Shortly after his successful annual Unruly Fest in Jamaica, Popcaan had a nice Christmas surprise for fans when he dropped a new album Best Mood under his Unruly Entertainment label. Popcaan’s management said he is still signed to Drake’s OVO label and will be releasing another album this summer under OVO. This is his second album of 2023, following the successful Great Is He.  Popcaan has been know for his singles and projects more than his albums, dancehall has traditionally been a singles-driven genre. But lately the Unruly Boss has been urging dancehall artists to release albums to be more like the rest of the world and how music listeners prefer their music. Musically this album out-does its predecessor Great Is He with a much wider range of riddims and just a better overall feel and flow.

The album starts off with a great song, a song that really sets the tone and mood for the album, “Heavy.” “This Week” is next up, a nice mellow beat with a sweet flow from Popcaan, while this can be a great single, you already feel the flow through the first two songs. Next up is “Always Welcomed” a nice upbeat club beat, he’s starting to pick up the energy for us. A more melodic tune, “Freaky Gal” is next, and while the energy is not as high, this is one of my favorite songs. His really hits with his flow on this, changing cadence. We move onto “WILDIN” featuring Vory. Not one of my favorites, a little too 'digital' sounding, and doesn’t seem to fit into what we have been hearing so far. Just flat.

As we move to track 6 “Nyash Power,” this takes me back to early Popcaan with a 'Ravin' sound, a nice spot to place this song on the album and I like going back to what made him. Next is “BERETTA” featuring T.W.O. another song that takes me back to earlier Popcaan with a new twist with T.W.O.’s flow. A little more forceful tones with this track. “MAD HEAD” featuring Shane-O is up next, another excellent track, a nice beat and riddim in this, keeps my head bobbin’. This is the first time Popcaan has worked with Shane-O and I hope they will continue putting out music together, really nice flow between them. Track 9 is “Gun Necessary” and is another song out of Popcaan's norm, I like how he challenges himself in this album, and while this is a slower, more simple riddim, the lyrics are more forceful.  We move to the title track “Best Mood” back to a more upbeat song and a great beat to groove to.  One of my favorites on the album.

As we enter the bottom third of this album, Popcaan gives us “Work, Set It.” A great hypnotic vibe that pulls you in an infectious way. “My Hunny” is another great, upbeat song, the lyrical flow on this is really nice. It gives the feel that this album will finish strong. We move to “Tequilla Shots” featuring Fivio Foreign, Vybz Kartel and Chronic Law. Another great track (it is actually a remix), a cool riddim and all three guests hit it so well. We hit the second to last song, “Save Energy,” where Popcaan slows it down some, a good drum beat and a nice slow, typical Popcaan flow. We finish this album off with “Life Is Real” a song that is a perfect end to this solid album, an album that I think is Popcaans best work to date. Have there been singles I have liked more, yes, but as a complete project this is a solid project. Popcaan gives us some deep lyrics that resonate with legitimacy and emotion. This is a must listen to album.

One Love - Todd