"DIAMONDS" - Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen Album Review

iLoveMakonnen and the late Lil Peep released their album entitled “DIAMONDS”, and it is a roller coaster of emotions. “DIAMONDS” was made alongside iLoveMakonnen prior to Lil Peep’s death in 2017 and released on September 8, 2023.

Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen have worked together in the past, with Lil Peep featuring him in “Sunlight on Your Skin” on his 2018 album “Come Over When You’re Sober” and in “I’ve Been Waiting” on his 2019 album “EVERYBODY’S EVERYTHING”. “I’ve Been Waiting - OG Version” has now been rereleased on their collaborative album “DIAMONDS”.

iLoveMakonnen and Lil Peep were able to blend their differing sounds almost seamlessly in “DIAMONDS.” Each verse sung throughout the album showcases the two’s individual aesthetics.

The musicality in “DIAMONDS” reminds fans of Lil Peep’s consistent sound that can be heard throughout his entire discography. He has a specific vibe to his music that can be picked up on as soon as a song starts, making many songs on “DIAMONDS” feel nostalgic of his older albums.

The album is very mellow, with touches of rock elements throughout. “DIAMONDS” has a level of softness to it that is seasoned with rigid lyrics, showcasing the vocal range of both Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen.

“DIAMONDS” starts on the slower side within the first six tracks, but picks up the pace on track seven, “November,” which was the single for this album. While the middle of the album brings listeners a handful of upbeat and fast-paced tracks, it circles back to the gentle flow that it began with during tracks “Kiss Me” and “Cry Baby 2.”

The softness of certain tracks is what really stands out on this album, with “Cry Baby 2” featuring soft guitar in its intro. A rap song that showcases raw instrumentals can always be appreciated by listeners, as it’s somewhat rare to hear in rap and alternative music.

Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen both have their shining moments throughout “DIAMONDS,” but overall, Lil Peep definitely shined brighter. His raspy vocals and dark aesthetic contribute more to the vibe of the album than iLoveMakonnen’s clearer and brighter voice.

This album has its highs and lows. Few songs on “DIAMONDS” are extremely weakened by their choruses, making them memorable in a negative way, but with the album consisting of 21 tracks, many are left to be forgotten.

“DIAMONDS” has a couple of diamonds though (pun intended) ,and includes multiple songs that are worth listening to again.

“DIAMONDS” ends with “Diamond Piano Freestyle (Outro),” a gorgeous 12-minute piano piece. This outro brings a new level of emotion to the album, as listeners can hear iLoveMakonnen and Lil Peep talking, laughing and singing in the background. This track is a beautiful way to bring the album to a close, showcasing the raw talent of the two artists and the friendship that was shared between them.

Any new music from late rapper Lil Peep will always have fans thrilled, and the release of “DIAMONDS” definitely gave listeners something new. Lil Peep has that specific sound to all of his music that differs from anyone else, making it all the more special to get new unreleased music.

“DIAMONDS” was a representation of iLoveMakonnen and Lil Peep’s friendship and emotions illustrated through the music produced. Despite some songs landing very low on the totem pole, this album was an overall hit.

Rating: 6/10

Reviewer’s favorite songs: “Guiltiness,” “November,” “Tilted”

Reviewer’s least favorite songs: “Prove My Love,” “IDGAF 2”

Sarah Gavlak is a second-year student majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, please email sng5393@psu.edu.