Set the Tone (Guns & Roses), released in May 2024, marks Ghostface Killah’s triumphant return after a five-year break. It’s a 19-track opus split into two halves— “Guns” and “Roses”—that juxtapose gritty street energy with a romantic, suave side. He brings in a star-studded lineup featuring Nas, Nas, Method Man, Raekwon, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, and others, merging old-school swagger with polished production.

The first half fires off with aggressive momentum—“6 Minutes” (with Jim Jones, Sheek Louch, HARL3Y) and “Pair of Hammers” (feat. Method Man) hit hard with that classic Wu-Tang bite, followed by the soulful, sharp “Scar Tissue” with Nas. But as things move into the “Roses” section, the mood shifts. Smooth, R&B-leaning tracks like “Plan B” and “Touch You” offer emotional depth but some fans and reviewers feel they disrupt the album’s overall flow.

It’s bold move for Ghostface to branch beyond his usual narrative terrain, and while some have embraced the maturity and breadth, others say the payoff is mixed. Many agree the album’s highs outweigh its missteps—tracks like “Skate Odyssey” and “No Face” (with Kanye West) provide powerful moments of lyrical finesse and nostalgic energy. In short, Set the Tone serves both as a reminder of Ghostface’s enduring street-rap prowess and a daring foray into new emotional territory.