A definitive figure in the alt-rap sound of the 2020s, Atlanta’s Kenny Mason has stayed exceedingly innovative without ever veering far off his hip-hop course. If anything, he’s proven a prescient artist, with plenty who’ve emerged in his wake adopting or adapting to his style. Coming off the strength of projects like 2024’s Angel Eyes, his BULLDAWG epitomizes the style he’s been pushing over the last several years. Marked by beat switches and vocal pivots, opener “BULLKILLER” foreshadows the sonic diversity that lies ahead, including bright uptempo moments like “CITGO” and decidedly moodier ones like “BREAK TIME.” He exudes electro-rock swagger on the semi-gothic “WHATUWANNASAY?!” and the heavily emo “STREET CAR,” injecting trap and rage-rap energy into the mood-swinging “BLACK FIT.” A limited guest list keeps Mason at the fore, though features by JID and Paris Texas, on “TEST ME” and “BE WHAT I WANT,” respectively, enhance his greater aims.