Berner has been killing it with the collaborative albums this year, and the Taylor Gang stoner's VIBES project remains an underrated and star-studded drop. If his Styles P collaboration largely celebrated the glories of all things marijuana, his project with Young Dolph is a little more up-tempo and aggressive. While the drugged out odes are still present and accounted for, the eight track EP's hard production gives the project more edge than his previous, Indica clouded release. As for the album's other contributor, the Paper Route rapper Young Dolph comes through with some of that Memphis flair.
While the project's abundance of guests somewhat dilute the collaborative chemistry between the emcees, the end result absolutely manage to justify the means, and there are plenty of bangers to find on this one. "Die Young" stands out as an album highlight, and the penultimate, Peewee Longway assisted track builds a solid amount of tension with up-tempo drumwork and a dope guitar riff.
The project features appearances from OJ da Juiceman, Project Pat, Philthy Rich, Juicy J, Prezi, Gucci Mane, Peewee Longway, and Ampichino. Ultimately, every song has a feature, and while that's not necessarily a negative, it does take away some of what makes a hip-hop duo such a unique and special thing. However, when you have guests like the legendary Gucci Mane coming through on badass anthem "Knuckles," what more can you really say? I mean listen to these lyrics from Guwop, who's always down to think of new ways to use household appliances:
"This what you asked for so broomstick up your asshole
I take your future from you, what I need a mask for?"
While there's no appearance from Berner's former collaborator Styles P, Taylor Gang head honcho Wiz Khalifa slides through for a smooth verse on "Heron." Overall, Tracking Numbers is a solid listen from front to back, so be sure to check that out.
