The Life of Pablo is a messy album that feels like it was purposely put together that way. The album almost sounds like it is more of a mixtape, because the music is scattered around and does not feel like the songs are put in the right order. He also uses a lot of different tones throughout the album that could confuse the listeners. and that’s because it’s made by an artist who feels like a mess and doesn’t care to hide it.

West put a lot of hours into The Life of Pablo, even after he gave it an official debut at Madison Square Garden – the most popular track here, “Ultralight Beam,” sets up a gospel theme with Kirk Franklin, Kelly Price, The-Dream and Chance the Rapper.

West also brings in Rihanna to sing a Nina Simone hook, then duets with Chris Brown a few tracks later for the song “Waves.” For “No More Parties in LA,” West puts Kendrick Lamar, Johnny Watson and Larry Graham on the same track. High-profile guests help put together The Life of Pablo, such as the Weeknd in the marital-blues slow jam “FML” or Young Thug in “Highlights.”

In The Life of Pablo, West speaks deeply and emotionally in the album. He wants the world to see him as someone who does not care, because he is worried that the world might see him as a hard-working husband (“FML”). He sings “I been living without limits, as far as my business, I’m the only one that is in control, I been feeling all I’ve given, for my children, I will die for those I love”. He also speaks as distant dad (“Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 2”). He sings “How can I find you? Who do I turn to? How do I blind you?” along with all the other things he worries he is.

“30 Hours” looks back on a failed long-distance relationship.  But it sounds like West is actually mourning the long-running love affair between himself. When he put together “I Love Kanye” the punch line “I love you like Kanye loves Kanye.” Kanye knows he always finds a way to hurt others that he loves. Even Kanye himself.

West is someone who thinks people only like him because he is childish. When he jokes about his hate with women in “Famous,” it is almost sad with the fact that West was willing to put together those jokes just for his album, and not even getting those laughs out of it. But that’s part of what West is trying to figure out on The Life of Pablo.

West doesn’t go for any grand musical and emotional statements on the level of “Bound 2” or “Runaway.” West just drops a large mess all over the album and expects to get his fans to put all of it together.