J. Cole's "The Fall Off" is his seventh studio album.
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Some of us are still knee-deep in J. Cole’s (Jermaine Cole) latest album, "The Fall Off", and fans are saying this might just be one of his best yet.
This is his seventh studio album, and yes, let’s not sleep on his past work because Cole has been carrying us through ups, downs, heartbreak, and self-reflection for years.
But this album hits at the perfect time, bringing messages and melodies that remind you why Cole is Cole. I mean, the guy is harmonising, playing with chords, doing flows that only real ones can appreciate.
Now, let’s be clear: ranking songs is personal. My top five today might change tomorrow depending on my mood, the season of my life, or how much "coffee" I’ve had. But here’s where I’m at right now.
5. Only You, ft. Burna Boy
I love when J. Cole gets in the relationship bag, and this one hits the right spots. In the song, Cole touches on what the women in his life mean to him, reinforcing that he has a ride-or-die and recognising what women go through when it comes to raising children and holding things down at home.
Despite spending most of his time on music, Cole shows that his life with his wife and kids is the highlight of his life. He says, “I owe you patience and a lot of grace, I owe you flowers and a Prada date, I owe you time watching movies that I hate, I owe you chocolates and red velvet cake.”
It takes a strong person to be with someone chasing their dreams, particularly in music, as often you’re not the priority, and Cole recognises that. This track hits extra hard for anyone juggling love, life, and ambition, and that’s most of us.
4. Lonely at the Top
From the jump, the adlibs grabbed me, and then the flow changes throughout the track had me like, “Damn, this is J. Cole?”.
Cole shows off his ability to switch flows depending on the song, which is what makes rappers talented.
This track mourns the decline of artistry in music today, highlighting how once-iconic figures have fallen into making half-assed music, and the depth that once caught our hearts is missing. He reflects on fame, ego, and how artists lose themselves chasing numbers over craft, a feeling anyone who grew up respecting music can relate to.
He also touches on a feeling we all long for, the days when music felt like music. “Still find it hard to replicate what I'm longin' lately, that childish admiration like back when posters hangin’.” Simpler times.
3. I Love Her Again
Now you see, this guy is smart. “I Love Her Again” isn’t just a song; it’s Cole giving us a masterclass in metaphor. It flips the classic hip-hop allegory first made famous by Common’s “I Used to Love H.E.R.”, using the idea of a romantic partner to personify hip-hop itself.
And Cole makes it feel current, speaking to how the culture shifts, how fame and trends come and go, and how real ones stay loyal to the craft.
On the song, Cole reflects on how he fell in love with the culture as a young artist, watched it change over time, and then realised that his relationship with the genre wasn’t simple or one‑sided; it involved nostalgia, admiration, frustration, and reconnection.
At times, he admits that hip‑hop seemed to favour other artists (like Kendrick Lamar and Drake), but the track ends with him confessing that despite its shifts and imperfections, he still loves the art form and feels a deep bond with it.
2. Life Setence
This track is the one we didn’t know we needed in 2026. It highlights what long-term relationships mean before fame and fortune. Cole points out that the people who helped you get to where you are are the ones you need to cherish most, those who were there when he had “a dollar and a dream.”
The song, particularly, is a nod to his wife, the “Eve to his Adam.” He shows that even though they’ve been through ups and downs, he knows they are in this for the long run, which is a comforting line and a refreshing perspective on love winning in the end.
It even takes you back to your high school days and has that feeling of, “Dang, did we walk the same road?” When he speaks on how your biggest worry back then was that the person you smaak (like) would smaak you back.
Good times.
1. The Let Out
This track is my favourite so far, and in a way, I’m so proud of J. Cole for how he has grown in terms of harmony, chords, and the flow of certain songs. This is giving J. Cole as a whole band by himself. The harmonies and off-chords come at the right times.
It kind of reminds me of Michael Jackson’s "Stranger in Moscow" when it comes to vocal arrangements.
"The Let Out" captures the tense, unpredictable reality of life in spaces where danger lurks just beyond the music and lights. Set in and around a club, the song tells a story of paranoia, survival, and fleeting moments of connection, where a night of fun can quickly turn violent.
You know how sometimes going to the second location after being at a party or something never ends up being a good idea? Avoiding certain things can save your life.
Scenes like clubbing have become places where dark things go down, and the title of the song "The Let Out" refers to the closing time of a nightclub, usually around 2am.
It also tells the story of how actions don’t often match words when it comes to loyalty.