This is the third studio record from Detroit, Michigan-based emcee Courtney Bell. He dropped his full-length debut album 10 Commandments in 2018, followed it up with his debut mixtape Poverty Stricken a few years later, and later received mentorship from Royce da 5’9”, while his 2024 sophomore effort Microdose under MNRK Music Group provided him with a new perspective after overcoming his own mental health issues.
“The Wounded Healer (The Book of Eli)” begins with a soulful two-and-a-half minute drumless intro talking about turning his verses into gospel, while “Stumble” reminds the world that we’re all flawed. “He Don’t Know” leans more into a pop-rap vibe, telling this woman that her man doesn’t know what to do with her, before talking about the same shit in “Everyday” just so he can get through it.
Meanwhile, on “Virgil,” Courtney promises to never go back to the hood as he lives out the rest of his days in a jazzier Detroit sound, while “Guard My Temple” mixes in some horns and bells and talks about getting tired of acting like he’s not the person they’re imitating. “ISO” continues the trap-instrument warning that he’ll leave someone on a stretcher if his trigger finger gets itchy, while “Bang” features Benny the Butcher, reenacting one of my favorite microdosing moments for some reason.
“Problems” showcases a soulful discussion where everyone has their own issues they’re dealing with, while “Costly” featuring Nick Grant unites over a jazzy beat to talk about what they’ve seen even if they didn’t make it. “Hope You Understand” admits he found God after almost not making it for a while, and “Thank You” finally talks about the grief he’s been doing.
Coming two years after Courtney Bell’s MNRK debut, his return is conceptually based on delayed gratification and suggests we should put faith over time. Basically, when he says “it will get better,” it does. The production is diverse and includes boom bap, jazz rap, no drums, trap and Detroit trap, teaching us that God sometimes hides a reward until the soul is ready to receive it, and most of the guest appearances except for a couple are doing hooks.
Rating: 7/10
