It's unclear why certain records made the cut and others didn't. Thug's biggest fans would be better off compiling their own greatest hits from the pile, and Thug neophytes will find this year's Barter 6 or last year's Rich Gang tape a much more consistent entryway. Some of them- "Hey I" is a particular standout-are superior to many of the records here. Part of the problem is that Thug's catalog has already been flooded with leaks and unofficial releases.
Nevertheless, Thug remains one of hip-hop's most exciting stylists, consistent even amid inconsistency, and there are moments worth savoring. "Ask 300", the beatmaker tweeted-a reference to Thug's label-when questioned about the more diverse production lineup of the final tracklist.) The bulk of these songs are for Thug completists, or those convinced of his infallibility. (Initially Slime Season was to be produced entirely by London on da Track. Some feel more like workouts, perhaps cut quickly during marathon recording sessions.
It's not clear he even wants to be a songwriter on all these records one gets the impression the tape's been compiled ex post facto, a few fully-fleshed out classics mixed in with studio dross.
An odds-and-ends compilation with no coherent vision, the tape finds Thug rapping at a high level, but performing less consistently as a songwriter. If you're new to Young Thug, don't start with Slime Season.