But I think I liked the first one so much that I assumed that Vol. 2 would be Thought flowing over harder, edgier beats.

The production is good on Salaam's album. Like others have said, the technical aspects on Vol. 2 are probably better than the first.

But I'm having a hard time figuring out if the songs don't hit or if my expectations for a harder album are clouding my experience.

I might have to just shelve this album for some time until my initial misinterpretation of the album fades.