Lil Yachty's new album is a sprawling mess - and that's exactly how it should be

Lil Yachty can rap - he just does it in his own unique way.

If you're new to Lil Yachty, you'll probably find his rapping methods a little unconventional. At times, it's wayward, uneven, outrageous, way too Auto-tuned and totally freaking bonkers.

His unique style - and yes, you can definitely call it that - has even led to accusations that Lil Yachty can't really rap at all.

It's easy to see why. On Miles Parks McCollum's debut - the follow-up to last year's excellent Lil Boat mixtape - the 19-year-old Georgia rapper often sounds like he's unaware that there's any kind of beat playing at all.

DN Freestyle, the second of Teenage Emotions' 21 tracks, sounds like one breathless outburst with little appreciation for the twisted trap racket playing behind him. Which seems a shame. It's a great beat.

The same thing happens often across this sprawling hot mess of an album. On Forever Young, Yachty sounds like he's rapping twice the speed he should be. Bring It Back is an 80s love ballad with Genesis drum rolls that belongs on a Breakfast Club reboot soundtrack. And Harley is so Auto-Tuned it sounds like Lil Wayne got stapled to a microphone during a sizzurp bender.

But here's the problem with Lil Yachty. He isn't coming to you. You've gotta go to him. Give Teenage Emotions a few extra spins and all those mad moments and missed lines suddenly fall into place and make a weird sort of sense. Yes, even Peek a Boo, his filthy, eerie hit with Migos.

It's proof that Lil Yachty is keeping his own time, playing to his own beat. On July 25, he'll get the chance to really hit his message home when he plays the Powerstation. Get on board and grab some buoys. He might be navigating his way through choppy waters, but Lil Yachty's boat trip appears to be one worth taking.

Lil Yachty - Teenage Emotions

Label: Capitol
Verdict:Colourful rapper rides his own wave.