From what the world has seen so far, 2016 seems to be the year of album releases. From Kanye West to Future, artists seem to be competing with each other for the #1 spot on the charts. On February 26th Seattle native Ben Haggerty, known by his stage name Macklemore, dropped an album for the first time since The Heist in 2012. With hits Thrift Shop, Same Love and Can’t Hold Us, his next album has serious competition for top of the chart songs.

With 13 songs (and two bonus tracks), This Unruly Mess I’ve Made seems to be just the album you would except from Macklemore. The album opens with a vivid portrait of his memories of the 56th Grammys. Light Tunnels makes for a solid confessional that shows his struggle with the phoniness of award shows and fame. He spends the first half of the track dissing the event, but ultimately realizes an ironic truth: He wants “to make sure I’m invited next year/ to the same damn party.”

The LP concludes with White Privilege II, which caused a stir in the media and social network world. The track details how Macklemore & Ryan Lewis continue to make an impact with black organizations in the Seattle community. Is it white privilege that lets Macklemore dominate this conversation when a black rapper might get drowned out trying to touch the same topic. Among Macklemore’s white, suburban listeners, the song certainly has the chance to spark discussion. Similar to The Heist (2012) and The Language of My World (2005), this album goes from comedic rap to socially conscious tracks. In the blink of an eye, Macklemore went from relative Seattle unknown to worldwide superstar.

1. Light Tunnels (feat. Mike Slap)
2. Downtown (feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz)
3. Brad Pitt’s Cousin (feat. XP)
4. Buckshot (feat. KRS-One & DJ Premier)
5. Growing Up (feat. Ed Sheeran)
6. Kevin (feat. Leon Bridges)
7. St. Ides
8. Need to Know (feat. Chance the Rapper)
9. Dance Off (feat. Idris Elba & Anderson.Paak)
10. Let’s Eat (feat. XP)
11. Bolo Tie (feat. YG)
12. The Train (feat. Carla Morrison)
13. White Privilege II (feat. Jamila Woods)
14. The Shades
15. Spoons (feat. Ryan Bedard)