Rapid Review Of X-Yle “Pray For Better” <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Beats: <\/strong>9\/10 <\/p>\n Lyrics: <\/strong>10\/10 <\/em><\/p>\n Concepts: <\/strong>8\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n Replay Value: <\/strong>9\/10 <\/p>\n Visual & Rollout: <\/strong>7\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n X-Yle\u2019s New Album Proves Why He\u2019s Too Special for Just Rap<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Listening to Pray for Better twice really gave me a sense of how meticulously X-Yle<\/strong> crafted this project. The first time, I was fully immersed, taking in every bar and beat without distraction in my studio, letting the lyrics and production settle in my mind. The second listen happened on my way from Jersey to catch the NY Liberty game<\/strong>, and it hit differently , driving through the city, the album felt alive, cinematic, and almost like a personal soundtrack to my trip. I noticed subtleties in his delivery and the interplay between features that I missed the first time, especially how he balances lyricism with melody. By spin two, X-Yle\u2019s world unfolded around me; every track a living, breathing testament to a talent that refuses to be overlooked.<\/p>\n There are rappers who can spit, and then there are artists who can build worlds. X-Yle falls into the second category. With his 17-track manual Pray for Better<\/em><\/strong>, he doesn\u2019t just stack bars over beats , he curates a journey, a narrative arc, and an emotional palette that makes the album feel like a personal diary with commercial edge. That balance is rare, and it\u2019s what makes X-Yle a special talent.<\/p>\n The frustrating part? Not enough people recognize it yet. X-Yle doesn\u2019t chase drill trends, TikTok-ready gimmicks, or rap cliques that flood the market. He sticks to the lane he\u2019s perfected, hard bars, layered concepts, and cinematic songwriting. That makes him harder to box in, and honestly, that might be why the mainstream has overlooked him. But for those who listen closely, there\u2019s genius here. In many ways, X-Yle needs an audience that gets him\u2014the dirty Nike-wearing Lower East Side crowd, the Williamsburg grunge-rap scene, the heads who don\u2019t mind their hip-hop dipped in rawness and conceptual grit. Because the truth is, he\u2019s too singular and too creative to be just another rapper orbiting around other rappers. Pray for Better is proof of that.<\/p>\n Track for Track Breakdown and Score <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Greatness \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGreatness\u201d kicks the album off with a heavy bang, and honestly, it set the tone for me right away. The beat and sample are fire, with a \u201cTed Talk\u201d type vibe that feels both motivational and street-ready at the same time. X-Yle\u2019s delivery here is just undeniable, even when the bars aren\u2019t necessarily his strongest , lines like \u201carms up like touchdown, who tf is up now, everybody speaking all at once like it\u2019s clubhouse<\/em>\u201d and \u201cdon\u2019t get ya bell rung like you running late<\/em>\u201d carry extra weight because of how he performs them. What really impressed me was how he took a simple cadence and turned it into something memorable with pure conviction. The outro sample explaining \u201cgreatness\u201d was the perfect final touch, almost like he\u2019s telling us from the jump what his mission statement is with this project.<\/p>\n We Goin Fly \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Coming off the lyrical mastery of \u201cGreatness,\u201d I thought placement here was everything , and X-Yle nailed it with \u201cWe Goin Fly.\u201d The beat sounds like something Havoc from Mobb Deep would\u2019ve cooked up, and it instantly pulled me into that classic NY grit. What really stood out though was the harmonizing hook: \u201cwe gon\u2019 fly aaaaah<\/em>\u201d. It was smooth, refreshing, and showed that X-Yle isn\u2019t afraid to experiment with melody without sacrificing authenticity. The decision to drop this track right after \u201cGreatness\u201d gave the album balance, like a palate cleanser that reminded me the project wasn\u2019t just about bar-heavy flexing but also about range and vibe. Any other placement for this record might\u2019ve thrown the flow of the album off, but here it felt intentional and strategic.<\/p>\n Summertime \u2013 5\/10 (feat. JayMillyRock)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSummertime\u201d wasn\u2019t really my vibe, and I\u2019ll be honest about that. The track feels like a commercial boom-bap record straight out of 1994, with that retro bounce that might hit for some, but came across as filler to me. The saving grace here is X-Yle\u2019s ability to paint cinematic lyrics, because even on a track I wasn\u2019t feeling, he still brought vivid imagery. I\u2019ll give him credit too , the diversity in his portfolio is clear by this point, so even though it\u2019s not my bop, I can\u2019t hate on him for experimenting. To me though, this came across as more of a throwaway track compared to the rest of the album\u2019s ambition and execution.<\/p>\n Belt Parkway Freestyle \u2013 7\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n This track gave me the vibe of X-Yle\u2019s version of a Drake timestamp record, but with his own NY grit and storytelling edge. Unlike Drake, who often leans into reflection on those kinds of tracks, X-Yle\u2019s approach here felt more intentional, almost like he had a point to prove rather than just venting. The storytelling was sharp, which made it less of a freestyle and more of a deliberate lyrical exercise. The beat itself didn\u2019t overpower him, letting his words take center stage, which was the right choice. For me, this one felt like an interlude that worked well to keep the energy flowing without being overly showy.<\/p>\n We Are The Stars \u2013 6\/10 (feat. WHOISSKITZO & JayMillyRock)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe Are The Stars\u201d brought a celebratory energy that felt like a step up from \u201cSummertime,\u201d but it still didn\u2019t fully grab me. The hook is definitely catchy and has that \u201cstuck in your head\u201d effect, which gives it some replay value. WHOISSKITZO honestly stole the show here, elevating the record and adding layers that made it more enjoyable. I do feel like X-Yle was holding back though, almost like he wanted to get this core idea out before going harder later. It\u2019s not a bad song by any stretch, but it felt like more of a team effort than a defining moment for X-Yle himself.<\/p>\n Let Me Cook \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLet Me Cook\u201d was one of those records that made me stop and nod my head instantly , the beat is just fire. What\u2019s interesting is how X-Yle took a more laidback approach with his delivery here compared to \u201cGreatness,\u201d but still managed to make each bar sting. It showed me he knows when to turn the intensity up and when to dial it back without losing impact. There\u2019s a confidence in how he lets the beat ride while slipping in quotables. Honestly, this track could easily stand on its own as a single, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if it\u2019s one fans rally behind.<\/p>\n Mean \u2013 9\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMean\u201d is straight bully music, and it had me scrunching my face as soon as it dropped. The darker production matched perfectly with X-Yle\u2019s heavier, more aggressive tone, and it just worked. Bars like \u201cniggas think it\u2019s sweet come around like a donut<\/em>\u201d show his ability to flip slick one-liners that stick with you. Out of all the tracks up to this point, this one felt like it belonged blasting out of big truck speakers or rattling walls in the whip. Easily my favorite so far , it\u2019s X-Yle at his most raw and unapologetic.<\/p>\n Ape Shit \u2013 10\/10 (feat. Nikko Tesla)<\/strong><\/p>\n Now this\u2026 this is one of those records you run back multiple times. \u201cApe Shit\u201d is an instant standout, not just for X-Yle but for the entire album. The beat has that Pharrell-type bounce to it, something fresh but timeless at the same time. X-Yle\u2019s line \u201cgot so many flows a nigga his own feature<\/em>\u201d couldn\u2019t have been more accurate , the versatility on display was crazy. Add in Nikko Tesla, who matched his energy perfectly, and it felt less like a feature and more like a full-on duo performance. This is one of those tracks that defines why this project is special.<\/p>\n Run It Up \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Following \u201cApe Shit\u201d was always going to be tough, and \u201cRun It Up\u201d kind of suffered because of that placement. The track itself isn\u2019t bad , it\u2019s strong in its own right and delivers the kind of energy you\u2019d expect from a track with this title. But coming off the high of the last song, it felt more like a cool-down moment. In some ways, that\u2019s necessary for pacing, but it didn\u2019t hit me as hard as the tracks around it. Solid, but not one of the most memorable moments on the album.<\/p>\n Where the Love At \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhere the Love At\u201d is X-Yle at his most vulnerable and charismatic. He leans into harmonies just as confidently as he does with bars, showing that his melodic side can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his lyrical ability. What makes the record so powerful is that he\u2019s not begging for validation , he\u2019s flipping the lens back on us, the listeners, holding us accountable for overlooking his greatness. When he asks \u201cwhere the love at<\/em>,\u201d it isn\u2019t insecurity; it\u2019s an artist fully aware of his worth, frustrated with the lack of honesty and reciprocity in how people show support. The conviction in his delivery makes the track feel like a rallying cry as much as it is a question.<\/p>\n Good Energy (feat. Adyeiis) \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n If X-Yle ever needed proof he can craft a radio-ready hit, \u201cGood Energy\u201d is it. The chemistry between him and Adyeiis is undeniable , they bounce off each other with a natural synergy that breathes life into the record. Lyrically, X-Yle\u2019s focus on serenity, abundance, and protecting his peace hits home in an era where toxicity often gets more attention than positivity. Adyeiis lifts the hook with warmth, complementing X-Yle\u2019s introspection and making the track immediately memorable. This is the kind of record that feels like sunlight on a cloudy day, and it cements itself as one of the album\u2019s emotional high points.<\/p>\n By My Side (feat. YNG Mizzle) \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n X-Yle and YNG Mizzle turn Brandy\u2019s<\/strong> classic \u201cBaby\u201d into a modern-day anthem with \u201cBy My Side.\u201d X-Yle slides across the beat with slick, charming lines like, \u201cI don\u2019t want your gram, I want your real number<\/em>,\u201d instantly grounding the song in authenticity. This track shows his ability to make a record that connects on a personal level without sacrificing cleverness. Mizzle holds his own, elevating the track into something that feels both nostalgic and fresh, keeping the essence of the sample while building something new. The result is a no-brainer single that could easily live outside the album as a standalone hit.<\/p>\n Long Time \u2013 7\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLong Time\u201d dips into X-Yle\u2019s more romantic bag, and while the beat and background vocals do a lot of heavy lifting, the record doesn\u2019t completely land for me. I\u2019ll admit , I\u2019ve never been big on romance \/ sex songs, and my natural resistance to them makes this a tougher listen. Still, credit where it\u2019s due: X-Yle delivers with passion and conviction, lacing in grown-man intimacy with lines like, \u201cThe way you work your jaw should be against the law<\/em>.\u201d It\u2019s explicit but in a way that matches the energy of the production, painting a vivid picture. Even if it isn\u2019t my personal favorite, I can respect the versatility it brings to the album.<\/p>\n The Joker \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the record that sets X-Yle apart from the pack. With \u201cThe Joker,\u201d he confronts mental health head-on, blending his advocacy with raw lyricism that cuts deep. He spits with urgency, making the listener feel the weight of every bar , there\u2019s no glossing over his pain or the larger commentary he\u2019s making. The two verses land with precision, but it\u2019s the cinematic ending that really ties everything together, transforming the track from just a song into an experience. It\u2019s the kind of statement piece that makes it impossible to dismiss him as just another rapper.<\/p>\n Hustle Baby (feat. Dutch Alcott & Nikki Owens) \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cHustle Baby\u201d thrives off its collaborative energy, but it\u2019s Nikki Owens who steals the spotlight. Her presence injects soul into the record, giving it a heartbeat that complements X-Yle\u2019s grittier verses. Dutch Alcott adds texture with his contribution, keeping the track layered and engaging throughout. X-Yle himself stays locked in, balancing determination with charisma as he raps about ambition and grind. The result is a solid, motivational cut that feels like it was designed to uplift without being corny.<\/p>\n Demon (feat. JayMillyRock) \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Initially, \u201cDemon\u201d didn\u2019t grab me, but after a few spins, the brilliance clicked. This track is less about reinventing the wheel and more about X-Yle executing the fundamentals with sharpness and weight. The bars are tight, the delivery is confident, and JayMillyRock absolutely bodies his feature. By this stage in the tracklist, X-Yle feels fully in his zone, sharpening his pen while keeping the energy high. The record\u2019s placement near the album\u2019s end makes it hit even harder, showing his depth this late into the project.<\/p>\n Mercy (feat. Isat Fakir) \u2013 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Closing out with \u201cMercy,\u201d X-Yle delivers one of the most dynamic and fitting outros I\u2019ve heard in a while. The reggae-fused hook from Isat Fakir is executed to perfection, giving the song a cultural depth and infectious bounce that sticks in your head. Over it, X-Yle doesn\u2019t let up , his bars are sharp, confident, and imbued with a sense of finality, like he knows he\u2019s closing the chapter of something monumental. The song feels celebratory but also reflective, leaving the listener both satisfied and wanting more. It\u2019s a curtain call that confirms X-Yle is more than capable of commanding attention start to finish.<\/p>\n Pray for Better is not just an album , it\u2019s a creative exercise in arrangement, balance, and vision. X-Yle doesn\u2019t just write songs , he crafts experiences. That\u2019s why I keep coming back to him not just as a rapper but as a songwriter and arranger. The mix and mastering across this album prove how much care went into sequencing and flow.<\/p>\n The crazy part is good rappers are everywhere. But talents like X-Yle? Those are rare. He\u2019s versatile enough to body bully rap, flip mental health into raw street poetry, and then turn around and drop love joints without breaking stride. The industry might not fully \u201cget\u201d him yet, but albums like Pray for Better show why they should. At the end of the day, X-Yle needs to find his people , the LES grunge rap fans, the Williamsburg hybrid crowd who live for artistry over hype. Around other rappers, he blends in. But in the right scene, he shines. He\u2019s not just another name in the rap pool. He\u2019s a creative force, and it\u2019s about time hip-hop recognizes that.<\/p>\n Album Score Breakdown<\/strong><\/p>\n Beats: 9\/10<\/strong> \u2013 Every instrumental feels intentional, ranging from gritty to cinematic to well done samples.<\/p>\n Lyrics: 10\/10 \u2013<\/strong> Heavy wordplay, layered storytelling, clever punchlines.<\/p>\n Concepts: 10\/10<\/strong> \u2013 He balances diversity (love songs, bully tracks, mental health themes) without losing cohesion.<\/p>\n Replay Value: 9\/10 \u2013<\/strong> Certain tracks (\u201cApe Shit,\u201d \u201cWhere the Love At,\u201d \u201cGood Energy\u201d) demand repeat spins.<\/p>\n Visual & Rollout: 7\/10 \u2013<\/strong> Solid execution, but he hasn\u2019t fully broken through the noise yet.<\/p>\n Total Music Score : – 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Total Album Score Score: 9.5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n The X-Files<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n Watch X-Yle official Music Video ‘Run It Up” here now via Youtube<\/strong><\/p>\n Stream X-Yle “Pray for Better” Album here now Via Apple Music<\/strong><\/p>\n Related Articles and NWO Sparrow Stories <\/strong><\/p>\n Follow my Vocal Media page now for more Hip-Hop reviews and News <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source vocal.media \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rapid Review Of X-Yle “Pray For Better” Beats: 9\/10 Lyrics: 10\/10 Concepts: 8\/10 Replay Value: 9\/10 Visual & Rollout: 7\/10 X-Yle\u2019s New Album Proves Why He\u2019s Too Special for Just Rap Listening to Pray for Better twice really gave me a sense of how meticulously X-Yle crafted this project. The first time, I was fully […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1974899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[111443,57960,22847,352501,352498,352500,27160,352496,349843,352499,352497,352502,352503,319747],"class_list":["post-1974898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","tag-not","tag-a","tag-album","tag-by","tag-delivers","tag-his","tag-in","tag-just","tag-latest","tag-manual","tag-musicxyle","tag-nwo","tag-sparrow","tag-survival"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Not-Just-Music\u2014X-Yle-Delivers-a-Survival-Manual-in-His-Latest.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1974898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1974898"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1974898\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1974899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1974898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1974898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1974898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/jerrick\/image\/upload\/d_642250b563292b35f27461a7.png,f_jpg,q_auto,w_720\/68a8ab76d8adcd001d6df652.jpg\")
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