Killer Mike "R.A.P. Music" (2012)

Southern rapper Killer Mike's sixth record "Rap Music" couldn't be more to the point. A title fitting for a record thats direct with solid raps and no-nonsense beats. Mike's twelve years of experience since his debut with Outkast, shines bright as he dominates each track with imaginative, commanding flows keeping the listener engaged with his lyrics, which get political in the later half of the record. Over the twelve tracks theres not a moment of filler on an album that seems to get progressively better with each track. Its quite an unusual way for a record to play through, but this one genuinely gets stronger and stronger until the title track sees the record out as Mike muses on all the influences that makes up his music.

One of the first things I picked up on was the production. The beats have that characteristic similar to "Run The Jewels", I was not surprised to find E-LP handled production of every track on this record. Its no surprise the two have continued to work together as we hear a very successful formula at work for the first time. E-LPs production captures a raw Hip Hop appeal for tight beats and grooving baselines, but his unusual pallet of buzz-saw instruments and distorted, pitch shifted samples create a style approachable but able to retain its own distinction. E-LP brings a lot of flavor to his beats with subtle tweaks and big shifts in the beats to break the sometimes stale nature of looped instrumentals.

Killer Mike is on fire this record, his flow is fast, impassioned and aggressive. The tone, delivery and pronunciation, crisp and clear. With so much to express theres no respite from his thoughts, rapped with creative word play and a fair amount of variety, from politically charged tracks to humorous story telling on "Jojos Chillin". I especially enjoyed the use of low pitch shifted rapping on "Ghetto Gospel" & "Butane", something I've desired to hear more of since Tupac's "Strictly 4 My Niggaz", E-LP and Mike using this sound effect to create some ghostly raps. Terrific record, solid through out but really comes into its prime with the track "Regan" depicting the horrid consequences of Ronald Regan's presidency. The Outkast references and "break" samples were also a nice touch considering my recent exploration of their music, very excited for the future of E-LP and Mike with RTJ3 and RAP Music 2 on the way.

Favorite Tracks: Southern Fried, Regan, Don't Die, Ghetto Gospel, Willie Burke Sherwood, R.A.P. Music

Rating: 8/10

Sithu Aye "Pulse" (2014)

Sithu Aye, the one man band from Burma, is a Djent guitarist who I've recently discovered through their second full length "Invent The Universe", a bright and uplifting album of racing melodic leads and crunchy Djent riffage. "Pulse" is the latest in a string of EPs released in the years since that sounds and feels like it could of been on the same record. One of my hopes for this artist was to hear them progress away from the comfort zone of a sound thats being well played out, and to carve their own niche. That being said Sithu Aye does do a fantastic job creating energetic, positive Djent Metal, but for all its enjoyment there was only a single moment here that grabbed me as the rest often faded out of focus, in a pleasant way, enjoyable but failing to command my attention.

The record starts with two guest musicians, Pilini on the first and Aaron Marshall on the second "Messenger" which pricked my ears up from the mid section as the pair blazed into colorful solos that surfed the wave over some grooving chugging rhythm guitar. Beyond the singular moment I felt a lack of distinction when it came to making these songs into something special. The tight Djent riffs, bright blazing guitar leads, reverb soaked acoustics and occasion electronic glitches sound gorgeous in each moment but as the songs stretch on they circle around the same ideas established in "Invent The Universe" and fail to break their own mold and provide anything unexpected or challenging. Since this style is my cup of tea I can't have any complaints when it comes to a good listening experience, but the lack of refreshment will have me choosing other records.

Favorite Songs: Messenger, Pulse Part II

Rating: 5/10

Faces Of Eve "The Story So Far" (2015)

"The Story So Far" is an enjoyable debut EP from UK based "Faces of Eve" who appear to be a duo, however a lack of information is available on this group. The record opens up with lush, glorious reverb soaked acoustic guitar tune that glistens melodically in its ambiance. We are first introduced to the vocals, which will remain a polarizing aesthetic throughout the record. Light, soft and soulful they cruise effortlessly through the upper voice ranges with an immaculate delivery. A chunky Djent guitar creeps in from the background and leads the song to its conclusive moment as a bold, colossal grove drops in with the drums. It quickly impressions a feeling between Metalcore, Djent and Groove that would be solidified with the rest of the record.

"Feed" and the rest of the tracks on the EP follow this style with a relative sense of comfort and familiarity, with songs that play out commonplace Metal riffs with a fair amount of flexibility to throw some interesting ideas in on occasion. The vocals serve as the edge to define their sound, rising above the contrasting, crunchy heavies and layering a soft melodic soul above the grooves. At first its a harsh contrast, but with each listen it grows and grows, and in some moments sounds exceptional as the vocal range soars high on "Crime Of Passion" with the guitars ringing out some moody chords underneath. Theres a lot more chemistry in these moments, but overall its an enjoyable and unusual approach to Metal vocals that comes as a breath of fresh air.

Production wise the record sounds strong, it can get a little clustered in the low end with the Djents and slamming base which has a really chunky tone that sounds fantastic in the rare moments the guitars drop out. Drum machines are so commonplace with Djent ill assume they are used here, and they sound good throughout, all though their are some very harsh, mechanical rolls and fills on "Temporal Rotunda" which are a dead giveaway. Very enjoyable EP that shows great promise for a band who I think are yet to find the best of their chemistry.

Favorite Songs: For My Fallen Heros, One Man Show, Dwellers

Rating: 5/10

Death Grips "Jenny Death" (2015)

"Jenny Death" is the second half of double album "The Powers That B" and may just be the last thing Death Grips ever release, but maybe not if you have followed the bands unpredictable behavior over the years. From no-shows to break up announcements via a note scribbled on a napkin, they have made a reputation for themselves, one that will never overshadow the music which speaks in deafening volumes, given the hard hitting and abrasive sound the trio create. Death Grips hail from Sacramento, California. Consisting of MC Ride on vocals, Zach Hill frenetically pounding his drum kit and Andy Morin handling the electronics and production. Their 2012 release "The Money Store" is one I have been meaning to write up on for some time, its served as one of the most impacting and ear opening records I'd ever heard. It deserves its own article but ill be blunt, Death Grips are the most exciting band I can think of these days.

My excitement for Jenny Death was somewhat muted, I found myself disappointed with the first half "Niggas On The Moon" which was a bare and stripped down record I had little connection with. Jenny is quite the opposite, a dense cluster of thick tracks rich with textural noise, felt through additional guest musicians performing guitars and synthesizers and typically unusual approaches to delivering melodies and grooves as Death Grips so often do. For the most part Jenny is reminiscent of the debut "Ex-Military" sound, with Ride's performances having a similar intensity and merciless frenetic quality as his shouts are interwoven with glitched out vocal samples, cuts and effects. The return of featured guitars also strengthens this similar feeling. "Pss Pss" and "The Powers That B" have a "No Love Deep Web" vibe with more electronic eccentrics oriented sound and deep bass. Beside the familiarities, some new and expansive ideas emerge with "Inanimate Sensation" build a song out of an ugly accelerating automobile impersonation, finding a hook in the most un-melodic of pitch shifts. "Why A Bitch Gotta Lie" delivers a massive party riff wrapped in growing layers of distortion and jittery paranoid electronics and Ride's howling screams phasing in and out of the background before busting in with ridiculous robotized effects that amount to an assault of wild exciting noise with Zach smashing on his symbols with unrestrained force.

These songs have textural sounds, dizzying noise abuse, dense electronics and sampling that arrive in a twisted package as track after track questions your rhythmic and melodic sensibilities, creating hooks from off kilt timings and smothering the songs with compressed layers of sound that aren't afraid of colliding and peaking, using distortion to effect, alongside Zachs monstrous drumming that often amplifies the intensity in many of these songs. In front of the instrumentation Ride's performances and lyrics tie in concepts and attitude that without would leave a gaping hole. The track "On Gp" bringing one of his best, and darkest moments. Individually, each song brings forth a lot of character and identity, a concept of its own, something I would identify with almost everything on their first three records. Its a refreshing return to form that sounds lively and exciting, showing the group still have relevant musical ideas and an energy to deliver them authentically.

Favorite Tracks: Inanimate Sensation, Why A Bitch Gotta Lie, Centuries Of Damn, On Gp

Rating: 5/10

Kendrick Lamar "To Pimp A Butterfly" (2015)

To Pimp A Butterfly has undoubtedly been the most interesting record I've heard in a long time. I've pondered on its meaning and message, loved its courageous instrumentation and felt frustrated with its pacing, despite the beautiful artistic construct. Its being raved about universally, hailed as potentially being the album of the decade, and an instant classic. I've given myself much time to consume and digest the record, and for all I love about it I'm not quite on the same level with it. I've been anticipating this one since discovering Kendrick's 2012 classic "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City", a stunning Hip Hop record, and in the three years since hes been hard at work on his third record, a undeniably strong one that has certainly not disappointed.

Kendricks expressions and vision is unrestrained on an unconventional and free flowing approach to the album experience, breaking down the conventional Hip Hop format and uniting a concept through a recited poem that features on many tracks, unfolding as with each recitation. The lucid nature of the record takes a step back from itself and reinvents the instrumentation with a closer connection to Funk, Soul, Jazz and even Disco, music thats had an undeniable influence on Hip Hop sound and culture. These songs let the power of the grooves, melodies and Kendrick's expression flow and evolve from track to track thats filled with interludes, poetry and transitions between the tracks that focus on the expression thats not all about raps. Spoken word and poetry reciting, Kendrick gets emotionally raw with his voice on "U" and other numbers that have classy instruments keeping the dramatic tone moving.

The expression is a point I've touched on a few times, and obviously its a racially, emotional charged concept that reflects these times where the racial inequality and police brutality is boiling in Ferguson Missouri. Its the specifics that are illusive, the indirect, poetic language thats powerful, and yet unclear. Kendrick reflects on many historic and cultural figures in black history in vague references that are tied to emotional stress and guilt, delivered with impacting force for thought. The most mysterious of which, "Loving you is complicated" where he ponders on a figure of reach who money made complacent and misused his power and influence. The song "Mortal Man" concludes the poem recital for the last time, leading into a conversation with Tupac who I believe Kendrick is drawing parallels with at a time where racial tensions are hot and he is a racially aware voice in Hip Hop similar to Tupac. Lines like the "Thought money wouldn't change you, made you more complacent" makes me think of Tupac's rise and fall from being the voice of the "young black male" to parading the bling bling image on MTV with gold chains, hot tubs and models. There are many racialy charged lines to ponder the meaning, "My heart is as black as an aryan", and most of "The blacker the berry". Although the specifics may feel blurry, its undoubted that Kendrick is fueled with anger and passion for his people.

When the end of "Mortal Man" rolls around, Kendrick recites a second poem, describing his world. A beautiful metaphor using the caterpillar and the butterfly to express the relation between artists like himself who escape the ghettos to be exploited for it. "To Pimp A Butterfly" comes together in this moment but still leaves a lot to think on as Tupac speaks no more, leaving Kendrick without an answer to his question, that this record might simply be.

The instrumentation and production is sublime, as mentioned before it has a lucid quality and focus on organic chemistry, breaking the sampling and drum machines with a live band feel that let songs grow, shrink, twist and turn with a freedom that looped instrumentation can't achieve without immense construction. A wide array of styles and instruments move in and out of focus and my favorite element, the drumming, is slightly subdued, laying down solid but subtler grooves that are gentle and powerful, bringing a lot of energy without any boombastic presence, its a classy touch and ones that at no time uses any cheap thrills or catchy hooks, this is all substance and style.

Theres a lot to love here, a dense album musically and conceptually which grows fonder with each listen, but my one gripe are the interludes, despite being expressive and theatric and an essential part of the record, they come at a pace that continually breaks up the songs and stagnates the flow somewhat. Theres more I could talk about, but by now id be nit picking specifics, where the album as a whole speaks volumes. I can see exactly why its being hailed a classic, but on a personal level it may take me a bit more time to feel it that way.

Favorite Songs: Institutionalized, These Walls, Alright, How Much A Dollar Cost, The Blacker The Berry, Mortal Man

Rating: 9/10

Say Lou Lou "Lucid Dreaming" (2015)

Australian duo Say Lou Lou caught my attention with a dreamy pop number "Everything We Touch" in the summer last year and have had me keeping an ear out for a full length to drop, as well as returning to the song often which is about as dream pop as it gets with a light dance rhythm, moderate progression and catchy lyrics, but the hook was strong and the airy, lush instrumentation fused with their voices, the aesthetic had me hooked. These two twin sisters have music in the family, their farther being Steven Kilbey of Australian rockers "The Church", and this, their debut comes after a string of singles dating back to 2012. Its taken a while for this one to come together.

Like the majority of pop records I've listened to, Lucid Dreaming blows its load with the first three tracks, putting the albums catchiest numbers right at the beginning, and leaving the album experience to drift into the darkness with thirty minutes of lack luster music. The opening two tracks have it down with rich, absorbing strings and synths that build fantastic atmosphere for the duos gentle voices to glide through and create a dazzlingly lush and dreamy energy, brought home with lyrics to inspire some imagination "all that glitter, all that foreign gold". "Games For Girls" switches lanes with a chirpy dance number that brings tight rhythmic groove and a playful theme, while retaining a little of their dreamy synths in places. Its simplistic and enjoyable, but after this point the album quickly turns stale.

"Julian" slows the pace down with a temperate mood, but its the lyrics on this track and many past it that fail to inspire, with direct and unimaginative use of language the spell is broken and the albums slowing of pace amplifies a lack of energy and spark the opening numbers had. One line in particular stuck out "Take another sip from you coffee cup, I'm looking at your lips as you're drinking up", it just didn't do anything for me, and despite some moderate vocal inflections and hooks it just didn't pick back up the energy or pace until the final track "Skylights".

There's not much to complain about aesthetically, the album has a great pallet of absorbing airy synths that border ethereal at times. They compliment the duo vocals and the rest of the instrumentation is accommodating, but nothing here that will surprise or astound, its relatively tame and accessible. The album was a big disappointment considering the contrast in quality between four good tracks and the rest. They definitely have a spark, but for the most of this record its muted.

Favorite Tracks: Everything We Touch, Glitter, Games For Girls, Skylights

Rating: 3/10

Outkast "Aquemini" (1998)

Southern Hip Hop duo Outkast are a pair of musicians I'm growing an immense amount of admiration and respect for. I've been impressed with their intelligent approach to Hip Hop, showing strength and maturity with cerebral introspections and social commentaries, combined with charactered production that distinctively sets them aside from other acts. On this record "Aquemini", their third, the duo seem completely in sync with one another. Whether its lyrically, instrumentally, or conceptually, the two deliver a riveting and eloquent experience for the listener on a record thats filled to the brim with fine instrumentals, enticing rapping and an array of cultural interludes that tie the songs together. Good raps and beats is always the formula, but here the two transcend the genre with expressions and themes that create an air of expectational quality reflected in the album covers blaxploitation rendition of the two.

Aquemini is a rich, fluid listen thats stimulating from start to finish. Despite this, its surprising diverse in production, with different themes accompanying the stylish, charactered beats Outkast have put their mark on. "Slump", "West Savannah" & "Spottieottiedopaliscious" feel like throw backs to "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik", a fair few numbers have the spacious and darker, paranoid instrumentation of "ATLiens" and with songs like "Rosa Parks", "Synthesizer" and "Chonkyfire" the duo break the mold with supreme instrumentals that make use of live instruments like the harmonica, giving them a vibrant edge over the traditional sampling technique. The array of guest musicians contribute purposeful sounds that expand their pallet with guitars, pianos and marching band horns, creating a rich and lasting experience when combined with the sharp and crisp drum machines.

Beyond the illuminating instrumentals the duo deliver solid raps and killer hooks on a thought felt record where every word feels relevant. The themes expand on ATLiens socially conscious commentaries with the heart felt "Da Art Of Storytellin", themes of technological paranoia on "Synthesizer" and the pairs duality on the title track. Most exciting is the delivery which isn't afraid to expand with sung hooks and gospel vocals, in general breaking the monotony with catchy ideas of which all seem to work without fail. It can be felt in the vast array of guest musicians who add a layer and depth to many songs with vocal hooks working in the background behind the raps and the audacity to enhance the flow with layered lines and powerful, yet subtle reverb effects, empowering their rapping voices. I have nothing but praise for this album. Never a dull moment or skipped track, I thoroughly enjoy it in its seventy four minute entirety and can't praise it enough. Although relatively new to me, I can't help but feel I'll call it a classic with time.

Favorite Songs: Rosa Parks, Synthesizer, Slump, Mamacita, Spottieottiedopaliscious, Liberation, Chonkyfire
Rating: 9/10

Dødheimsgard "A Umbra Omega" (2015)

I was flooded by a wave of excitement when the news of this record's release made its way to me. Its been 16 years since the band dropped "666 International" and with the disappointment of 2007's "Supervillain Outcast" I should of been cautious, but alas the title and album cover sparked my imagination with hopes of a glorious return to form. On arrival this one went straight to the top of my playlist, but quickly I groaned as it became clear this wasn't going to be my cup of tea.

The aesthetic of the record isn't exactly Black Metal, churning blast beats and droning distorted guitars aside, its a muted, muddy and warm production that dampens the aggression and paves the way for its more flamboyant qualities. On paper it sounds like something id love, long passages of unraveling music that transitions from aggression and evolves through dark, eerie compositions, giving way for a variety of lighter instrumental ideas and intensities that across the five lengthy tracks explore many moods. The instrumentals alone are well performed, indulgent numbers that lack a spark or flair to truly define them. But crashing into the fragile like a knife through butter is Aldrahn wailing theatrics, his tone and delivery dispel the atmospherics and cut the tension. His loose, emotional performances scrape and pull on the chords of pain as his screams, shouts and crys punish the listener with their intensity. I appreciate the performance art in tracks like "Architect Of Darkness", where Aldrahns despairing screams paint the pain vividly, but their was something deathly off between the two as his vocals continually dispelled any magic the song was building.

And the music has magic, there is clearly something at work in these instrumentals when they break from the metallic and into the acoustic, ethereal reverb lead passages, there are a range of musical styles contributing to the unnerving and eerie atmospheres, including the use of additional instruments like ghostly pianos and haunting flutes. It could all amount to something beautiful, but often fell flat, undoubtedly helped along by  Aldrahn and Victonik's theatrics. I will continual to listen in the hope of familiarity overcoming the soreness, but initially its been a lacking listen, at least "brightened" in one sense of the word, by its richer acoustic moments.

Rating: 4/10

Guru "Jazzmatazz II The New Reality" (1995)

And we are back with the second installment of the legendary Guru's solo career records, "Jazzmatazz". This second record takes of where the last one left, giving us another helping of socially conscious Hip Hop fused with a current of Jazz that feels natural and organic. Its a chilled out record that doesn't try to push any new boundaries, but create a collection of enjoyable tracks within the parameters of the two music styles joining together. It has the same strengths and weakness as its predecessor, which wasn't much surprise, but did pull out some better numbers without changing the formula.

Just like before the production builds from a traditional format of samples and drum loops with a pallet of jazzy sounds and instruments that include guest musicians who contribute inconsistently as some numbers rely on samples, and others on live musicians, ie "Respect The Architect" which has pianist Ramsey Lewis gently painting the entire track with feel good keys, adding a steady variety over the repetitive beats. The inconsistency between ideas probably contributes to a varietal, richer listen in a record that has a fair few distinctive beats, but mostly its the instrumentals that take the light, rather then the guest musicians who include Brit Jamiroquai and Reggae singer Ini Kamoze.

With a fair collection of strong instrumentals Guru's presence is calming and laid back, which is fine but often his rhymes and presence on the track drift into the background as the messages and lyrics he convey are delivered in his typically one dimensional flow. Guru's tone and flow is steady but lacks an excitement or spark that leaves much of the lyrics out of mind. Theres plenty of positive messages and social commentary, but none of it packs a punch or a thought to ponder, and although the message is a good one, its delivery is tame. Overall its a collection of warm jazzy beats and mediocre rapping thats exemplified on "Count Your Blessings", where Guru tells his story of developing a positive outlook, expressed without any resolve or understanding that can be gravitated towards. I'm not hating on Guru, I like his style and hearing him flow, but here its an aesthetic enjoyment, more so than being at the mercy of his words.

Favorite Songs: Living In This World, Looking Through The Darkness, For You, Nobody Knows, Respect The Architect, Young Ladies, The Traveler, Choice Of Weapons

Rating: 5/10

First Aid Kit "America" (2015)

Considering their album "Stay Gold" was my favorite record of 2014 its no surprise I got excited for more with the announcement of this short EP back in January. I set myself up for disappointment with this 4 track release which offered just one new song along side a humbling cover and two alternate takes from the full length. Extended plays are a two edged sword, either a shorter concept or a collection of outtakes, in this case in was the latter.

The opening track is a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's classic "America", a gracious cover of which Klara's comforting voice elevates the originals quieter moments in a honorable cover that expands on the original, yet doesn't have the same charm, as you could expect most covers to do so. The next two are alternate takes with weaker backing tracks that don't sound or feel as fleshed out as the album versions and fail to offer much more other than a softer alternative to the powerful songs. The new song, Brother, is a humble poem of family and staying close that has the two singing over very gentle guitar and soft keys before climaxing with some beautifully sung Swedish lyrics, a nice touch to hear them sing in their native tongue.

Overall its a small collection of b-sides that wouldn't amount to much in comparison of a full length, but the cover and new track do have the First Aid Kit charm and will be returned to time and time again.

Favorite Song: Brother

Rating: 3/10

Carnage "Dark Recollections" (1990)

In the mood for some oldskool Death Metal I scoured the Internet for something new and discovered this cult record hailed as a "forgotten classic". Carnage are a small unheard of band from Växjö Sweden who, in their short lived career, released this one full length album on the legendary Earache records. Judging from their band photo the group were young and very much into the trending Death Metal scene which was to peak in this era with some fine records of which the tone and style is comparable to this. The group was founded by Michael Amott of Carcass, who after dissolving Carnage would go on to form the highly successful Arch Enemy.

"Dark Recollections" is a dark and dingy record. With low tonal guitar sounds in their infancy, the dated mixing becomes apparent as serious volume is required to hear the depth of whats going on. With the decibels raised the record holds up well considering the era and size of the band, its an impressive mix despite their being a nonexistent span of sound in the mid to mid-low range on the EQ. The low guitars have ripped, crunchy texture that masks the bass with its low end sound, the drum kit is well represented in the mix and despite not having a big sounds it does well to bring some brutality into the fold. The vocals are raw, gruff shouts and screams that are mixed above the rest of the instrumentation, with a flash of reverb they have a now "classic" vibe about them, as much retrospection will do.

The guitar riffage is the main focus and has a Post-Thrash feel in its faster moments, with slower grooves and guitar techniques that are distinguished by lead breaks that follow atonal, chromatic principles, giving the record its "death" feel beside the aesthetic. Theirs plenty of good riffs, often highlighted by the drumming which breaks up the flow, crashing in with symbols alongside the crushing guitar chords to transition between riffs. It remains on the lighter side with kick to snare tempos that occasionally dive into a blast.

The records given some break out moments by lead guitar solos that are often short in nature, sounding fantastic with a vibrant tone, but technically immature, a few hammer-ons and harmonics thats given its spark by tone and excessive reverb. There's one moment in "Torn Apart" where a dark synth is used before a lead solo, its a nice injection of mood that unfortunately is only featured on this one track. Although a couple of other bands experimented with Death Metal and synth (Nocturnus), it sounds like it could of worked for them too. Great record with a good aesthetic and musicianship, often reminding me of Entombed's "Clandestine". Good memories.

Favorite Tracks: Torn Apart, Gentle Exhuming, Outro

Rating: 7/10