The lyric pinpoints a very particular, and prevalent, response to social inequity: passing the buck. “Call Obama, Jesus, Yeezus/He can save Chicago from the demons and the deacons,” Saba raps sarcastically on the Noname-assisted “Church/Liquor Store,” a Common-esque hood log that notes the role community institutions play in creating a toxic atmosphere. He seeks an ear from anyone listening (human or divine), and solutions from anyone who has them. The imagery is overwhelmingly theological on Bucket List-paradise, demons, heaven, prayers, blessings, preachers-usually with intent to make sense of a chaotic natural order. But with death seemingly lurking around every city corner, it wonders, openly, about impermanence, too.

Bucket List Project, which shares similar sonic space, picks up where its predecessor left off, telling West Side stories that expose the runoff of American corruption. On his breakout project, 2014’s ComfortZone, he recounted the observations he’s accrued living on Chicago’s West Side, revealing uncanny abilities to scrutinize and to self-assess in the process (on “401k” “All my niggas did time and got beat up/But I was never street enough to grow up and be a thug”).

education system to his own value, grading on a weighted scale. His writing is more analytical, taking stock of everything from the flawed U.S. Saba isn’t always so sure about that, but he wants to believe it. Chance’s joy overflows, rooted in an unshakable confidence that no matter what, we gon’ be alright. Saba has always dealt in a hopeful optimism steeped in pragmatism. To that end, the mixtape encourages listeners and guests to find the spirit necessary to achieve their own goals before they die. “They ask me ‘why Bucket List?’’’ he raps on “California.” “You know the bucket list: I finally climbed the rock, made it to the top of the precipice/I came from the pessimism of inner city as it is,” detailing the obstacles he’s hurdled to come within arm’s reach of his dream. His latest mixtape, Bucket List Project, is about the experiences we long to pack into one lifetime. He isn’t just fascinated by religion and its role in black families and communities, he’s fixated on the human spirit and the soul, too-both in the eternal sense and the mortal one. Many were first introduced to Chicago rapper Saba as another local artist in Chance the Rapper’s orbit: he was a standout voice on Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment’s Surf (with an uncredited verse on “SmthnthtIwnt”) and more recently he guested on Coloring Book’s “ Angels.” Both songs create a decent-enough sample size to assess what exactly Saba is all about: spirituality.

Saba bucket list project 320kbps