Please listen to Bo Burnham, he is insanely hilarious.
Burnham, the 23-year old former (and future?) youtube star who made his name writing witty one-liners in rap songs to the key of his piano has now come out with his third masterpiece. And while his musical prowess was always, and forever will be, undervalued, his humor cannot be.
After touring successfully for years, Burnham has made two albums to go along with two filmed stand-up sessions. He became known as the small, funny, nearly indescribable but crucial part of the realm of the counter-culture. Often parodying the business of art (and himself), religion, misogyny (often by being overtly misogynistic to convey the point, like many others before him). With the first album contained mostly piano-driven rap songs and the second included dance-anthems along with synchronizers; Burnham was able to successfully convey all of his points while being extremely enjoyable and original.
And yet, his last album what. is clearly his best work to date. While the boyishness and the bathroom jokes are still clear and full, Burnham again is able to push the envelope, providing funny judgment to everyone including himself.
Self-deprecating humor has always been a staple for modern comedians, but Burnham is able to make fun of himself in multiple different ways (in songs, quick jokes, “poop-based puns”).
To start, the album kicks off with this interweaving, interactive miming song that is hilarious, thoughtful, and of course, silly as crap. The next song, “sad” is yet another piano-driven parody, where he makes fun of his job and the thousands of others doing it. It’s almost as if he parodies comedy as an institution and allows himself to be taken seriously as a comic at the same time; it’s marvelous, and also wholly entertaining.
And the album continues on this irreverent and unpredictable route. (There is one song where he pantomimes masturbation for about a minute. Wait, before you judge, watch it.) However, what’s most gratifying about this album isn’t the comedy for once, it’s his interesting take on music, religion, peace and happiness. The song, “In God’s perspective” is deeply introspective and well-intended. And what it lacks in slapstick humor, it makes up for in tears shared.
After that the album picks up in its humor with the song (and should-be lead single), “Repeat Stuff,” Burnham parodies modern pop-music (and does so hilariously...he mentions Satan) and with the end of the song, he brings an interesting observation regarding the self-esteem of children and the effects brought on by modern pop music.
Really the only slight regret for the entirety of the album is that there isn’t one of those crazy, big-band, swagger-dripping faux-dance anthems that excelled in his sophomore debut. But alas, there is more than enough teenage comedy to recover.
The ending of the album was a whirlwind in itself, and a daring escape into even more introspection as Burnham rock-pantomimes his way to the only climactic finish that he deserves.