This marks the third studio LP from Detroit, Michigan emcee Courtney Bell. Following his 2018 full-length debut 10 Commandments and the subsequent mixtape Poverty Stricken, Bell found himself under the mentorship of the legendary Royce da 5’9”. His 2024 sophomore effort, Microdose, released under MNRK Music Group, offered a poignant look at his journey through mental health struggles. Now, as May draws to a close, Bell returns with It Gets Greater Later.

The album opens with “Wounded Healer (Book of Eli),” a soulfully drumless introduction that spans two and a half minutes, setting a tone of spiritual introspection as Bell discusses transforming his verses into gospel. The track “Stumble” follows, serving as a humble reminder of human fallibility, while “He Don’t Know” shifts into a pop-rap aesthetic, offering advice to a woman caught in a one-sided relationship. This transitions into “Everyday,” a track detailing the grind of daily survival.

Mid-album, “Virgil” showcases Bell flowing over a classic, jazzy Detroit soundscape, asserting his commitment to his path. “Guard My Temple” utilizes a blend of horns and bells to address his frustration with imitators. The project continues with “ISO,” which leans into trap instrumentation, before featuring Benny the Butcher on “Bang,” a track that revisits a highlight from his previous project.

The latter half of the album maintains its soulful core. “Problems” addresses the universal nature of personal struggle, while “Costly,” featuring Nick Grant, pairs a boom-bap beat with lyrical reflections on shared experiences. The project concludes with “Hope You Understand,” a confession of finding faith during a period of near-collapse, and “Thank You,” a final meditation on grief.

Two years removed from his MNRK debut, Courtney Bell has crafted a project centered on the concept of delayed gratification. It Gets Greater Later suggests that faith should always supersede timing. With production that traverses boom-bap, jazz-rap, and various iterations of trap, the album serves as a testament to the idea that rewards are often hidden until the soul is prepared to carry them.

Score: 7/10