(Review) Sunrise Music: For the Jog, the Juice, and the Journey

Listening to Until Night Comes, the latest link-up between Larry June and Cardo, feels like being handed a sunrise in audio form. From the very first track, the project moves like morning motivation—music for hitting the pavement before the city wakes up, soundtracking intention and quiet ambition. While Larry has long carved a lane rooted in lifestyle rap, this album is a reminder that he and Cardo are still evolving. Somehow, the music sounds even better. Cleaner. More refined. But still grounded in the Bay Area's breezy hustle.

What stands out isn’t just the polish, it’s the sense of purpose. Cardo’s production, as always, is laid-back but textured—full of small touches that reward headphones and attention. Larry floats through it, sticking to what he knows: affirmations, vintage coupes, organic living, and calculated independence. And while that might sound formulaic on paper, the execution here is too locked in to deny. This project doesn’t reinvent the wheel—but it doesn’t have to. It just keeps it rolling smoother than before.

A Feature List That Bridges Generations

One of the most impressive parts of Until Night Comes is how deliberate the features feel. From a curatorial standpoint, it’s an album that understands its lineage and future all at once. The appearance of Snoop Dogg on the intro feels ceremonial, like a blessing from the OGs. E-40, Black C, Richie Rich—these aren’t just names for nostalgia’s sake. They help ground the album in a West Coast continuum.

Then there’s the new guard: Don Toliver slides in as the project’s surprise feature, continuing a quiet tradition in Larry’s discography—Dej Loaf on “Say Less,” Syd on “For Tonight,” and now Toliver on one of the album’s most unexpected turns. These aren’t just smart choices—they’re reflective of an artist who understands the importance of balancing his core with a few curveballs. And most of the guests don’t stick around for long. Many of the verses clock in short of a full 16, a detail that works in the album’s favor. It leaves you wanting more without ever crowding the space.

“Still Game Related” and the Return of a Classic Trio

For longtime fans, “Still Game Related” is a subtle nod to the past and proof that Larry doesn’t forget the roots. Teaming up again with Payroll Giovanni and HBK, the track nods to their 2020 collab project Game Related, which still hits today. That record was full of slaps, and hearing this crew back together—with Cardo once again behind the boards—feels like a reunion of equals. Nobody’s trying to outshine the other; the synergy is natural.

There’s a quiet confidence in how Larry handles these kinds of records. He lets the music breathe. He knows how to let the beat carry a hook, how to slide a line in just when it needs to land. That restraint is part of what makes him compelling—it’s not flashy, but it’s exact.

Trap Larry Shows Face on “Organic Free Range Chicken”

“Organic Free Range Chicken” is a deep cut that will hit differently for fans who’ve been tapped in since the Trap Larry run between 2015 and 2018. The title is pure June—tongue-in-cheek health flex with an edge—but the sound nods back to a more raw version of Larry’s catalog. It's not aggressive, but there’s a grit to the flow, a reminder that before the cold-pressed juices and sprinter vans, Larry was hustling like everyone else.

It’s these kinds of callbacks that make Until Night Comes feel layered. If you’re new, you can press play and catch a vibe. If you’ve been riding with Larry for a while, there are Easter eggs and echoes of past eras all throughout.

No Skips, Just Play

There’s a tendency in music reviews to pick favorites, highlight standout tracks, rank and compare. But with Until Night Comes, it’s almost beside the point. This is one of those rare albums that doesn’t need you to skip around. You just let it play. The sequencing flows. The transitions are clean. It’s not designed for shuffle—it’s built for a full ride, preferably with windows down and nowhere urgent to be.

Cardo deserves credit here, too. As a producer, he continues to stretch without abandoning the sound that made his name. There’s a patience to the beats. A level of comfort between him and Larry that only comes from years of working together. It’s the same magic they tapped into on last year’s The Night Shift, but here it feels more expansive. Fitting, given the title—this is the prelude, the stretch before the spotlight.

Consistency Counts: Larry’s Unmissable Run

If we’re going to talk about consistency in rap, we have to start putting Larry June in the same breath as artists like Boldy James. Since Out the Trunk cracked wide open, Larry hasn’t missed. Whether it’s a solo effort or a collab tape, each release feels like a meaningful step—not a throwaway. Until Night Comes is no different. In fact, it might be the strongest offering yet from the June-Cardo catalog.

And it’s not just the music. Larry has cultivated a lifestyle brand out of his sound. From tour stops to limited drops to wellness-minded merch, he’s figured out how to package presence into product. With SoCal dates on the horizon, the momentum feels real—and well-earned.