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Baby Keem returned Feb. 20 with Ca$ino, ending a 1,624-day wait for an original album following the 2021 fan favorite The Melodic Blue. The project takes bold experimental chances, delivering flashes of thrilling confidence alongside ideas that do not always land.

Unpredictability remains Keem’s greatest strength. Across the album, he moves freely between melodic, laid-back production and explosive drums. The sixth track, “I Am Not a Lyricist,” pairs a soft piano with restrained vocals before a hidden André 3000 appearance takes over roughly half the song and becomes its centerpiece.

“Circus Circus” captures the album at its most chaotic. Keem changes his voice, rhythm and cadence in the middle of bars, creating the musical equivalent of a loud, brightly colored circus performance. The track relies less on lyrical complexity than on motion, personality and sheer confidence.

Two songs emerge as the clearest standouts. “$ex Appeal,” featuring Too $hort, rides a funky beat and smooth, hypnotic groove. “Dramatic Girl,” featuring Che Ecru, takes a different route with playful production and lyrics centered on joy.

The album’s constant shifts also create its biggest weakness. Its competing tones can make it feel more like a collection of experiments than a unified project, while many songs lack substantial lyrical depth.

Kendrick Lamar’s appearances are another disappointment. After the energy of earlier collaborations such as “Family Ties,” his contributions here feel unnecessary and fall short of the expectations surrounding his inclusion.

Still, Ca$ino stands as Baby Keem’s most distinctive album yet. Its screaming drums, forceful vocals and softer melodic passages produce a rhythmic roller coaster that ultimately adds a compelling new chapter to his catalog.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10.