Don Toliver has worked to get where he is. The Houston artist broke through in a big way on Travis Scott’s 2018 album Astroworld, and since then, he’s continued to refine his sound. Toliver has gotten better and better, and his commercial success has followed suit. He scored his first top ten hit in 2020, and his last two albums have debuted within the top 10 of the Billboard 200. His new album, Hardstone Psycho, is garnering stellar reviews from critics. Furthermore, it’s already proven to be the artist’s most successful release yet.
Hardstone Psycho debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. Technically, this is a spot lower than his second album, Life of a Don. The album sales are second to none, however. Hardstone Psycho sold 77K copies in its first week. This makes it the best-selling debut of any Don Toliver album to date. For a point of comparison, Life of a Don sold 68K first week. Love Sick, his third album, sold only 40K during its first week. Don Toliver is inching closer and closer to superstardom. It may seem like a long process, but the artist is in it for the long haul.
Don Toliver talked about his musical journey during a 2023 GQ profile. He credited his eclectic taste to his parents, and admitted that he was initially pigeonholed by comparisons to other artists. “People say I sound like Akon, or like T-Pain,” he recalled. “But I feel like I sound like myself.” The artist went on explain how a gradual increase in popularity has actually given him time to make mistakes and hone his musical craft. Now, he’s more confident than ever. “I know how to do everything,” Toliver boasted. “I can literally hear any beat and know how I should sound, or somebody else should sound.”
Hardstone Psycho is a testament to this confidence. The album sees Don Toliver try out sounds as varied as sample-heavy hip-hop, dance-centric party songs, and rock-laced anthems. The artist wants to break down genre frameworks because the icons he idolizes did the same thing. “I want people to listen to my music and think it’s timeless,” he told GQ in 2022. “To think about Marvin Gaye, Sade, Jay-Z, and just listen again. All I strive for is to be in the conversation with some of the greatest of all time.” He’s clearly on his way.
An artist who gets to play a show the day that their album comes out might feel like a superstar athlete entering their first game of the season. There’s been a lot of build-up beforehand, there’s a lot of pressure to deliver, and you get to give fans a taste of what’s to come in the following weeks and months. When Don Toliver joined the rest of Cactus Jack for their Summer Smash set this past weekend, it became immediately clear that his new album, HARDSTONE PSYCHO, is a picture-perfect crowd-pleaser in the live setting. Bolstered by fiery singles like “BANDIT” and more vibe-inclined teasers, the project made impact as his most comprehensive, versatile, and well-rounded artistic picture up to this point. The live guitar for the Chicago festival represents just one of the various elements that make this record a pretty gratifying experience.
Whether you’re a longtime Don Toliver fan or a skeptical newcomer, HARDSTONE PSYCHO is well aware of the expectation to engage, captivate, and entrance on a sonic level. The production is almost always layered and balanced, the Houston native’s performances are as sticky as ever, and it’s all brought together by an aesthetic consistency that’s never appeared on a Don album to this level. It feels like a true sequel to the regal grittiness 2021’s LIFE OF A DON following the more sweet, soothing, and sluggish Love Sick in 2023. However, some empty spaces in the songwriting, plus slightly hollow lyrical and melodic retreads, threaten to take away from H.P.‘s cohesion. Luckily, no bump in the road fully stops this roaring Harley from throttling forward.
From the very first track “KRYPTONITE,” motors rev and a whistling synth lingers wistfully before the trap beat comes in with airy but distorted electric guitar chords. This, plus a longing plea for love and weakness in the face of chaotic and high-speed vices, set the stage for what Don Toliver does most successfully and consistently on HARDSTONE PSYCHO. The production is consistently layered, and main producers like 206Derek plus big names like BNYX make sure to give these instrumentals a lot of detail and make them atmospheric yet vivid enough to feel like a motorcycle ride. “TORE UP” is a hard-rocking adrenaline rush of boisterous riffs and chants, the lush strings breathe unexpected life into the drill chiller “GLOCK,” and “HARDSTONE NATIONAL ANTHEM,” with its stadium-inspired drums and rising synthesizers make for a dramatic closing response to the album’s opener. Overall, it’s always some potent ear candy.
Nevertheless, the comparison game between some of Don Toliver’s similar ideas does drag down the tracklist flow on repeat listens. Despite the creative drill flip of Pharrell’s hook on Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful” and earworms on “ATTITUDE,” short appearances from Cash Cobain and Charlie Wilson aren’t enough to flesh out the minimal soundscape into something more wholly present rather than a mood-setter. Meanwhile, “LAST LAUGH” loses its soul-sampling luster by the midway point.
As far as the presentation from a beat-making standpoint, there are very few lowlights here that will disengage you from the push-and-pull of the 30-year-old’s contrasting talents, regardless of a few missteps. Still, there are more compromised and melancholy moments here than scorching ones, and the tracklist could’ve benefitted from a more energetic cut toward the end.
What keeps the energy up all the way through is Don Toliver himself, whose mastery of his idiosyncratic vocal tone, infectious flow switches, and catchy hooks pushes his ceiling further up. “4X4” is a standout performance here thanks to his dynamic delivery and being the last true-blue banger moment on HARDSTONE PSYCHO. He and Kodak Black flow like volatile but relentless gas leaks on “BROTHER STONE,” and his control of both clubby choruses and chopped-and-screwed-adjacent Southern rap on “NEW DROP” offers inescapable refrains. There’s also some great vocal chemistry with Future on the Metro-produced and psych-driven “PURPLE RAIN,” and even “DEEP IN THE WATER” has some addictive tones despite it being the most measured and tranquil performance on the album. Toliver’s most important growth here, as far as what this represents in his career, is his vocal experimentation and evolution of different “voices.”
Yet the lyrical content can be summed up with just two lines: “Lifestyle full of sin, but you heaven-sent,” and “Turn those tears into wine.” Don Toliver keeps the emphasis on the dreaminess and enjoyability of the listening experience, but there’s not much expansive food for thought when it comes to light themes of lust, hedonism, trust, and adventure. There’s a similar repetitiveness to some of the melodies here, such as a “Cardigan”-resembling “5 TO 10” hook, that empty spaces in verses, bridges, and songwriting certainly don’t help. Some more unexpected sounds and invitees could’ve mitigated this, such as an expansion of the charismatic and personality-filled Teezo Touchdown feature on “BACKSTREETS” and leaving Travis Scott’s “INSIDE” croons alone in place of doubling down with a more meager “ICE AGE” guest slot.
Despite moments when HARDSTONE PSYCHO spins its wheels in the mud, it definitely triumphs in taking you on this sonic ride alongside Don Toliver and boasts plenty of highlights for the rest of your 2024 journey. While he built this new era with few new elements, his rock focus and vocal innovations pave a path forward for his artistry and hint at what’s to come. For the kind of album that the “Flocky Flocky” creative tends to make, this is likely his most skillful LP to date and the best display of his toolbox, even with its shortcomings. Fans found that the tendency to box artists into a specific niche became an easy challenge when it came to Don. Fortunately, this album left wiggle room to sustain himself and capitalize on the changes in his life and career.
Furthermore, the new father perhaps chose to split HARDSTONE PSYCHO into four evenly distributed discs for that very reason. It doesn’t work out to its fullest potential, since the album falls ever-so-slightly short of providing a seamless flow to distract from these sections’ overlap. But the strategy does lend itself to an explicit and, for the most part, fully realized vision to mark a distinct change from his earlier sounds and leanings. After all, one of the cuts on here features a vocal outro reportedly from Don Toliver’s late uncle Carl, who supported him heavily and inspired the motorcycle homages on this project. Don’s influences fall more clearly into place here, developing a unique identity despite years of opportunities for complacency. While there’s still a long road ahead in this regard, he’s keeping his foot on the gas to get there.
Don Toliver finally came by with his highly sought after fourth album, HARDSTONE PSYCHO. Fans were dying to get their hands on the project as soon as “Bandit” premiered back in February. So far, it seems that a lot of people are pleased with the end result. The features are adding to that satisfaction, playing a major role on the record. Travis Scott, Future, Teezo Touchdown, Charlie Wilson, Cash Cobain, and Kodak Black all bring something to the table. The latter might have the top performance on “BROTHER STONE”, and it seems that it will find a spot in a lot of listeners’ rotations. Due to the song popping off already, Don did good by dropping the music video for “BROTHER STONE” moments ago.
We can see why, as the beat commands your attention right away. The twinkly and haunting piano melodies, along with the thumping bass and punchy kick drums add up for a winner of an instrumental. Kodak is arguably the best part of it though, with his stop-start flow and energetic delivery. Don also does his thing, keeping the engines revved. As for the music video, Don and Kodak head to the former’s home for a lit party with strippers and lowriders. The now 30-year-old father of one continues to rock his HARDSTONE PSYCHO leather get-up, further promoting this punk rock aesthetic. Travis Scott and Trae Tha Truth, two other Houston natives, make some brief cameos later on at a grungy nightclub. All of them sling ones at the women dancing around them, as they rage throughout the night. You can check out the new visuals with the link below.
A lot of fans of Travis Scott and hip-hop alike were stunned when they heard Don Toliver for the first time on “CAN’T SAY”. The ASTROWORLD collaboration became one of the most revisited songs off that 2018 album and it remains to be that way six years later. Since signing to Cactus Jack, we have seen these two Houston, Texas neighbors grow their chemistry across multiple tracks. With the release of HARDSTONE PSYCHO –Don’s fourth studio LP– this weekend, that number is now at 12 as Scott appeared on “ICE AGE” and “INSIDE”, respectively.
Due to these songs, fans feel that is about time that Travis Scott and Don Toliver drop a collab album. “That album would move mountains”. “Yeah bro their chemistry is crazy”. According to HipHopDX, these are just a few tweets that surfaced shortly after HARDSTONE PSYCHO released. We definitely agree with these takes, as both share similar styles and possess incredible ears for production.
For the most part, we have heard Scott and Don on pretty melodic cuts together such as “Embarrassed”, “You”, and “Euphoria” just to name a handful. Sadly, the explosive cuts are a little less frequent. Prime examples include “Flocky Flocky” and “ICE AGE”. Even still, these offerings are still pretty lowkey. It would be interesting to see them attack some more aggressive and punchier instrumentals. Both have done it plenty of times solo, but doing so together would be electric. So yes, Travis and Don, the time is now, make a collab album!
What are your thoughts on fans wanting a Travis Scott and Don Toliver collaboration album? Do you agree that this needs to happen, why or why not? What is their best song together and why? Out of “ICE AGE” and “INSIDE”, which song is stronger? Is this Don Toliver’s best album to date so far? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Don Toliver and Travis Scott. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Don Toliver has an instantly recognizable voice. Few artists make their presence on a track known as a quickly as the Houston rapper. It’s the reason Travis Scott signed him to Cactus Jack Records, and why he’s amassed a huge following over the last five years. HARDSTONE PSYCHO is his fourth album, but it truly feels like a coming out party. The album encapsulates everything Don Toliver does well on record, while introducing new and exciting musical ideas. Simply put, it’s his best release to date.
The writing was on the wall from the singles. “BANDIT” was a stunning teaser single built on a classic rock sample and a stuttering beat. “ATTITUDE” was even better, as Don Toliver teamed up with Cash Cobain to remake a beloved Pharrell track. The rest of HARDSTONE PSYCHO maintains this exciting, musically bold direction. “BACKSTREETS” is a memorable duet with another eccentric vocalist, Teezo Touchdown. Travis Scott shows up a couple of times to wave the Cactus Jack flag, but his presence is most notable on the nocturnal “INSIDE.” All of the features do their thing, but HARDSTONE PSYCHO is a triumph because Toliver carries the solo tracks with newfound confidence. He’s never sounded better on solo cuts like “LAST LAUGH” and “TORE UP.” He’s the real deal, in case that was ever in doubt.
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Find everything you need to know about Hardstone Psycho below.
Release Date
Hardstone Psycho is due out on 6/14 via Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records. Find more information here.
Tracklist
1. “Kryptonite”
2. “Tore Up”
3. “Brother Stone” Feat. Kodak Black
4. “Attitude” Feat. Charlie Wilson & Cash Cobain
5. “Bandit”
6. “Glock”
7. “Ice Age” Feat. Travis Scott
8. “4×4”
9. “Purple Rain” Feat. Future
10. “New Drop”
11. “Backstreets” Feat. Teezo Touchdown
12. “Deep In The Water”
13. “Inside” Feat. Travis Scott
14. “5 To 10”
15. “Last Laugh”
16. “Hardstone National Anthem”
Singles
“Attitude” and “Deep In The Water” join the aforementioned “Bandit” as Toliver’s Hardstone Psycho singles.
Features
Toliver stacked Hardstone Psycho with notable features. The featured artists are Cash Cobain, Charlie Wilson, Future, Kodak Black, Teezo Touchdown, and Travis Scott. Scott’s inclusion is unsurprising because Toliver is signed to Scott’s Cactus Jack imprint.
Artwork
Tour
As of this writing, Toliver hasn’t announced a headlining tour in support of Hardstone Psycho. However, the Houston-bred artist is scheduled to perform at several festivals this summer, including The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash on Friday, June 14, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. See all of Toliver’s upcoming dates here.
With his new, biker-themed album, Hardstone Psycho, on the way, Don Toliver has revealed the album’s tracklist. It’s 16 tracks long, with guest appearances from New York rising star Cash Cobain, R&B legend Charlie Wilson, Future, Kodak Black, Teezo Touchdown, and (of course) Travis Scott.
To promote the album, Toliver released three singles: “Bandit“, “Deep In The Water“, and “Attitude.” In addition, he teamed up with Fortnite to release a new game mode based on the biker theme of the album.
And while Don Toliver has been plenty busy with the rollout for Hardstone Psycho, his schedule wasn’t so full that he couldn’t help out a few friends on their projects. He’s listed as a featured artist on the tracklists for albums from both Kaytranada (Timeless, out now via RCA) and Toro Y Moi (Hole Erth, slated for September 6 on Dead Oceans).
You can see the tracklist for Hardstone Psycho below.
01. “Kryptonite”
02. “Tore Up”
03. “Brother Stone” Feat. Kodak Black
04. “Attitude” Feat. Charlie Wilson & Cash Cobain
05. “Bandit”
06. “Glock”
07. “Ice Age” Feat. Travis Scott
08. “4×4”
09. “Purple Rain” Feat. Future
10. “New Drop”
11. “Backstreets” Feat. Teezo Touchdown
12. “Deep In The Water”
13. “Inside” Feat. Travis Scott
14. “5 To 10”
15. “Last Laugh”
16. “Hardstone National Anthem”
Hardstone Psycho is out on 6/14 via Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records.
Over the course of his career, Toro Y Moi has followed his muse to some pretty interesting places, from chillwave to synth-pop, house, R&B, and more. On his next album, Hole Erth, which drops on September 6 on Dead Oceans, he seems to be leaning into a blend of modern alt-pop and the scuzzy SoundCloud rap sound of the past decade. Lending to this impression are features from rappers like Don Toliver, Duckwrth, Kenny Mason, and Kevin Abstract, while the rockier, more melodic features include Death Cab for Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard, hyperpop artist Glaive, and synth-pop project Porches, among others.
To kick off the rollout for the album, Toro shared the nostalgic video for “Tuesday,” which reflects on the half-idyllic, half-rebellious teen years of suburban youth. There’s a tongue-in-cheek quality to the lyrics, which toe the line between poking fun at the painfully earnest songwriting of the heyday of Hot Topic and earnestly reproducing it. You can watch the video above and check out the album’s cover and tracklist below.
Toro Y Moi
01. “Walking In The Rain”
02. “CD-R”
03. “HOV”
04. “Tuesday”
05. “Hollywood” Feat. Benjamin Gibbard
06. “Reseda” Feat. Duckwrth & Elijah Kessler
07. “Babydaddy”
08. “Madonna” Feat. Don Toliver
09. “Undercurrent” Feat. Don Toliver & Porches
10. “Off Road”
11. “Smoke” Feat. Kenny Mason
12. “Heaven” Feat. Kevin Abstract & Lev
13. “Starlink” Feat. Glaive
KAYTRANADA is giving Metro Boomin a run for his money. The latter might have more hit singles under his belt, but KAYTRANADA has proven to be one of the most versatile and adventurous producers of the last few decades. There isn’t a sound or a style he isn’t comfortable with, and he always seems to bring out the best in his collaborators. It helps, of course, that he’s able to attract some of the most exciting names in hip-hop and R&B. Timeless is his first solo album since 2019, and it was well worth the wait.
The biggest guest features on the album deliver. Childish Gambino dips back into his “Redbone” bag with the bouncy, constantly mutating funk jam “Witchy.” KAYTRANADA and Childish Gambino seemed like a great fit on paper, and it’s satisfying to see them deliver on what was easily the most anticipated song. PinkPantheress’ airy vocals mesh perfectly with KAYTRANADA’s jittery production on “Snap My Finger,” while Anderson .Paak and SiR add tons of gritty charisma to the Neptunes-laced instrumental “Do 2 Me.” There are a few missteps, like the overly cutesy “Wasted Words” with Thundercat, but the album hits way more often than it misses, as evidenced by standouts like “Drip Sweat” and “Hold On.”
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Fortnite‘s grip on popular culture is honestly pretty impressive. From stealing popular dances for in-game emotes to featuring some of the biggest stars in entertainment as character skins and even hosting virtual concerts from the likes of Billie Eilish and The Weeknd, the game has ingrained itself into music — especially hip-hop — as both a valuable tool for reaching a young audience and a favored pastime of the artists themselves — albeit, a sometimes frustrating one.
The next artist to team up with Epic Games is Don Toliver, who will be the focus of the special game Hardstone. Toliver teased the game/event with a trailer showing off some of the game’s environments, skins, and weapons, which will all revolve around the biker gang theme of his upcoming album, Hardstone Psycho. The collaboration is fitting, considering it was Toliver’s mentor Travis Scott who performed one of Fortnite‘s first-ever virtual concerts, breaking streaming records for the game in the process.
Hardstone will be a “8v8 turf war between two rival biker gangs (Hardstone & Wolves M.C.)… featuring music from Don Toliver’s new album, a fully custom map, immersive gameplay, & more.” You can play the game free on June 10th in Fortnite, by logging onto Fortnite and searching for “Hardstone” from the main menu.
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