Ruby da Cherry – “Coping Strategies to Combat the Algorithm” review

New Orleans, Louisiana emcee/producer Ruby da Cherry back with his 3rd EP. Blowing up as 1/2 of the $uicideboy$ alongside his cousin $crim, they’ve built up an impressively extensive discography over the last decade & even have their own Virgin Music imprint G*59 Record$ with an ever-growing roster of artists.Tragic Love Songs to Study to & Existential Hymns for the Average Sigma were both enjoyably carefree punk EPs from Ruby, continuing towards that direction Coping Strategies to Combat the Algorithm.

After the “¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (Shrug 3)” intro, the first song “End of Summer 2005 (Started Off as a Tropical Depression)” talks about how life sucks & riding it out until his last day whereas “VCR Eject Button (It’s Time to Grow the Fuck Up)” after the “where y’at duckboy? [6]” interlude admits to feeling he’s been in Hell for years. “Moldy Memories (Peer Pressure Turned Me Into a Diamond)” after the “where y’at duckboy? [7]” interlude was great easycore single with additional influences of melodic hardcore, emo-pop & skate punk fighting until the war’s over leading into “Kino Der Toten” after the “where y’at duckboy? [8]” interlude ends by choking on his thoughts.

Almost a year & a half since Existential Hymns for the Average Sigma came out already, I can’t be mad at Ruby for putting out Coping Strategies to Combat the Algorithm simultaneously alongside $crim’s 4th album Via Crucis that also dropped today & only days before Duckboy’s 37th birthday. And while I personally find myself enjoying Via Crucis more, I still respect Ruby for throwing it back to his Vapor-Rats days. This one has a prominent easycore vibe with melodic hardcore, emo-pop & skate punk undertones in as opposed to the heavy skate & pop punk vibes of the last EP.

Score: 3.5/5

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$crim – “Via Crucis” review

This is the 4th studio LP from New Orleans rapper, producer & deejay $crim of the $uicideboy$. The first of the boy$ to branch out on his own by dropping the solo debut A Man Rose to the Dead during the COVID-19 pandemic to mixed to negative reception including from myself. Lonely Boy was a solid introduction to $crim’s alter-ego even though you can tell it was inspired by Destroy Lonely’s debut album If Looks Could Kill & the sequel Lonely Boy 2 was more of a thank you, returning after over a year for Via Crucis.

“Destination: Lost” sets it off by talking about his evil ways over a self-produced instrumental that starts off drumless up until the 2nd half of it whereas “Tale of the Missing Man” cautions everyone to not waste the days they have left going another round for the man who ain’t coming back. “Whiskey 4 the Holy Ghost” hazily advises to never give up on what your dreams are & continuing to fight just before “Real Tree Playas Anthem” shows off exactly how fly he is.

Moving on from there, “Axeman of New Orleans” embrace is a bit of a Memphis vibe to the beat representing the northside of New Orleans leading into the grim standout “Reborn” co-produced with G*59 Record$ in-house producer Dynox talking about him finding God after his 2019 detox. “Warped Lives of Blameless Children” gets in his emo rap bag expressing his desire to feel somewhat decently, but then the rage-inducing “Psych Ward” talks about coming from the dirt.

“#lonelycore” shows an emo influence once again refusing to believe his therapist after being told that he’s been healing & crying in secret while “Nightmare on the Northside 3” is a 2-parter continuing the trilogy that began on A Man Rose to the Dead & Lonely Boy respectively. “Guns N’ Roses” heads for more of a bombastic approach admitting his pill addiction has made him fear less while “Father, Hold Me” asks where the memories go when we all die.

The lead single “Methamphetamine Blues” samples Pinegrove suggesting not to ask how he’s been if you genuinely could give a fuck less while “Ex Nihlio” talks about demons taking over him & being too different than anyone else. “Pill Hill Serenade” confesses to relapsing off the pills getting high to the point where he can’t even move while “Eastern Block Psalm” pulls from the Memphis scene talking about those who’re jealous of him.

“Do Killers Ring the Doorbells?” observes that something in the room doesn’t feel right soon as he sets foot & suggesting to count his blessings when all else fails while the buzzing “Death Rides a Grey Horse” talks about his chrome heart being decked out in the Chrome Hearts luxury brand. “Physician, Heal Thyself!” asks what’s left for him to gain & feels conflicted by the stranger taking on his mirror while “Daddy Warbucks” refers to itself as the song you make money to.

As for “Way of Sorrows”, we have $crim embracing the Memphis influences once again dismissing those saying they gon’ pop shit when they’ve never actually popped shit their whole lives while “Today’s a Beautiful Day to Die” sinisterly warns for everyone to get out his way. “Walk on Water” wants to know who else be doin’ shit the way he does crossing over soul & trap while the stripped-back “Depression, My Best Friend” talks about his struggles with the mental state.

“Staring at the Dust” dedicates itself to everyone around the world who’s been feeling hopeless while “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” talks about him finally taking off. “Ugly Sunday” advises for everyone to stay the fuck up out his way while “Red Mist” talks about the inside of his double cup feeling like magic. “Gospel of Scott” ask what you’re gonna do when people find out who you really are & “Vena Amoris” ends his most spiritual solo effort talking about the vein of love.

6 years after starting to follow Christianity, the Lonely Boy is back exactly a week after his 36th birthday to make an 88 minute album in which it’s name refers to 14 steps which led to Jesus’ crucifixion similarly to the NA 12 Step guide to sobriety. $crim’s production culminates all the sounds that he’s tried throughout his career into 1 & elevates his own instrumentals with lyrics revolving around mental health & quite possibly the most religiously conceptual thing I’ve ever heard from either $uicideboy$ member.

Score: 4/5

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Westside Gunn – “Heels Have Eyes” review

Here we have the 7th EP from Buffalo, New York emcee, songwriter, entrepreneur, curator & now professional wrestling promoter after forming the 4th Rope independent circuit promotion Westside Gunn. Proving his legend status & that he’s to be a force to be reckoned with all in nearly a decade whether it be running one of the hottest hip hop labels in recent memory to his first 2 full-lengths FLYGOD & Supreme Blientele. The success of the 4th Rope promotion has included 2-time RoW Heavyweight Champion & current HoG Crown Jewel Champion Zilla Fatu becoming the inaugural 4th Rope Heavyweight Champion carrying on the legacy of his late father in former AJPW世界タッグチャンピオン, FMWハードコアタッグチームチャンピオン and 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Umaga & even the current 3-time TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz becoming the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champions, putting together a joint pay-per-view with the Brett Lauderdale-owned deathmatch promotion Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) called For the Culture that will be taking place in Las Vegas tonight ahead of WrestleMania XLI live on the Comcast Corporation subsidiary NBCUniversal-owned streaming service peacock, surprise-releasing Heels Have Eyes to coincide with it.

After the “Fishscale Friday” intro, the first song “Einstein Kitchen” produced by CG is this piano-based boom bap opener taking y’all to the spot where the rhymes are cooked leading into the drumless “Goro” that Harry Fraud laced admitting that he had to go back inside the kitchen so he can go to SummerSlam XXXVIII in August that’ll mark the 1st to take place across 2 nights. “Davey Boy Smith” returns to the boom bap thanks to Denny LaFlare homaging the late WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion & 2-time WWE Hardcore Champion of the same name & the closer “Egypt” featuring Doechii on the remix soulfully references former ROH World Television Champion, NXT Champion & 3-time WWE tag team champion Tommaso Ciampa.

In what’s already been a huge week for professional wrestling with WrestleMania along with AEW Dynamite outliving WCW’s Monday Nitro as Discovery Global’s longest running wrestling show in spite of WWE Hall of Famer & former 3-time WCW Hardcore Champion Eric Bischoff, West drops off a quick 10-minute EP to warm everyone up ahead of 4th Rope’s biggest event yet with the east coast hip hop styles that’ve made GxFR so beloved in the past decade & one that I might like more than the EP he put out 5 months ago. The production balances boom bap, drumless, a hint of jazz rap & chipmunk soul fluidly on top of the iconic curator handling the vocal performances solely by himself in contrast to having a bunch of guests on it.

Score: 4.5/5

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Heem – “Bars & Noble 2” review

In front of us the 3rd studio LP from Buffalo, New York emcee Heem. Catching my attention in 2020 after becoming of a protege of Benny the Butcher & signing to Black Soprano Family Records, he also made a few appearances on the label’s showcase EP prior to dropping his debut mixtape Long Story Short & a debut EP High Art. His debut album From the Cradle to the Game came in the spring of 2023 & with the 1-year anniversary of Bars & Noble next month, it’s understandable for him to make a sequel.

“187” is this eerie boom bap intro talking about his murderous tendencies making them think it’s all good until getting caught up with later whereas “Charlies” soulfully clears up the feeling of everyone else being unable to walk in his shoes. “1993” somberly lets everyone know exactly where he comes from prior to “For Gangsters Only” featuring Charles Hider shouting out all the G’s in their lives.

The title track maintains an overall hardcore hip hop vibe instrumentally to talk about doing it for his city while “Gangsta Pain” featuring Harrd Luck returns to the boom bap so they can break down the hurt that all the street dudes out in their parts go through. “The Streets” works in a vocal sample so he can talk about practicing what you preach just before “Retro Flow” produced by CG has to be my favorite cut on here all across the boards.

“Dog Eat Dog” featuring Illy Foo begins the final act of Bars & Noble 2 by talking about the way the world is while “Simon Says” admits to the entire B$F squad having no screws to their heads. “Gangsta Boogie” ruggedly asks if anyone out there who were never feeling him are finally doing so now & not really dancing on beats that much, but then “Guns & Butta” samples “You Can’t Stop the Rain” by Loose Ends to sell 20s for the 10.

Heems finds himself on a whole new level since he’s been reconstructing his path in the rap game for the past 11 months & with Long Story Short still sticking out as my personal favorite of his, I do enjoy the Bars & Noble more than I liked the predecessor almost a year ago already. He’s at strongest, wisest & more well seasoned nearly half a decade into the game already although the features are cut below the original.

Score: 3.5/5

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Whyceg – “Cegregation” review

Atlanta, Georgia producer, audio engineer & recording artist Whyceg releasing his sophomore effort under his Sony Music imprint Cegular Records. Properly introducing himself to the underground in the summer of 2022 off his debut EP Grey Areas alongside the superior follow-up Cegular over a year later & of course the debut mixtape Yin & Yang a couple months later, his full-length studio debut Ceg Year would arrive in the previous February, signing both Babystaydown & Pradabagshawty to Cegular afterwards with each of them becoming successful in their own unique ways this past fall. Unlike their mentor’s previous solo efforts however, he chooses to take a backseat vocally approaching Cegregation & a list of guest performers to do what they do best over his production.

“Go Far” by 2sdxrt3all begins with a plugg intro talking about being disappointed by people tearing his heart in half whenever he shows them love whereas “Creep” by B6 decently blends gangsta rap lyrics & a dark plugg instrumental together for a passable single if you’re a fan of those styles. “In the Blind” by FBLMANNY talks about others hating to play a game they don’t want him to win leading into a personal favorite of mine “Old Lady Purse” by RRoxket co-produced by Goxan admitting to getting nervous around the feds.

Big Yavo gets a song of his own with the pluggy “Yay Ball” pulling out a stick & he’s not referring to chicken when he says that just before “Jetson” by Lil Tony fuses these trippy synthesizers & hi-hats shouting out one of the 2020s’ most popular trap beatsmiths: JetsonMade. “Dominoes” by Lazer Dim 700 & 2sdxrt3all finds the 2 teaming up for a dark plugg track cautioning to not choke if you don’t want smoke while “No Mental” by Yhapojj talks about giving a fuck less regarding his haters.

“IRL” by Lil Dre6o reaches the halfway point of Cegregation poking fun at people who be actin’ hard on the Meta Platforms-owned Instagram only to be scared shitless of him when running into each other while “Dead Ppl” by NDO D & Pradabagshawty kicks off the 2nd act on some dark plugg shit once again talking about smelling corpses near them, the latter having the strongest verse compared to the other. “Need Shells” by iam3hard moves forward continuing to mesh themes of the gangsta lifestyle & plugg instrumentation looking to reload his guns with more ammo while “Claim You Rich” by Jripey takes jabs at anybody who says they’re wealthier than they really are.

Zone1eriic takes the mic during “Clock It” & once another highlight “Undercover” by Babystaydown takes 111 seconds so he can talk about the woman he’s seeing possibly being the one yet simultaneously feeling like he can’t trust her for whatever reason he’s still trying to figure out, 2sdxrt3all returns 1 last time so he can make a sequel to “Crazy Dxrt3all Flow” off his 2nd EP Stop Holdin’ Nuts that recaptures everything that made the original version of it so special.

“OhYeah” by Rx Yp uses a flow reminiscent of Lucki’s using the gat to make muhfuckas dance like it’s the music video to “Thriller” by the late King of Pop himself Michael Jackon while “TF You Goin’?” by luhbrod7 promises to never leave his Heat similarly to how LeBron James did. Ending the album on a high note, “Riches” by diamond* clarifies to his girlfriend that he handles mafia business making others go missing.

I’d recommend checking out the Cegular EP for those curious of Whyceg’s abilities as a rapper, but I’d still take it over Cegregation for the finest entry in his discography so far & it has me hoping I’ll enjoy the next time the CEO of Cegular Records decides to let other artists rock his signature plugg sound throughout the duration of an entire LP a lot more than the averageness of this. This guy’s amongst my favorites in the plugg/dark plugg subgenres of trap & he really has something special going for his imprint, my main criticism with the album’s that the guest-list feels inconsistent.

Score: 2.5/5

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Tha God Fahim – “Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 10” review

This is the 58th EP from Atlanta, Georgia emcee/producer Tha God Fahim. Starting as an affiliate of Griselda Records as well as being 1/3 of the Dump Gawds alongside Mach-Hommy & Your Old Droog, we also can’t ignore the massive discography that he’s managed to build for himself, some of the standouts include Breaking Through tha Van Allen Belts & Dump Assassins. He’s been putting out amongst his best material in the past few years like the Camoflauge Monk-produced Dark Shogunn Assassin, the Nature Sounds-backed Iron Bull, the Nicholas Craven-produced Dump Gawd: Shot Clock King series, the Oh No-produced Berserko, Dump Gawd: Rhyme Pays produced by Mike Shabb, Tha Supreme Hoarder of All Pristine Wealth. Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga produced by Cookin’ Soul & Machine Gun Vocabulary produced by Cartune Beatz. We just got Lethal Weapon 2 over a week ago & Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 10 has arrived after a week-long delay.

“Rapid Succession” featuring Jay NiCE is this chipmunk soul intro talking about being in a space where everyone around them is eating whereas “Tha Highest Caliber” likens every word he says to a bullet & wack MCs becoming a part of his highlight footage. “Massive Proportions” brings the crooning soul samples back in the fold references Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy owned by The Walt Disney Company subsidiary Marvel just before the orchestral “Rejuvenation” talks about making up for the slackin’

The song “Lord of Rhyme” gets the 2nd leg of Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 10 going by shining sublimely & categorizing the techniques he demonstrates as flawless leading into “Flow Sick No Vaccine” making his competition malfunction because of the destruction & corruption he brings forth. “Dark Dojo” gets back on the chipmunk soul tip 1 last time to talk about the pen being forbidden in addition to breaking down why he walks the lonely path he takes.

Craven recently took to Twitter a day or 2 ago hinting that we could potentially get 90 more installments in the Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap saga & since all 10 that’ve seen the light of day maintain a specific level of quality, I wouldn’t mind it at this point. I’m happy that they pushed this back a whole weekend so the proper adjustments could be made whether it be the production showing influences of drumless, chipmunk soul & jazz rap or Fahim focusing on his pen a bit more slowly bringing guests on the mic with him.

Score: 4/5

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Wu-Tang Clan – “Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsmen” review

The Wu-Tang Clan are the greatest hip hop group of all-time from Staten Island, New York consisting of one of my top 10 producers the RZA, the GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard & their deejay Mathematics. Originally a trio under the All in Together Now moniker, their 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) became an east coast hip hop landmark & their 1997 sophomore effort Wu-Tang Forever is the greatest double disc hip hop album ever. The W was significantly less polished than most of what came of that era in the Clan & Iron Flag divisively revisited old sounds. 8 Diagrams stirred more controversy due to RZA embracing a experimental, orchestral & more universal production style with A Better Tomorrow during my senior year of high school being regarded as their worst even if “Pioneer the Frontier” has always stood out to me personally. Mathematics would fully produce The Saga Continues… & is doing so again for the Wu’s 8th album preluding their upcoming farewell tour. Not even gonna waste my breath on Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.

After the “Sucker Free City” intro, the first song “Mandigo” is this boom bap opener with 4 of the 9 remaining swordsmen talking about their style taking a strong back & total breath control whereas “Roar of a Lion (The Lion’s Pit)” by RZA & U-God featuring Kool G Rap finds the trio giving middle fingers to all their enemies. “Claudine” by Ghostface Killah & Method Man featuring Nicole Bus crosses over hip hop & soul trying to fight for love while “Shaolin vs. Lama” by Inspectah Deck & Raekwon talks about holding your head.

“Executioners from Shaolin” keeps it rolling by sinisterly cautioning that nobody want smoke with them in a battle just before “Cleopatra Jones” by Masta Killa & Raekwon sees the pair breaking down the affection each of them have a woman who goes by that name. “Warriors 2, Cooley High” by Method Man featuring Benny the Butcher absolutely delivers as a big fan of both Wu-Tang & Griselda just before “Let’s Do It Again” by RZA following his role as Bobby in the A24 Films surrealist comedy drama Problemista featuring RJ Payne, Willie the Kid& 38 Spesh talks about getting stronger as life becomes more difficult.

Cappadonna, Masta Killa & U-God all link on up “Dolomite” for another hardcore boom bap track justifiably boasting that you can’t tell ‘em shit since they’ve been around longer than the 80s crack epidemic & going deep enough in the projects where no one else can go, but then the “Trouble Man” outro shows off Kameron Corvet’s skills through a brief verse. “Charleston Blue, Legend of a Fighter” by Cappadonna featuring KXNG CROOKED officially ends the album with the latter talking about fatherhood & Cappa penning an open letter to his mother while the bonus track “Sinners (Mo’ Better Blues)” by the Def Squad was a cool reunion minus Redman.

7 & a half years since The Saga Continues…, the Clan homages the blaxploitation & martial arts genres of films that shaped them 5 decades ago. I appreciate that all 9 members were able to contribute lyrically testing each other’s swords unlike U-God being the only absentee on the predecessor & some of the finest in the underground today joining them felt like a rewarding passing-of-the-torch moment. 1 final noteworthy mention has to be Mathematics displaying his growth & development as a producer with the selection of beats he’s arranged.

Score: 3.5/5

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Bon Iver – “SABLE, fABLE” review

Bon Iver is an indie folk band from Eau Claire, Wisconsin consisting of drummer/keyboardist Sean Carey, drummer Matthew McCaughan, guitarist/keyboardist Andrew Fitzpatrick, bassist/saxophonist Mike Lewis, guitarist/keyboardist Jenn Wasner & frontman Justin Vernon. Their first 2 albums For Emma, Forever Ago & Bon Iver, Bon Iver are widely regarded by many to be their most essential offerings although that’s not to say 22, a Million & i,i didn’t have their own highlights. 6 years later, they’re back for their 5th studio LP.

After the “…” intro, the first song “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS” acoustically starts the EP off singing about being caught compiling his own news expressing his fear of changing while “S P E Y S I D E” fuses indie & chamber folk with singer/songwriter taking a more autobiographical approach with the lyrics. “AWARDS SEASON” goes for a more minimal folk sound so Justin can sing about taking stock of a major & wrenching change whereas “Short Story” suggests you’ll never be complete since life heals & repeats.

“Everything is Peaceful Love” peppily sings about all feeling right inside of him regardless of the self-awareness surrounding his current relationship possibly falling apart at any time leading into “Walk Home” suggests his partner to show her burdens because he’s certain she was made for him. “Day 1” featuring Dijon & Flock of Dimes unites the trio asking if they can have a rewind only once just before “From” singing for his lover not to let shit trouble her mind & take the affection he has for her at her own pace.

Meanwhile on “I’ll Be There”, we have Justin promising to keep this fire inside him “even if it takes all goddamn night” while “If Only I Could Wait” featuring Danielle Haim serves as a duet about taking the pain for what’s already at stake. Prior to the “Au Revoir” instrumental outro, the final song “There’s a Rhythmn” finishes Bon Iver’s first full-length in 6 years talking about seeing a woman in Spain he genuinely considers a babe & how she treats him as good the way she does.

SABLE, feels more like a prologue detailing a controlled burn clearing the way for new possibilities & fABLE is the book counterpart portraying stories of introduction & celebration that includes a fresh growth blanketing the charred ground. Pretty much what I’m saying is that Disc 1 was a work of solitude & Disc 2 is an outstretched hand. The production is prominently based around indie folk & singer/songwriter with additional elements of chamber folk, folk pop & art pop originally emerging from a long-gestating breakdown.

Score: 4/5

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Messa – “The Spin” review

Messa is a doom metal band from Cittadella, Veneto, Italy consisting of guitarist/bassist Marco Zanin, drummer Rocco Toaldo, guitarist Alberto Piccolo aka Little Albert & frontwoman Sara Bianchin. Their debut album Belfry as well as the sophomore effort Feast for Water & Close have become amongst the highest quality traditional doom metal of the past decade with influences of heavy psych thrown in. Metal Blade Records has signed them for their 4th studio LP & one I was highly anticipating.

“Void Meridian” is this heavy psych/doom metal intro asking how far can 1 go whereas “At Races” blends goth rock, psychedelic rock, post-metal & doom metal to sing about being cursed & running. “Fire on the Roof” shows a bit of an industrial metal influence I wasn’t quite expecting admittedly spiraling backwards where Sara feels like she belongs while “Immolation” takes a shot at piano rock with a heavy psych twist asking to be sacrificed or immolated.

We have “The Dress” bringing together doom metal, dark jazz, jazz fusion & heavy psych singing about all Sara’s monsters that’re ready to be fed coming over to feast on her heart with no exception in addition to not even looking at herself at this point anymore while “Reveal” begins with a bluesy guitar until getting heavier & darker in terms of general sound. Last but not least, the closing track “Thicker Blood” finishes up the album with a cinematic 9-minute doom metal epic.

Making another step towards legendary status, Messa invites the metal world on a breathtaking journey across the wide open skies of their creative imagination over a beautiful landscape of moods, twists & styles during the course of their Metal Blade debut. From a basis in the band’s eclectic sound they they call scarlet doom, The Spin rises, falls, broods, bites, comforts & destroys while resounding with both instinctive, compulsive magic & obsessive, concerted hard work.

Score: 4.5/5

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Ken Carson – “More Chaos” review

Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Ken Carson celebrating his 25th birthday with his 4th studio LP. Breaking out in the SoundCloud scene & becoming a protege of local trailblazer Playboi Carti as one of the first artists to sign to the latter’s Opium Records, he would go on to drop a total of 5 EPs prior to his full-length debut Project X & coming off the mature sophomore effort X which Anthony Fantano infamously gave a 0. A Great Chaos came in the fall of 2023 & is looking to stir up More Chaos.

“Lord of Chaos” featuring Ty$ on the remix starts it off with a rage-inducing instrumental from Outtatown talking about being a master of disorder whereas “Xposed” maintains a hypertrap flare shouting out the 808 Mafia since some forget the fact of him starting out as a member of the prolific trap production team. “Money Spread” blends glitch hop & trap to talk about his paper getting bigger while “Root of All Evil” locks in with 16yrold to discuss his current run he’s on bringing back the rage in the process.

Moving on with “K Hole”, we have Ken over a rattling bass-heavy beat with some horns making a nod to “K Pop” off Carti’s 4th album MUSIC that finally dropped month ago just before “Trap Jump” talks about getting the trap crazier than the greatest basketball player of all-time Michael Jordan himself. The 2-parter “Blakk Rokkstar” produced by F1LTHY of Working on Dying dismisses the need for a diamond tester since his ice be blinging out leading into another 2-part song “LiveLeak” that Noah Mejia cooked up making a reference to the current TNA World Tag Team Champion in his 3rd reign & the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champion Jeff Hardy of The Hardy Boyz.

“Diamonds” keeps the 2-parters going refusing to trip over hoes who don’t reciprocate his energy while “Dismantled” gives those same bitches a middle finger since he’s getting money regardless. “200 Kash” with Four3va ends the first half of More Chaos airing out a supposed Blood he saw rollin’ with a rival Atlanta gang called the 60 Crips, but then “Down2Earth” talks about vacationing in Japan with a woman he’s sleeping with & encouraging her to bring a friend.

The rage continues to be turned up to higher levels on “Confetti” upping a million times on everyone else who look at him as competition while “Naked” talks about a wack relationship he found himself involved in & preferring to be solo since it’s that stale. “Kryptonite” displays a raunchier side to Ken feeling he & his girl the only 2 people in the world when they link up while “Psycho” opens up about him being as crazy as he is.

“Inferno” reunites with F1LTHY to stay true to himself & not fucking with too many people other than his Opium family while “Thx” confesses his fear of having his heart broken. “2000” represents the year he was came in this world on his 25th born day while “Evolution” talks about the overall growth in Ken since he began making music. Pi’erre Bourne saves another standout beat for last on the uncannily dark “Ghoul” homaging my 2nd favorite basketball player of all-time Kobe Bryant when he hits a buck while “Off the Meter” featuring Destroy Lonely & Playboi Carti serves as an Opium posse cut referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Originally said to come out last Halloween & unsurprisingly being delayed 6 months later since that’s how the whole Opium roster has been moving when you really think about it in the grand scheme of things, More Chaos carries over the ethos of it’s year & a half old predecessor. The prominent rage production showcasing additional influences of pop
rap, hardcore hip hop, Chicago drill, digicore, industrial hip hop & experimental hip hop feels as if it’s a cut above the previous installment & Ken holds off from having any guests to hold the fort down on the day of his Silver Jubilee.

Score: 3.5/5

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