After blowup single “WHATS POPPIN,” Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow’s music has reached nationwide popularity rather than just being a Louisville household name. Following his 2020 release of “That’s What They All Say,” an album with mixed reviews, Harlow needed to prove he was destined to be at the top of the game.

Harlow released the album “Come Home the Kids Miss You” Derby weekend. Prior to that project, he released two songs that are on the album, “Nail Tech” and “First Class.” On “First Class,” Harlow combined a Fergie sample and loose bars to make a song that was ear candy. This smooth track left fans wanting more of the same, but did Harlow deliver?

Boasting many big names and rap/hip-hop legends such as Drake, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne and a secret Snoop Dogg feature, Harlow wasn’t lying about bringing some amazing talent on the album. While this project was promising with the features and hype surrounding it, I didn’t find myself playing many songs on repeat. After the almost one and a half years that Harlow fans waited for a new project, it was less than satisfying.

Harlow’s older albums, “Confetti” (2019) and “Sweet Action” (2020), have fewer features, but Harlow seemed to be feeling himself more. The tempo on “Come Home the Kids Miss You” is slower than his previous work, and he seems to be taking big inspiration from Drake’s slow but melodic rap and hip hop. While this works for Drake, it is hit or miss for Harlow.

On tracks like “Young Harleezy” and “Churchill Downs,” Harlow’s slower flow meshes with the beat correctly and they work. But on tracks like “Like a Blade of Grass” and “Lil Secret,” the beat seems to overpower Harlow’s hushed vocals. The problem with Harlow doing this is he can’t be something he isn’t.

What makes Harlow special are his fast-switching cadences, witty lines, and his ability to keep up with fast-tempo instrumentals. Other than his witty bars, Harlow fails heavily to deliver in the other two categories.

Only on the songs “Young Harleezy,” “I’d Do Anything To Make You Smile,” “Dua Lipa,” “I Got a Shot,” “Churchill Downs,” and “State Fair” does Harlow really seem to feel like himself. Every other song is lackluster and doesn’t seem natural. Harlow’s work usually puts powerful images into your head, but this project falls short. He needs to find his groove again, and hopefully his next album reflects his strengths.

While the latest project isn’t a complete flop and Harlow is at his peak of popularity, let’s hope for a stronger album that instead of copying other artists’ styles takes Harlow back to what got him to the top.