''Mental'' marks the ninth album from

KJ-52 Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name KJ-52, is a Christian rapper from Tampa, Florida. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac,"

. The Paradigm Collective released the project on October 21, 2014. He produced the album with Solomon Olds. ''Mental'' is KJ-52's ninth album and the follow-up to 2012's ''Dangerous''.

Music

CCM Magazine ''CCM Magazine'' is a twice-monthly online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music, published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. History ''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has bee ...

'', "Backed by killer beats, fashionable electronics and in-vogue vocals, KJ pits his sophisticated wordplay against current cultural issues to press out a perseverant scriptural message for all people." Jesus Freak Hideout, "''Mental'' does not really sound like something I would have expected KJ to make, and it is way too easy to pin him as simply trying to morph his sound into a mold that sells better, but it would be unfair to the quality of ''Mental'' to do so." New Release Tuesday, "This new KJ is no less about fun, but he has added an aggressive maturity to his music." Indie Vision Music, "With Lecrae (by way of remix), Tedashii, KB, Propaganda, and Flame all showing up, ''Mental'' feels as much like a Reach Records or 116 clique album as it does a new KJ-52 joint. But, add in gratuitous use of former Family Force 5-er Soul Glo Activatur, as well as guys like Social Club and SPZRKT and a bold new experience takes shape."

Reception

Specifying in a four star out of five review by ''

'', Andrew Greer recognizes, "the multi-Dove Award-winning wordsmith poises his ninth recording for the ultimate spiritual confrontation." Mark Rice, agrees it is a four-star album for Jesus Freak Hideout, responds, "it is safe to call ''Mental'' one more step in the evolution of Mister Five-Tweezey, and a good step at that." Signaling in another four star review from New Release Tuesday, Mark Ryan realizes, "Call it Spiritual or artistic maturity if you like, I will just call it a new attitude and a new passion ignited." Lee Brown, indicating it is a four star project from Indie Vision Music, replies, "''Mental'' brings five absolutely amazing tracks to the table, along with a couple remixes and one track that is ok, but doesn't hold its own against the weight of the rest." Rating the album a 4.2 out of five for Christian Music Review, Jay Heilman says, "''Mental'' is a great album and gives us another reason to get behind today's Christian hip-hop, which continues to pick up momentum while putting Christ atop their messages." Maddy Agers, awarding the album ten stars at Jesus Wired, writes, "It's new, it's real, and it's amazing." Rating the album four stars for Christian Review Magazine, Leah St. John states, the album is a progression of his "sound".

Track listing

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2014 albums KJ-52 albums