Moon Boy (album)

Moon Boy is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Yung Bleu. It was released on July 23, 2021, through Vandross Music Group and Empire. The album contains guest appearances from John Legend, H.E.R., Moneybagg Yo, Kodak Black, Kehlani, Big Sean, Jeezy, Drake, Gunna, Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Davido, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. It features production from Nate Rhoads, Hitmaka, OG Parker, and Turbo, among others.^[2]

Moon Boy
Studio album by Yung Bleu
Released	July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23)
Recorded	2020–2021
Genre	Hip hop R&B trap[1]
Length	49:23
Label	Vandross Empire
Producer	Adriel Calaway Bordeaux CazNovBeats Chaz Jackson Crater Aldaz Dashawn "Happie" White Dinuzzo DMacTooBangin DY Eric Forcen Ervin Garcia HicksMadeThat Hitmaka JD On Tha Track JuanRa Mike Woods Morgan O'Connor Nate Rhoads Non Native OG Parker ReoN Romano Swamiq T.Hill Triple Six Turbo
Yung Bleu chronology
Love Scars: The 5 Stages of Emotions (2020) Moon Boy (2021) Tantra (2022)
Singles from Moon Boy
"You're Mines Still" Released: October 16, 2020 "Ghetto Love Birds" Released: January 22, 2021 "Baddest" Released: June 11, 2021 "Way More Close (Stuck in a Box)" Released: July 9, 2021 "Beautiful Lies" Released: November 2, 2021

Background and release

Bleu said that for his debut album he wanted to define "his unique sound, made of this era's wave of autotuned trap music mixed with R&B beats and melodies".^[3] He told The Breakfast Club, "I've always been a fan of R&B, and i was lucky enough to have some of my biggest inspirations on my album, such as John Legend and Chris Brown. Breezy actually inspired me with the moon concept with his Heartbreak on a Full Moon album, that I thought was unbelievable".^[4] He explained that his intention with the album was to become a notable mainstream artist: "I've been on the underground scene for a long time. This is my crossover to that bigger level".^[5]

Singles

The lead single of the album, "You're Mines Still", which features Canadian rapper and singer Drake and is a reworked version of Bleu's single of the same name, was released on October 16, 2020. The second single, "Ghetto Love Birds", was released on January 22, 2021. The third single, "Baddest", which features American singer Chris Brown and American rapper 2 Chainz, was released on June 11, 2021. The fourth single, "Way Too Close (Stuck in a Box)", featuring Big Sean, was released on July 9, 2021. The fifth single, "Beautiful Lies", a collaboration with American singer Kehlani, was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on November 2, 2021, after initially being released as a promotional single on July 21, 2021.^[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Pitchfork	5.9/10[8]
HipHopDX	[9]
Popdust	6.5/10[1]

Upon its release, the album was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Fred Thomas of AllMusic complimented its versatile range, finding it unusual for a trapper, saying that "The album meanders somewhat through its various styles, and there are several less memorable tracks among the stronger material, but Moon Boy ultimately gels regardless."^[7] Pitchfork reviewer Alphonse Pierre said that "Moon Boy is weighed down by streaming bait, but thankfully it does include a handful of Bleu's highest highs, such as "Die Under the Moon" and "Baddest"".^[8] Ben Brutocao of HipHopDX praised Bleu's performances, stating "Bleu's autotuned voice is his greatest asset, powerful enough to deliver sonorous hooks", but was disappointed of its lyrical content, saying "his lyrics are devoid of anything unique or personable".^[9] Popdust said that the album shines on his "sugary autotuned R&B club hits" and falls flat on his "super cliché trap-influenced street tales".^[1]"

Track listing

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Die Under the Moon" (with John Legend)	Crater CazNov Beats	3:38
2.	"Tired of You" (with H.E.R.)	Bordeaux Non Native Ervin Garcia Eric Forcen	3:08
3.	"Angels Never Cry" (featuring Kodak Black and Moneybagg Yo)	ReoN JuanRa Aldaz	4:13
4.	"Beautiful Lies" (with Kehlani)	Chaz Jackson Dashawn "Happie" White Dinuzzo	3:32
5.	"Contract Killers"	JD On Tha Track Swamiq	2:03
6.	"Way More Close (Stuck In A Box)" (featuring Big Sean)	Nate Rhoads Hitmaka	4:08
7.	"Shoe Box" (featuring Jeezy)	Nate Rhoads	3:37
8.	"Late Summer"	Nate Rhoads	2:47
9.	"You're Mines Still" (featuring Drake)	Nate Rhoads	3:46
10.	"Water Works" (with Gunna)	Morgan O'Connor Turbo DY Krazy	3:14
11.	"Baddest" (with Chris Brown and 2 Chainz)	Hitmaka OG Parker Romano Mike Woods	3:22
12.	"Unforgiving" (with Davido)	T.Hill Adriel Calaway	2:37
13.	"Dark Clouds"	JD On Tha Track Dmac	2:53
14.	"Old Days"	HicksMadeThat Triple Six	3:10
15.	"Ghetto Love Birds" (with A Boogie wit da Hoodie)	Nate Rhoads	3:16
Total length:			49:23

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Moon Boy Chart (2021) Peak position US Billboard 200[10] 12 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] 7

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for Moon Boy Chart (2021) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[12] 97

References

1. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 23, 2021). "Review: Yung Bleu's "Moon Boy" Showcases a Pop Star In The Making". Popdust. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
2. DJ First Class (July 23, 2021). "Yung Bleu is the 'Moon Boy' on his debut album". Revolt. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
3. "Yung Bleu Isn't Happy With Only Stardom, He's Aiming For The Moon". Billboard.
4. "Yung Bleu Talks Loyalty, Linking With Drake, Tory Lanez, New Music + More" – via www.youtube.com.
5. Brow, Jason (July 23, 2021). "Yung Bleu's New Album 'Moon Boy' Marks His 'Crossover To The Next Level' Of His Career". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
6. ""Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases"". AllAccess. October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021.
7. Thomas, Fred. "Moon Boy – Yung Bleu". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
8. Pierre, Alphonse (July 29, 2021). "Yung Bleu: Moon Boy". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
9. Brutocao, Ben (August 18, 2021). "Yung Bleu Takes Crater-Sized Radio Ploys On Star-Studded 'Moon Boy' – To Mixed Results". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
10. "Yung Bleu Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
11. "Yung Bleu Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
12. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2021.