aw let's fucking go. we all know this album. but instead of being a trek because i have to write about things i already know (tbh it only felt like that for the wall because it's like 30 tracks), i can't wait to talk about this. TRACK BY TRACK 1 LET'S GO CRAZY. this is absolutely everything an opener should be. an epic intro to get you hooked, iconic lines, packed full of energy and it shows you what to expect (but with plenty of more not yet shown). this song is actual crack in music form. 10/10 also am i the only one who thinks those opening synths need to be sampled in some hypnagogic pop 2 TAKE ME WITH U. such gorgeous production and composition, how does this sound so crisp. the strings are so alive and the snare is so good. i don't really have anything to say about this song but it's absolutely incredible and no steam has been lost. 10/10 3 THE BEAUTIFUL ONES. yes. this song shouldn't work after those two energetic ones but it just does. beautiful keys and probably the best vocal performance by prince bar maybe only the title track. so gorgeous, so lush and so smooth until he goes absolutely crazy. the best example of those insane screaming vocals he is so good at. oh man. 10/10 4 COMPUTER LOVE. is the song good? yes lisa. is it as good as the first three? no but that was some bar to cross. groovy and the progression is great, such amazing production. this song actually grew on me hugely this time around. 9/10 5 DARLING NIKKI. this album is just so glamorous. amazing production, when this song gets going it really gets going, those synths are everything. i really like that weird ass sound collage ending too, it sounds like something bowie would tack on to the end of his songs, it's probably the most experimental part of a top billboard album. 6 WHEN DOVES CRY. i don't even know if this needs a bass anymore. it's so minimalistic yet so great, and when those synths finally come in it's so glorious. such a catchy and flawless song. it's perfect and to think it isn't the best song on the album is crazy. 10/10 7 I WOULD DIE 4 U. this is another one that just grows on me everytime i listen to it. i always liked it but i never felt like listening to it but it's just great too. peak production, catchy, amazing composition and instrumentation. 10/10 8 BABY I'M A STAR. he is. i've always been of the opinion that this sounds like every other song on the album, and it kind of does, but every song is the shit. this is packed with energy and it's just so fun, and it drives the album forward. it drives it so forward that we're really gonna need a hell of a powerful ending but idk if he has it in him. 9/10 9 PURPLE RAIN. what the fuck do i even say about this. if for even one second i remember this as being a bit cheesy or overblown i can just listen to it and get totally floored by it everytime. one of the greatest songs of all time. everything about it is perfect. the buildup especially to the best guitar solo ever, it genuinely sounds like ascending to heaven despite how fucking cheesy that sounds. guy sounds like an angel over the guitar. i can't believe this song exists. 10/10 an outright classic in every regard. there was no way this wouldn't be beloved by absolutely everybody, and i hate to think that it mightn't were it released now. sure it's probably the poppiest thing prince released but for most artists that isn't also their magnum opus because this album is the shit. everything about it is perfect and you can pretty much play it at any occasion for any mood at all. there is never a time where i don't feel like listening to it, when it popped up as my next album a huge dumb fucking grin grew across my face. absolutely stunning. 10/10