Hate it or love it, auto-tune was pronounced dead maybe a decade too soon. Though Jay-Z has upheld his end of the bargain, by remaining true to himself, so has T-Pain as a purveyor of the vocal affectation. You may have liked the unplugged version of T-Pain that he displayed on NPR's Tiny Desk, but anything beyond that point of manipulation would seem an embellishment from the rappa ternt sanga. The novelty of hearing T-Pain relax his vocal chords wore off fast, and he's back to prove his instincts correct.
"Everything Must Go Vol. 1" is T-Pain's way of staging a clearance sale of all his loose ends, at least at first glance. Songs like "Dance All Night" see T-Pain revisit the blippy sounds of his first and second albums. With respect to vocal arrangements, T-Pain hasn't lost a step. He still shows a willingness to rev his engine at short notice. The effect always for continuity when the beat reaches a standstill, and he doesn't go at it alone. Ace Hood, Joe Budden, and Joey Bada$$ all make surprise appearances on the mixtape, the latter two on a song titled "That's Me," which serves to note that retirement can be repealed at any time.
Enjoy.
