American rapper and singer Caleb Zackery, or stage name Don Toliver, released an alternative hip-hop and atmospheric R&B fifth studio album, “OCTANE,” on Jan. 30.
Throughout the album, Toliver focuses on a hazy world of love, seduction, fast living and car culture. Compared with the dark, dramatic and gritty vibe of “HARDSTONE PSYCHO” (2024), which leaned into biker-gang imagery and rock-influenced production, I felt “OCTANE” returned to a smoother and more melodic side of Toliver’s signature style from “Heaven or Hell” (2020). With 18 tracks that emphasize late-night obsession, mood and emotional vulnerability, “OCTANE” features artists such as Yeat, Rema, Teezo Touchdown, SahBabii and Travis Scott.
Lyrics such as “On the highway and I’m thinkin’ that I love her” from the opening track, “E85,” perfectly capture Toliver’s struggle between emotional attachment and living life in the present. At the same time, the song’s frantic synths and dreamy background vocals mirror the feeling of being caught between excitement and uncertainty. The track also sampled Malcolm Todd’s “Chest Pain (I Love),” which helped shape its emotional melody and gave the song a nostalgic tone. Another track that stood out to me was the third track, “Rendezvous (feat. Yeat),” where the contrast in autotune styles is especially effective. Yeat’s sharp, robotic delivery gives the song a futuristic edge, while Toliver glides over the beat with smoother, more expressive control. With his use of autotune, Toliver’s vocals feel naturally tied to themes of love and affection, making it sound as if he is speaking directly to his significant other.
However, not every track shared the same introspective depth or memorability as “E85” and “Rendezvous.” Songs like “Long Way to Calabasas” and “TMU” felt overly generic, with extremely basic production and predictable romance-focused lyrics that could honestly fit almost any love song. Instead of expanding on the album’s themes of seduction and self-reflection, these tracks relied on familiar hooks and safe melodies. As a result, the lower half of the album began to blend together, causing the overall impact to feel underwhelming at times.
Ultimately, I would rate “OCTANE” a 4.5/5. The collaborations helped keep the album dynamic while still allowing Toliver to remain the primary focus. More specifically, each feature complemented his style rather than overpowering it. I also enjoyed the album’s overall production, especially with Toliver’s creative sampling and layered instrumentals. Whether you are a devoted Don Toliver fan or a casual listener, this album offers several tracks that make perfect additions to any late-night drive playlist.
