Every artist has a subjectively “bad” piece of work: be it a song, a drawing, a painting, or a picture, every creator has made something either they or the masses collectively hate. Jack Harlow’s “Jackman.” is a great rebound from the subpar, poorly rated release that was his 2022 studio album “Come Home The Kids Miss You”. A much-needed comeback after the overly industry production feel, Harlow goes back to his more soulful roots in production and voice. The no-feature release of “Jackman.” gives that classic and organic feel that Harlow was known for and urgently needed to bring back after the heavy disappointment that was “Come Home The Kids Miss You”.

Harlow built his brand and musical image based on his family values and his fit in the music industry and the vital return to this feeling came back with “Jackman.” The opening track “Common Ground” has a patented Jack Harlow ambiance focused on lyricism and a minute and a half of reconnecting with his musical roots. A lot of 2000’s feel production carries the softer, personal atmosphere through the meat of the album, especially track three “Ambitious” which keeps that childlike, grindtime aura that’s expected in every Harlow project.

Harlow rounds out the end of the album with four non-explicit, slow, emotion-filled pieces that complete the vibe of the album. He questions himself, the industry, his actions and personal emotions in what feels like an apology to himself and his supporters for straying away from himself and what his music is supposed to feel like. The retrospective lyrics in the closing track “Questions” brings it all in perspective for us on the outside. Harlow explains himself with complete transparency on his struggles with balancing time, work, and women, along with his struggles with success and when it’ll all fall down.

Throughout the trials and tribulations Harlow files out in the end of this album, he keeps his head up and continues to try push his way through to his idea of success despite the troubles he brings upon himself consciously and the ones he runs into physically. “Jackman.” is Harlow’s way of bringing us into his thoughts after only seeing his actions over the last year since his previous release, perfectly displaying that even through his mistakes, he’s still Jack, man.