When Young Thug first came out, I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t his biggest fan. As the years have gone on–and the fact that he pretty much birthed a generation of artistry–I’ve come to appreciate the way that Thugger uses his voice as an instrument of its own. On FBG Goat’s “Private Phones,” both he and Goat utilize this approach, and both utilize it to great results.

Over the boisterously bass-heavy London On Da Track-produced instrumental, Goat and Thug discuss their pasts and presents, somehow walking that fine line between lamentation and self-congratulation. This is the second release from Goat’s upcoming Mounds 2 project (the first was the Future-aided “Aerobix”). For me, it was definitely a good choice to highlight different sides of the artist. Goat’s line about his father being high off dust hit me harder than it probably should’ve. That’s mainly because my own father often would find himself messed up beyond repair (though alcohol was his preferred method of over-inebriation). Thug gives listeners an “I understood the assignment” type of verse. It’s not his best, but it’s entertaining and vivid. If you would’ve told me when Thug first came out that I’d be writing about his music in this manner, I may have looked at you a bit awkwardly. I would’ve said “never say never,” but I would’ve still looked a bit like “word? Really?”

That said, it’s always better to be late than never (in terms of discovering new ways to create and make music). Check out “Private Phones” below and remember to support dope music in all its forms.