Lauryn Hill’s “Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)” single cover

Lauryn Hill has been on the losing end of a tax evasion case for months and as a result of her inability to service her debt, she was forced to sign a new million dollar record deal with Sony ATV. The first release from the joint arrangement with the label and her own company Obverse Creation Music is the politically-driven “Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)”.

“Here is a link to a piece that I was ‘required’ to release immediately, by virtue of the impending legal deadline,” stated Hill in a statement to her fans. “I love being able to reach people directly but in an ideal scenario, I would not have to rush the release of new music… but the message is still there.”

Unfortunately, the “message” of which Hill spoke is lost in a mix of offbeat rapping over a track that sounds unmastered. Before I give my full opinion, listen to “Neurotic Society”:

Hill is easily one of the great artists of the last century but “Neurotic Society” is nothing more than confusing ranting. Yes, the song is lyrically song but that’s only half the battle. Did Hill not notice that her words are completely disjointed from the music or is this record her ode to Azealia Banks? Either way, I sense that she simply doesn’t care and such lacklustre material is only being release so that she isn’t sent to jail. Get it together, Hill.

Thanks Rap-Up!