on the record, built around a hypnotic loop that propels the song forward. The title is a nod to luxury, and the music matches that ambition. It is a bold choice, and it works.
“Same Guy” is a more straightforward rap track, a song about identity and staying true to oneself. It is competent, but it does not break new ground. The production is solid, and Harlow delivers his verses with confidence.
“Route 66” closes this stretch with a road-trip aesthetic. It is a song about travel and the people you meet along the way. The track is pleasant, but it is also slight, one of the weaker entries in the middle of the record.
Tyler Herro, Luv Is Dro And Whats Poppin
“Tyler Herro” is a tribute to the NBA player, and it is one of the more specific tracks on the record. The song is built around the idea of a shared experience, and it works as a fan anthem. It is a solid track, though it is not essential listening.
“Luv Is Dro” is a more abstract love song, and it is one of the more atmospheric tracks on the album. The production is hazy and dreamlike, and Harlow’s delivery is smooth. It is a good track, but it is also one of the more forgettable moments on the record.
“Whats Poppin” is a shorter, more immediate track. It is a song about staying current and relevant, and the title is the perfect summary of its intent. The track is energetic, but it is also slight, a burst of energy that fades quickly.
Baxter Avenue And The Remix
“Baxter Avenue” is a tribute to a specific street in Louisville, and it is one of the most personal tracks on the record. The song is built around the idea of home, and it captures the feeling of being rooted in a particular place. It is a strong track, and it ranks among the best on the album.
The album closes with “Whats Poppin (Remix),” a longer version of the track that adds a few seconds and a bit more context. It is a minor addition, but it gives the record a proper ending.
What Works And What Doesn’t
The strongest tracks on That’s What They All Say are the ones that commit fully to a vision:
- “Creme,” which commits to a hypnotic loop and luxury
- “Baxter Avenue,” a tribute to a specific street in Louisville
- “Rendezvous,” a mission statement dressed as a pop hook
The weaker tracks are the ones that play it safe, content to sit alongside the better material without adding much.
The album’s biggest weakness is its middle section, where tracks like “Route 66,” “Luv Is Dro,” and “Whats Poppin” blur together. These songs are competently made, but they lack the individuality that defines the record’s highlights. They are not bad, but they are easy to forget.
Harlow’s strength throughout is his control. He is a rapper who knows exactly what he wants to say and how to say it, and that confidence carries the record through its weaker moments. The production is consistent, and the sequencing is smart, with the album building to its final stretch of “Baxter Avenue” and the remix.
The record is at its best when it is specific. The tribute tracks, the hometown songs, the basketball references — these are the moments that make the album feel like a personal document rather than a commercial product. When it drifts into more generic territory, the album loses some of its edge.
The Verdict
That’s What They All Say is a confident, well-made album from a rapper who knows exactly what he is doing. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a strong statement of intent. The best tracks are excellent, and the weaker ones are merely competent.
The record succeeds because Harlow commits to his vision. He is not afraid to be specific, and that specificity is what makes the album work. When he plays it safe, the album loses some of its spark.
8 of 10.
- Rendezvous1:53
- Face of My City2:03
- 21C/Delta3:34
- Funny Seeing You Here2:34
- Way Out2:49
- Already Best Friends3:17
- Keep It Light3:24
- Creme2:37
- Same Guy2:44
- Route 662:33
- Tyler Herro2:37
- Luv Is Dro2:57
- Whats Poppin2:20
- Baxter Avenue3:28
- Whats Poppin (remix)3:47
