Hi everyone. It’s Anthony Stirford from AnthonyXO.Music, and today I’m here with a review of Don Toliver’s new album, OCTANE.
Houston rapper and singer Don Toliver returns with his highly anticipated project OCTANE, a sprawling 18-track album. The project is primarily produced by Toliver himself alongside frequent collaborator 206Derek, with additional contributions from Travis Scott, Mike Dean, Wheezy, and others. Across the album, Toliver delivers high-level production, melodic vocal performances, and a generally cohesive songwriting approach.
On OCTANE, Don Toliver blends alternative R&B with elements of cloud rap, psychedelic rap, emo rap, and trap soul. Vocally, this album showcases some of his most melodic performances to date, leaning heavily into expressive and elastic melodies. Sonically, the album aims for an energetic and immersive soundscape built around psychedelic textures and modern R&B influences.
The production throughout OCTANE is rich and layered, featuring synths, cello, trombone, heavy bass, and polished trap rhythms. Overall, the album feels opulent in its instrumentation and sound design. With that in mind, let’s look at the album’s momentum, cohesion, and standout moments.
The album opens with “E85,” a high-energy opener that immediately signals the album’s explosive intent. The track features orchestral elements layered over melodic trap production, creating a dramatic and immersive introduction. Toliver’s vocals stretch and bend throughout the song, giving it a psychedelic R&B tone that works well. The energy is strong, and his melodic delivery acts as the backbone of the track. As an opener, it’s effective and sets the tone nicely, earning a solid 4 out of 5.
The second track, “Body,” maintains the momentum established by the opener. The song samples Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” but flips it into an electronic-trap direction. The production feels uplifting and reinforces the album’s sense of cohesion. With producers like BNYX, Jahaan Sweet, and Travis Scott involved, the track blends electronic trap, R&B, soul, and hip-hop in a surprisingly experimental way. Toliver’s effort here stands out, and the song keeps the album’s high-energy atmosphere alive. For that reason, I’m giving “Body” a strong 4.5 out of 5.
The album’s lead single, “Tiramisu,” is a sleepy banger and one of the melodic centerpieces of OCTANE. The song leans into an ’80s-inspired soundscape while blending psychedelic rap, pop-soul, and melodic trap. Toliver’s vocals here are slow, smooth, and punchy, which adds to the track’s layered and atmospheric feel. It’s one of the album’s most polished and memorable moments, easily earning 4.5 out of 5.
Track six, “ATM,” acts as a high-energy contrast within the album’s sonic flow. Unlike the slow-burn nature of “Tiramisu,” this track is more aggressive and rhythm-driven. The production features heavy bass and slick, intergalactic textures, while Toliver uses synthesizers to craft a distinctive soundscape. Although it blends similar genres as the rest of the album, “ATM” stands out for its intensity and momentum. It keeps the album moving forward with confidence, making it deserving of either a strong 4.5 or a full 5 out of 5.
“Long Way Calabasas” functions as an atmospheric interlude. Its stripped-down acoustic guitar production pushes the track toward alternative R&B and emo rap territory. The song feels reminiscent of XXXTentacion’s 17 era, particularly tracks like “Jocelyn Flores” and “Carry On.” While it’s a solid moment, it doesn’t fully align with the album’s high-energy focus. It works as a breather but not as a standout, which is why I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5.
Travis Scott appears on “Rosary,” which serves as one of the album’s darker and more atmospheric moments. With production from Mike Dean, Wheezy, and WondaGurl, the track features distorted basslines, church-organ synths, and spiritual harmonies. Toliver’s vocals are deep and processed, adding to the track’s ominous tone, while Travis Scott enhances the psychedelic atmosphere. “Rosary” is immersive and experimental, though not a major standout. Still, its mood and ambition earn it a strong 4 out of 5.
While OCTANE includes several standout tracks like “E85,” “ATM,” “Tiramisu,” and “Body,” it also suffers from filler moments, particularly in the second half of the album.
One of the weaker tracks is “Tuition.” Although it has a woozy atmosphere, it feels dull and lacks the energy that defines the album’s strongest moments.
Similarly, “K9” comes across as filler due to its lack of lyrical depth and underwhelming production. While Toliver’s vocal delivery is fine, it doesn’t do enough to elevate the track.
The seventeenth track, “Pleasure’s Mind,” also feels unnecessary. It sounds incomplete and doesn’t add much to the album’s sonic universe, making it another filler in my view.
Overall, OCTANE is a cohesive project with immersive production, melodic vocals, and genre-blending ambition. The first half of the album is energetic, polished, and aligned with its high-octane concept. However, the second half loses momentum due to a number of filler tracks that don’t match the album’s core energy.
There are clear highlights here, including “E85,” “Body,” “ATM,” “Tiramisu,” and “OPPOSITE.” On the other hand, tracks like “Tuition,” “Pleasure’s Mind,” and “K9” hold the project back. While the album has a strong identity and vision, it doesn’t fully sustain that quality from start to finish.
Final verdict: OCTANE is a cohesive and ambitious project in Don Toliver’s catalog, but it falls short of being a truly great album.
Rating: 6.42/10
- Favorite Tracks: ATM, Body, E85, Long Way Calabasas, and Rosary
- Least Favorite Tracks: Tuition, K9, and Pleasure’s Mine