Little Simz – “NO THANK YOU” review

This is the 5th full-length album from London, England, United Kingdom emcee, singer & actress Little Simz. Getting her start at the beginning of the previous decade, she would go on to drop 4 mixtapes & 9 EPs alongside her previous LPs. GREY Area showed some serious artistic evolution & S.I.M.B.I. (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert) wound up being my 2021 Album of the Year, even giving it a perfect 10. So considering that, anticipation going into No Thank You after Simz announced it early last week was definitely high.

“Angel” is a crooning opener with Simz rapping about praying for a sign & how good things aren’t granted to you whereas “Gorilla” has a bit of a boom bap quality to the instrumental she she can go ape shit lyrically after being fully charged & bared up. “Silhouette” has a more angelic approach sonically encouraging the listeners to look inside oneself & that what she sees in certain people now in contrast the light shining on them at one point, but then “No Merci” works in some orchestral influences talking about doing yourself a favor & not sell your soul to those undeserving of it.

However with “X”, we have Simz on top of a gospel-inspired beat admitting that she needs God & that her pain will be adored someday leading into the soulful yet symphonic “Heart on Fire” talking about her life being a blessing & being unable to take all the stresses that come with it. “Broken” weaves some strings & swooning background vocals throughout to discuss what it means to feel hopeless just before “Sideways” takes the chipmunk soul route talking about cautioning not to get attached to the version of her you see today & removing toxic people from her presence. The penultimate track “Who Even Cares?” has a more woozier groove to it talking about not being afraid of shit & “Control” is a piano-heavy closer asks her lover to promise not to let go of her hand because their love is all she has left.

Simz has already proven herself to be the most exciting hip hop artist in the UK today with GREY Area & especially S.I.M.B.I. (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert), so it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that she goes for a 3-peat on NO THANK YOU here. She wonderfully details the point she’s at now without holding anything back & Inflo’s production still has the jazzy/neo-soul undertones of the predecessor with the exception of swapping out the orchestral influences of the last album with gospel.

Score: 4.5/5

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Mount Westmore – “Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort” review

Mount Westmore is a California west coast supergroup consisting Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40 & Too $hort. Each member being veterans in their hometowns of Long Beach, Inglewood, Vallejo & Oakland respectively. We never heard all 4 of them on a track together until after they formed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic & after releasing their full-length debut Bad MFs over the summer exclusively as an NFT, they’re finally putting it on streaming services 6 months later backed by MNRK Music Group & with some new cuts sprinkled into the mix.

“California” is a hyper opener produced by Rick Rock representing their home-state whereas the bouncy “Motto” lets everyone know what the maxim exactly is. “Big Subwoofer” blends hyphy with trap thanks to Kato dropping some braggadocio leading into “Too Big” pulling from snap music interestingly enough going back & forth with each other talking about just exactly how they prefer to do shit.

However with “Activated”, we have Mt. Westmore explaining that everything’s imitated rather than calculated over a g-funk instrumental just before “Have a Nice Day (Fuck You)” has a soulful boom bap quality provided by Fredwreck & Dem Jointz basically telling everyone to kiss their asses & I actually like the latter’s hook quite a bit although my only complaint is that the first verse he delivers was redundantly short. “Ghetto Gutter” brings back the hyphy courtesy of 40 Water’s son Droop-E with co-production from Ant Banks acknowledging that it’s how you come prior to the rubbery-synth-laced “Free Game” dropping precisely that.

“I Got Pull” returns to g-funk turf advising to ask your boss if you don’t know who they’re are while “Up & Down” comes through with my least favorite track on the album personally, as it happens to be an awkward ode to all the thick bitches out there. “Do My Best” picks things back up with a smoother ballad produced by Soopafly referring to themselves as champions while “Lace You Up” has a more peppy quality to the beat giving the listeners some advise.

Meanwhile with “Tribal”, all 4 of them talk about how it takes a village to raise the real ones over more hyphy production while the song “How Many” goes back to the g-funk spitting that gangsta shit. The penultimate track “On Camera” is an eerie trap cut feeling like that they’re being watched primarily because of how quick things tend to go around on social media these days & “Mash” is menacing closer getting quite mobbish.

I know some people were quick to write off the supergroup’s debut since it was initially released exclusively as an NFT back in June, but I knew they’d have to put it up on all streaming services at some point & I gotta admit that the material that we got out of it is pretty impressive. It’s interesting to hear how all 4 MCs’ unique deliveries mesh with one another & the production representing the state of California as a whole by blending g-funk with hyphy.

Score: 3.5/5

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Kool G Rap – “Last of a Dying Breed” review

This is the 6th full-length album from Queens icon Kool G Rap. Coming up as a member of the Juice Crew collective & dropping 3 classic albums alongside DJ Polo from 1989-1992, he would eventually go on to build a solo career for himself in the fall of ‘95 beginning with 4, 5, 6. Last we heard from G Rap was in the summer of 2017 when he enlisted Toronto, Ontario, Canada producer MoSS behind the boards for Return of the Don, but has seen fit to re-emerge a little over 5 years later in the form of Last of a Dying Breed.

“Dying Breed” is a horn/boom bap opener with G Rap talking about how there ain’t many like him left this day in age whereas “Scared Money” works in some synthesizers to talk about not fearing a goddamn soul. Royal Flush & Vado tag along for the dusty piano-laced “Never Be” bragging that they be sippin’ on the finest champagnes just before Big Daddy Kane comes into the picture for the glistening “Fly ‘Till I Die” talking about being those motherfuckers until they both stop breathing.

Meanwhile on “Critical”, we have NEMS & the Genius of Rap coming together on top of some keys welcoming you to the dark side leading into the AZ/38 Spezh-assisted “Born Hustler” detailing the mafiosi lifestyle. “Official” hooks up some organs talking about being too certified with some jazzy undertones throughout the book, but then “Donald Goines” embraces a more triumphant sound taking you in as to how them boys be cooking.

The song “Million Reasons” with Al Skratch finds the 2 over a trap instrumental with an eerie vocal sample talking about being off the deep end while the penultimate track “Winning Hand” lets y’all know who you dealing with & the Lil Dee verse has gotta be the weakest feature on the album respectfully. “Born n Raised” with Grandmaster Caz & Doo Wop however ends things with an old school-flavored closer representing New York proudly.

Return of a Don was a great comeback for G Rap considering the mediocrity Riches, Royalty, Respect when it came out in the spring of 2011 & he goes back-to-back with Last of a Dying Breed here. A couple lackluster features here & there, but Domingo’s production is on par with MoSS’ with one of the greatest MCs in the history of our culture Giancana sounding like he has a fire under his ass lyrically.

Score: 4/5

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Apathy – “King of Gods. No Second” review

This is the 8th full-length album from revered Connecticut underground MC/producer Apathy. Emerging only 2 decades back as a member of the Demigodz & the Army of the Pharaohs collectives founded by Open Mic & Vinnie Paz respectively, he was also signed to Atlantic Records at one point even though he eventually left due to creative differences. Since then The Alien Tongue has built up quite the solo discography on his own, with my favorites being Honkey Kong! as well as The Widow’s Son & even his last one Where the River Meets the Sea. But a year & a half later, Ap’s enlisting Boston’s very own Stu Bangas to produce King of Gods. No Second from top to bottom.

“The Kingdom of God” is a spine-tingling boom bap opener with Apathy dropping some imperiling hardcore bars whereas “Malediction” with Pharoahe Monch works in a rap rock instrumental talking about being at their breaking points. “Green Olives” has a more ghostly atmosphere to the production with it’s sample referring himself as the only white boy in the hood à la Han Solo just before Jadakiss tags along for the sinister “No Time to Waste” preparing to become homicidal.

Moving on from there with “Cry”, we have Ap providing a genuinely heartfelt motivational anthem advising that one doesn’t have to shed tears leading into Sick Jacken coming into the picture for “Face Down” returning to the boom bap with some trumpets talking about leaving motherfuckers on the pavement. “Disgusting” with Black Thought finds the 2 over a soul sample referring to themselves as the bullies of the block, but then the Esoteric-assisted “Draw Blood” ruggedly gets on their battle rap shit.

The song “1 Man Army” hooks in a unique vocal loop to declare himself as the villain that we were warned about while the penultimate track “MK Ultra” with Celph Titled sees the dynamic duo over a dusty beat wanting to turn bodies to beef stew. “The Devil’s Frequency” with RJ Payne however finishes the album with both MCs over an uncanny instrumental talking about the holy beast watching both of them.

As personal as Apathy’s last album was & the one before being more centered around Freemasonry, what he & Stu Bangas concoct here is a lot more rawer & only serves as yet another reminder of how consistent that The Alien Tongue has always been as it’s yet another standout in his already-impressive discography. He shows he can effortlessly shine alongside an elite class of greats & the production that Stu cooks up is extremely deadly.

Score: 4.5/5

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SZA – “S.O.S.” review

This is the highly anticipated sophomore effort from St. Louis, Missouri singer/songwriter SZA. Emerging about a decade ago in the alternative R&B scene off the strength of her first 2 EPs SEE·SZA·RUN & S, she would eventually sign to Top Dawg Entertainment in the summer of 2013 & has since made herself home with the west coast label by putting out her 3rd EP Z alongside the RCA Records distributed full-length debut CTRL. But with the 5 year anniversary of the latter passing by over the summer, she’s returning in the form of S.O.S.

The title track opens things off with a stripped back instrumental from Jay Versace sampling “Until I Found The Lord (My Soul Couldn’t Rest)” by Gabriel Hardman expressing her desire to take what’s rightfully her’s whereas “Kill Bill” has a more spacious quality to it thanks to Carter Lang singing about how mature she is. “Seek & Destroy” however has a moodier vibe calling out someone who pushed her to her capacity, but then “Low” goes into trap territory talking about keeping shit on the DL.

Meanwhile on “Love Language”, we have SZA on top of an aquatic beat asking for transparency leading into “Blind” diving into more drumless turf confessing that she can’t see the things she needs & the love she seeks. “Used” returns to a more atmospheric quality courtesy of DJ Dahi singing about feeling like it’s over & something callin’ to get closer just before the seductive” Snooze” produced by Babyface & Leon Thomas III lets her lover know just how important he is to her.

“Notice Me” returns to a more trap-based sound explaining that she doesn’t need to be this dude’s lover while “Gone Girl” admits that she needs more space & security over a piano instrumental with some finger-snaps featuring co-production from Emile & Jeff Bhasker. “Smoking on My Ex Pack” goes full-blown chipmunk soul rapping about an ex of hers for 83 seconds while “Ghost in the Machine” ponders if one could distract her from all the disaster over a rich yet minimal beat.

Continuing from there with “F2F”, the guitars throughout were unexpected yet welcoming as SZA admits that she hates herself enough for the 2 of them while “Nobody Gets Me” keeps the acoustics around courtesy of benny blanco singing about being misunderstood by everyone except the person that she’s currently with. “Conceited” is a tropical trap banger acknowledging how introverted she’s always been while “Special” works in some more finger-snapping & an airy backdrop feeling like she’s a loser when I personally feel like she’s far from it considering I’ve been a fan of her music since high school.

“Too Late” has a more cloudy yet peppy tone to the instrumental as the lyrics address 2 lovers that’re dangerous for each other while “Far” talks about being unable to trust anyone & done getting fucked over with some synths & hi-hats laced together by Beat Butcha. “Shirt” comes through with an alternative R&B/trap hybrid admitting that she likes feeling lost while the Travis Scott-assisted “Open Arms” comes with a guitar-driven sequel to “Love Galore” talking about devotion.

The song “I Hate U” has some downchill/vaporwave undertones to it expressing her disscontempt for an ex in her life while the penultimate track “Good Days” is a remarkable neo-soul cut pulling from neo-psychedelia & chamber folk singing about focusing on the positives in her life. “Forgiveless” however is a boom bap closer starting off with a sample of “The Stomp” by the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan & SZA calling out those disrespecting her behind her back.

Between this as well as Kendrick’s latest album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers alongside Ab-Soul’s comeback effort Herbert dropping next weekend, 2022 has been the best year that TDE has had in quite some time. The production is more contemporary, yet her songwriting is as strong as before & her performances come off as genuinely passionate. Whether she actually quits making music or not because she’s been teasing it forever now or we get a new body of work from her at some point, anyone who loves the alternative R&B trailblazer as much as I do would consider this a welcoming return.

Score: 4/5

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xhulooo – “NVRLST” review

This is the full-length debut from Atlanta, Georgia up-&-comer xhulooo. Breaking through SoundCloud at the very beginning of 2019, he’s gone on to drop a total of 9 EPs since with the last one being the 3-track offering Xhuday this past summer. But as his popularity has only continued to grow especially after the Ronny J-produced single “Hunnaround”, all of the loosies & EPs that xhu has given us within the last 3 years have all been leading up to the commercial debut NVRLST.

“Father” is a cloudy yet bassy trap opener produced by Maajins expressing his confusion by a bitch who keeps calling him papa whereas “freezTag” has a more cloudier vibe to it talking about being in that lane. “time2getAhM” works in a plugg instrumental to chase $1M prior to Lunchbox tagging along for the delicately-produced “Peel Off” talking about not giving any fucks towards how anyone else feels & looking back on when people used to do them dirty when they were down bad.

Meanwhile on “kantHang”, we have xhulooo airing out those who want to roll with him over some hi-hats as well as piano chords & synths leading into just before “yungRichFella” returns to a cloudier sound boasting his wealth. “Hold Us / Need You” starts off a spacious beat with a fast-tempo switch-up talking about them being unable to contain them expressing his love for this woman, but then sgpwes comes into the picture for the airy “Flat” admitting they don’t even know whey they are & having too many racks on them

“Was Hannin’?” jumps on top of a hazy instrumental asking what the deal is while “Trix” references 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena. “Mind Ur Business” with Highway finds the 2 over a heavenly trap beat encouraging everyone to not stick their noses where it don’t belong while the song “S.O.t.W. (Smoking Out the Window)” with Lil Keel hooks up a intriguing vocal sample as the pair talking about blowing gas & linking up with women they can’t give their love to. The penultimate track “1forTheBooks” ensuring how how they got this over a roomy trap instrumental & “opp pack” is a minimal closer dropping braggadocio.

If you were coming into this album expecting some rage inducing pop rap, then you might be disappointed. However, I personally admire that xhu decided to take the artistic risk of departing from the sound that blew him up to begin with because it’s a solid debut. The production is more plugg/trap-based, the feature list is brief yet consistent & the kid himself proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with down the line.

Score: 3.5/5

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Cult of the Damned – “Cultgangrapsh!t” review

Here we have the 3rd studio LP from England, United Kingdom collective the Cult of the Damned comprised of Blah Records founder Lee Scott, BeTheGun, Sly Moon, Salar, Bill Shakes, King Grubb, Tony Broke, Black Josh, Stinkin’ Slumrok, Bisk, Sleazy F Baby, Col. Mustard, Dr. Zygote, Sam Zircon & Reklews. Introducing themselves as a unit in 2015 off an eponymous debut EP, a sequel would come in the form of their full-length debut Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate & the sophomore effort The Church Of mostly produced by Nobodies Home was more rawer sonically. However, they’re returning to have Drae da Skimask solely produce Cultgangrapsh!t.

“SCOTTY2COMFY” by Bisk, Lee Scott & Sniff was a psychedelic boom bap intro talking about fathering MCs & breaking boundaries whereas “PUSSY2” by Bisk, Black Josh & Sniff featuring Jack Danz hooks up a piano sample mixed with kicks & snares so they can explain that you can’t be the greatest & a bitch. “FU” by the Antiheroes & Sly Moon eeriely brings the trio together over more key-driven boom bap instrumental for a hardcore hip hop track dismissing the need of a hook leading into “Belly” by Bisk & Black Josh featuring Jehst talking about life being a mess & controlling it all the way.

Stinkin’ Slumrok gets a solo joint of his own on the psychedelically raw “SLUMMY” looking to keep it going until the daylight comes prior to “JIM BEAM” by BeTheGun & Sly Moon going for a lo-fi boom bap vibe speaking of walking down the street & talking in their sleep at night. “DINOSAURFOOD” by Bisk & Black Josh jazzily finds the pair discussing less being more unless you’re short on the drawer while “Highlighted” lets Black Josh hold the fort for 113 seconds talking about having women on his mind over prominent vibraphone flip.

“Coffee, Pt. 2” by Bisk, King Grubb & Lee Scott nears the conclusion of Cultgangrapsh!t with a sequel to a standout off Cult of the Damned 2: Brick Pelican Posse Gang Crew Syndicate making it known that there ain’t nobody like them while “Free Tony” by Bill Shakes, Lee Scott & Tony Broke references UFC middleweight Nick Diaz. “Kosher” by Bisk & the Super Sag Bros finishes the album with all 3 of them talking about stealing women & only seeing greatness whenever shutting their eyes at night.

Since its title implies that we could a sequel or 2, this inaugural entry of the Cultgangrapsh!t series could by the weakest of the 3 full-lengths that the Cult of the Damned have given us in almost a decade. That said: I still enjoy it, just not as much as their previous material collectively. Drae da Skimask’s production suits their whole style & Reklews’ engineering, but it kinda feels like a compilation considering the lack of moments where there are 5 members or more appearing simultaneously. I’d also like to hear Reklews & Sam Zircon returning to produce a Cultgangrapsh!t 2whenever the time’s right.

Score: 3.5/5

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Twiztid – “Glyph” review

This is the 16th full-length album from Detroit hip hop/rock duo & Astronomicon founders Twiztid. Consisting of Jamie Madrox & Monoxide, they originally started out as part of the House of Krazees alongside childhood friend The R.O.C. in 1992 before their initial disbandment 5 years later. Almost immediately after, the Insane Clown Posse took Jamie & Mono under their wings by signing them to Psychopathic Records as the demented duo they’re known as today. They would become the label’s 2nd biggest act being their mentors off projects like Mostasteless, Freek Show, Mirror Mirror, The Green Book, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day) & Abominationz. Shortly after the latter was released, Twiztid left Psychopathic to form Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2014. Since then they’ve released 6 albums & 7 EPs on their own label, my favorite of which being /ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/. Astronomicon has even become Metro Detroit’s top pop culture convention & I’ve gotten to meet some guests in the past such as former アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン, GCW Tag Team Champion, TNA X Division Champion, 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 5-time WWE tag team champion & XPW Television Champion X-Pac. Their full-fledged rock debut Unlikely Prescription was a bit mediocre in my opinion but ahead of the follow up Welcome to Your Funeral produced by Zeuss dropping in the new year containing more rapping & wicked shit, they’re returning to their hip hop roots on Glyph.

“Keepin’ 1” is an upbeat rap rock opener produced by Str8jaket with Jamie & Mono talking about doing fine & still being here whereas “Stab” takes the trap route thanks to the artist formerly known as Young Wicked himself James Garcia spitting the wicked shit. “Fallin N Love W Some1 Who Hates U” works in some synthesizers courtesy of Fritz the Cat with the title speaking for itself as far as subject matter goes, but then the Eastside Ninjas get together for “360” returning to the trap sound provided by Stir Crazy giving the middle finger to everyone hating on them.

Meanwhile on “Signs of a Villain”, we have Twiztid over a trap metal instrumental from Grady Finch of Oh! The Horror revealing that the red flags of an antagonist are everything you hate never changing leading into one of my favorites on the album “Never / Reboot” talking about this shit never stopping despite the beat here being a bit minimal. “Dig Another Hole” has a bit of an industrial flare to it speaking on trying not to lose control while the song “Clown” featuring Str8jaket talks about not being suckers even if their tears amuse you over a somber trap beat. The penultimate track “HD” almost has a Middle Eastern vibe to the instrumental advising to ask someone if you forgot who they are & “Guts” finishes things with a trap metal horrorcore anthem.

It’s already been a decade since these guys have left Psychopathic to start MNE & the fact that they’re still putting out great material like this at the rate they do is astonishing to me because I could argue that Glyph is the 2nd best post-PSY album that Twiztid has done behind /ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/. Primarily because of them returning to their horrorcore roots for the first time since Mad Season & the experimentation with new sounds like trap metal within the production.

Score: 4/5

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100 gecs – “Snake Eyes” review

St. Louis, Missouri hyperpop duo 100 gecs signing to Atlantic Records for their 2nd EP. Consisting of singer/songwriters & producers Dylan Brady & Laura Les, they got together in 2015 after meeting at a high school rodeo & dropped an eponymous extended play the following year to moderate reception. Their debut 1,000 gecs under Dog Show Records polarized the musical spectrum with some calling it unlistenable & others like me who appreciate it for playfully demonstrating their creativity, coming back 3 & a half years later to roll Snake Eyes.

“Hey Big Man” sets it all off with a rap rock intro reminiscent of the Beastie Boys’ full-length debut Licensed to Ill where both of them are trading bars with each other for only a couple of brief verses while the only single “Torture Me” co-produced by Skrillex fuses hyperpop, digicore hybrid trap, future bass, bubblegum bass & future riddim so Laura can repeatedly talk about an psychotic ex of hers that wants to torture her. “Runaway” finishes off by combining the hyperpop sound they’ve popularized & elements of alt-rock describing each of their desires to escape their previous lives.

If Snake Eyes proves anything, it’s that the next 100 gecs album could easily be the most accessible thing they’ve ever done & that wouldn’t necessarily surprise me now they’re on a major label. That being said: Snake Eyes feels more like a prelude to 10,000 gecs than a continuation of their previous full-length. Dylan & Laura’s hyperpop production carries over the digicore elements of the gecs’ previous output, except they’re emphasizing their alternative/rap rock influences a bit & I can see that working out in the long run if they take those styles further.

Score: 3.5/5

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Skribbal – “Road to Dystopia” review

Skribbal is a 30 year old MC from Los Angeles, California who came up in 2016 off the strength of his full-length debut Drug Spun Funk. This would catch the attention of the rising Wisconsin underground label Force 5 Records & they would put out his sophomore effort Skinwalker a couple years later. But once Skribbal dropped his debut EP Quarantine Sessions a month after the pandemic started, he would leave the label to form his own Sony Music imprint Hell Patrol Records & celebrated this newfound independence by dropping his 3rd album Black Eyed Children last spring distancing himself from horrorcore in favor of a more hardcore hip hop style. We’ve already gotten 2 EPs from him in 2022 with In Their Blood…& from the Gutterand Man with the Screaming Brain, but is finishing the year with a 4th EP.

“Son of Paleface” is a twangy boom bap opener dropping some battle bars whereas “Dorothy Lamour” works in a crooning vocal loop talking about searching for his soulmate. “Ralph & Alice” has some dejecting piano chords throughout as he & Brittany Dominguez compare one another to the titular couple from The Honeymooners while “Thanks for the Memory” reminiscing on how gorgeous this chick that he saw was over a vintage sample. The closer “Jackie Gleason” with Mopes is a horn-boom bap combination continuing to bring the hardcore prior to the bonus cut “Mambo Italiano truly ending the EP with an Italian flip explaining how crazy he is.

All 3 of the EPs that this dude has dropped throughout the year are solid in their own rights, but I think that Road to Dystopia is my 2nd favorite of the trilogy behind In Their Blood…& from the Gutter. The heavy 40s/50s influence throughout is pulled off in an interesting fashion & you can tell Skribbal has a genuine appreciation for that specific time in history. Whatever’s next in 2023, I’m interesting in hearing where it goes from here.

Score: 3.5/5

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