Post Malone - August 26 (10th Anniversary)

Post Malone named his 2016 mixtape after a release date he ended up missing, and a decade later August 26 returns in a 10th anniversary edition.

The tape first surfaced riding the momentum of his breakout single. Its title pointed to the planned arrival of his debut album Stoney, which slipped to the end of that year, so the tape became the sound of an artist in waiting. He finished it while opening for Justin Bieber on the Purpose World Tour, and for the anniversary it reappeared under the shortened August 26 name.

Much of it was built with FKi 1st, who coached Post through the basics of production, while Louis Bell, later one of his most trusted collaborators, turns up on several tracks. Money Made Me Do It brings in 2 Chainz and later resurfaced on the deluxe edition of Stoney, Git Wit U shows off his knack for a melodic, half-sung hook, and Hollywood Dreams / Come Down drifts into hazy late-night territory. Never Understand opens things with a loose swagger.

Guests including Jeremih, Lil Yachty and Jaden Smith fill out a set that already blurred rap, rock and acoustic guitar. It is the sketchbook before the blockbusters, and this anniversary edition makes it easy to hear where everything started.