Gripping vocals, shredding lyrics, and a strangely optimistic melancholy are the meat and potatoes of Young Blue’s underground effort titled "My Diary: The Mixtape." A gritty, smooth rap album capable of leaving real rap fans shaking, fake rap fans with their jaws on the floor, ladies of all ages hoping, and alterna-kids feeling understood for a second or two, My Diary: The Mixtape is as pure and emotional as it gets. With thick layers of instrumentals fronted by Blue’s trademark smooth, hypnotizing voice and a tendency for witty punch lines and wordplay, Blue is able to combine the metaphors of Jay-Z with the urban growing pains of Tupac, all while crafting a tightly produced, lyric-laden rap album appealing to street, pop, and indie fans alike. To put it another way, My Diary: The Mixtape takes you to a time when the party has ended. The premises has been vacated, and you’re left to clean up the mess, wondering how you ended up in this situation, reminiscing of how you had no choice but to be there, and how life doesn’t seem to be fair at the moment. Though, with a somewhat dark hood atmosphere looming overhead, a bit of sunshine cracks through the clouds and promises that tomorrow might bring a brighter day. Here is a mixtape that plays like an album and hides the optimism, but has plenty of it. This is the album you always crave after the dark times set in. This is the genius of Norwalk, CT’s Young Blue. Music Unlimited Records has unleashed a musical beast on the world. And, he has something to say.