Come Home the Kids Miss You
Come Home the Kids Miss You is the second studio album by American rapper Jack Harlow. It was released on May 6, 2022, through Generation Now and Atlantic Records.[1] The production was handled by multiple producers including Harlow himself, Pharrell Williams, Rogét Chahayed, Charlie Handsome, FnZ, Boi-1da, JetsonMade, Oz, and Timbaland, among others. The album features guest appearances from Williams, Drake, Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne.[2] Backed by a rich production, the album consists of Harlow's thoughts on newfound fame, relationships with women and his ambition of dominating music.
Come Home the Kids Miss You
May 6, 2022
45:04
- Generation Now
- Atlantic
- 2forWoyne
- Ace G
- Audi
- Angel "BabeTruth" Lopez
- Bedrm
- Bobby Kritical
- Boi-1da
- Charlie Handsome
- Clay Harlow
- Coleman
- Dutchboi
- Fede Vindver
- Fierce
- FnZ
- Foreign Teck
- Frankie Bash
- Hollywood Cole
- Jack Harlow
- Jahaan Sweet
- Jasper Harris
- JetsonMade
- John Mayer
- Leon Thomas III
- Lophiile
- Marco
- Mikewavvs
- Nemo Achida
- Nickie Jon Pabón
- Oz
- Pharrell Williams
- Pooh Beatz
- Rogét Chahayed
- Timbaland
- Tobias Wincorn
- WallisLane
Come Home the Kids Miss You was preceded by the lead single "Nail Tech"[3] and the chart-topping single "First Class".[4] The album was met with mixed reviews from critics, who praised the quality of its production but criticized its lyrical substance and lack of character. Despite this, it was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 of the charts in 13 countries. It debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, earning 113,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and becoming Harlow's highest-charting album of his career.
Background[edit]
In March 2022, Harlow revealed the album's title and release date in a cover story with Rolling Stone.[5] He also spoke about working with the album's producers, including executive producers Rogét Chahayed and Angel Lopez, to make songs that develop as they go along so that they "make you [want to] continue to listen", calling it "the whole mission" for the project. Harlow called the album's material "more serious" and his intention to let listeners know he is "one of the best in [his] generation".[6] Harlow also revealed that he hoped to collaborate with American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton "on some hard shit" for the album, and that his management had been negotiating with hers.[7]
Production and themes[edit]
Come Home the Kids Miss You is a hip hop album and also features pop rap.[8] Regarding its production, an editor for Complex said that "every beat on this album sounds expensive".[9] Another said that the album has "upbeat, catchy songs".[9] Variety's A.D. Amorosi says that the album's opener, "Talk of the Town", starts with a "woozily" looped piano.[10] An unannounced guest, Snoop Dogg appears on "Young Harleezy".[9] "First Class" features a sample of Fergie's "Glamorous".[10] "Movie Star", which features Pharrell Williams, is electro-influenced.[10] "Poison", which features Lil Wayne, one of Harlow's personal influences, was described as "mellow, super AutoTune".[10] "Churchill Downs", which features Drake, has a flute-led production.[10] "Dua Lipa" is a trap song.[10] "Like a Blade of Grass" and "Lil Secret", both co-written with Harlow's production team, are R&B songs.[10] According to Esquire's Ammal Hassan, Harlow's influence from Drake is evident; Hassan observes that Drake's influence can be heard in Harlow's flow, melodic singing and background instrumentation.[11] "Nail Tech" features "hypnotic reggae horns looping over futuristic laser beam drums".[12]
Harlow's previous album, Thats What They All Say (2020), was noted for being laid-back, charismatic.[10] On Come Home the Kids Miss You, he builds upon the same thing and additionally adds a more "potent, direct and swaggering" ambiance to it.[10] The album features less humour than Harlow's debut, instead featuring more themes revolving around romance.[10] According to The New York Times' Jon Caramanica, the album consists of Harlow's thoughts on newfound fame, being an object of desire and his ambition of dominating music.[13] Robin Murray of Clash also observes that Harlow discusses issues surrounding relationships.[14]
Amorosi said that the album's opener, "Talk of the Town", is an autobiographical and braggadocio track, where Harlow discusses his rise to mainstream success with references to his neighbourhoods and allegiances while growing up.[10] On "Young Harleezy", Harlow concentrates on self-reflection[9] and insecurity, asking "am I enough?".[10] On "Parent Trap", which features Justin Timberlake, the two artists acknowledge the pitfalls of fame.[10] Similarly, "Churchill Downs" also covers this topic, in which Harlow and Drake compliment each other.[10] "Dua Lipa" is dedicated to Harlow's admiration for singer Dua Lipa; Harlow also concentrates on the "leaps of faith an artist makes anytime he writes a lyric down".[10]
Commercial performance[edit]
Come Home the Kids Miss You debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, earning 113,000 album-equivalent units (including 8,000 in pure album sales) in its first week.[22] It became Harlow's second US top-five debut on the chart.[22] The album also accumulated a total of 137.05 million on-demand official streams for the album's songs.[22]
Technical