As her output grew from early mixtapes to chart-topping singles, Houston rap sensation Megan Thee Stallion created a winning formula of straight-ahead, no-nonsense beats and rhymes so heavy on sex, power, and confidence that she seemed superhuman. By the arrival of debut studio album Good News, Megan had become one of the more successful mainstream rappers of her era, already cracking the charts with various projects and even appearing on multiple number one singles. Rather than coast on her established success, Good News finds the rapper firing off at full power, decimating her haters, and delivering track after track of sex-positive, voraciously vulgar, yet stunningly clever rhyme skills. Part of Megan's viral appeal lies in the old-school character of some of her most powerful songs. The spare 808 beat and raw, loud flows of "Girls in the Hood" have the same direct impact of the 1987 Eazy E song it samples. The slithering and infectious "Body" is similar, with little to the instrumental but huge drums, distant samples of sexualized moans, and Megan's singsong hook and ruthless rhymes high in the mix. "Freaky Girls" incorporates G-funk synthesizers and guest vocals from SZA, but still keeps Megan's raw rhymes and charismatic personality in focus at all times. Simplicity is key to many of the 17 tracks that make up Good News, and the best of them make plenty of room for Megan to shine without distraction from cluttered arrangements. All the same, her combination of heart-stopping lewdness and fight-starting bravado is hard to miss on any track. Good News has a host of larger-than-life guest stars -- Beyonce stops by on "Savage Remix," DaBaby kicks off "Cry Baby," and Lil Durk, Big Sean, Popcaan, and others all make appearances -- but Megan is the star attraction on every song. While Megan Thee Stallion presented herself as a force to be reckoned with from her earliest material, Good News finds her triple-X-rated sex rhymes, imposing charm, and ability to make it all appear effortless reaching new levels. ~ Fred Thomas