Ameerlyn is a duo consisting of Houston, Texas emcee Ameer Vann as well as Ghanan-American recording artist Merlyn Wood, both of whom you may remember as original members of the now defunct BROCKHAMPTON collective with Ameer being featured on the cover of their highly acclaimed SATURATION trilogy before being kicked out in 2018 due to sexual misconduct allegations & Merlyn being known for his Ol’ Dirty Bastard-like aura during his time in the best boy band since 1 Direction. Now it’s almost been a year since BROCKHAMPTON’s disbandment but only a week until Kevin Abstract puts out his 5th solo effort Blanket, I didn’t expect Blacksmith Recordings to sign Ameerlyn for their debut EP.
“Swisher” is an atmospherically bouncy opener to the EP with both of them delivering some energetically hardcore bars in their own characteristic manners whereas “Smog Check” goes for a cheery boom bap flare instrumentally talking about the lives they’ve made off this music shit. “On Everything” has a vibrant trap tone so both of them can ball like the playoffs just before “Okay” jumps on top of hi-hats humorously dropping more braggadocio.
Meanwhile, “Hit” goes for a moodier trap sound to get in their romance bags leading into the quickly produced “Freaks” talking about the weirdos coming out once the sun goes down. “Bling Bling” goes for an alien-esque sound to the beat continuing to boast, but then “Love’s a Scandal” shoots for a groovier aesthetic comparing love to some sort of wrongdoing.
The penultimate track “Song 2” draws near the end of Ameerlyn’s first EP together incorporates this mellow ass guitar lead getting on the more introspective side of things lyrically (especially Ameer) & as for the closer, “Ride” appropriately pays homage their Houston roots chopped & screwed style considering that BROCKHAMPTON originated in San Marcos.
As surprised as I was like other BROCKHAMPTON fans to hear Ameerlyn reuniting considering the allegations against Ameer & the highlight “DEARLY DEPARTED” off GINGER, I also had my curiosity about Slime in the Ice Machine & I wound up enjoying it as a fun little subgroup project. Merlyn & Ameer still match each other’s intensity as they always have been able to do so in the past with decent production also.
Score: 3.5/5
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