Jehry Robinson – “Hella Highwater” review

Long Island, New York rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Jehry Robinson returning got his 4th LP. Coming up almost a decade ago off his eponymous debut EP & the debut mixtape Pts. IV-VI few months later, his biggest breakthrough came around Christmas 2019 after signing to Strange Music & quickly establishing himself with the KC indie powerhouse by dropping his full-length debut 20/Twenty the summer COVID had the world shutdown & a sophomore effort The Name’s Not Important the next fall. It’s already been a couple years since Drink More Water & is ending the month the way Strange started it with Hella Highwater.

Struggle Jennings joins Jehry on the heartfelt intro “Gates” telling the story of a family member who was recently released from a 12-year prison sentence whereas “Pour Up” featuring Doobie finds the 2 talking about smoking or drinking when they probably shouldn’t embracing a county rap sound. “Good by Now” produced with Matt Phoenix mixes country, trap & pop realizing that love alone isn’t enough if the other person isn’t willing to grow while “Marathon” featuring Ty March sings about giving their lovers everything.

“Better” sends an sarcastic letter to that 1 person who’s constantly treats life like a competition over a creaky guitar & a smooth reggae-style inflection in his vocals leading into “Whispers” going for a pop rock vibe singing about not needing anyone to hold him down. “Whiskey Water” channels the energy of a lonely southern dive bar using water as a chaser whenever he consumes liquor while “Slumber” hopes of getting up from the darkness one day.

Wyshmaster produces the 2nd single “Pay Me” leaning towards country pop instrumentally singing that he doesn’t need to be saved because he’s too far gone while “Acoustic” featuring Jaimie Wilson joining forces for a duet about the group of people who only love you when you’re gone. “Backwoods” takes the Americana route a little passionately pleading that he doesn’t wanna slow down because it’s the only thing he knows while the summery “Mark on My Heart” experiences a breakup.

“Feel So Long” comes off assuring about all of us having our own sorts of pain & that contributing greatly to making us strong while the poppy “Why Don’t You” asking for the reason this person won’t say goodbye to him. “4 Seasons” featuring Zane Neale sings about loving their partners every season of the year & the self-produced “Pilot” closing Hella Highwater out by turning this plane around. “William Montgomery” however returns to his hip hop roots serving up a stunningly deft lyrical display.

Bringing musical fusion in a way fans have come to know as his specialty, Hella Highwater pushes Jehry Robinson’s artistry further than ever before whilst tackling a prominent theme revolving around all people having the capability of overcoming adversity & realizing our dreams no matter how badly we’ve fucked up in the past because we still matter to the important people in our lives. His palette is more diversified even if it’s more country themed, he’s more honest & extends a confidential reality check to those in need of it.

Score: 4/5

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Jehry Robinson – “Drink More Water” review

Jehry Robinson is a 35 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Long Island, New York who came up in 2016 of his eponymous debut EP & the debut mixtape Pts. IV-VI few months later. His biggest breakthrough came around Christmas 2019 after signing to Strange Music, establishing himself with the KC indie powerhouse by dropping his full-length debut 20/Twenty the summer COVID had the world shutdown & a sophomore effort The Name’s Not Important the next fall. And with the 2 year anniversary coming up this weekend, Jehry’s commemorating it by dropping his 3rd album.

“Still Breathing” featuring Rittz & Tech N9ne is a somber trap opener to the LP that Jehry himself produced with Matt Phoenix so he & both guests display their technical lyricism & speedy flows taking everyone hostage knowing that this the life they chose whereas “Sincerity” featuring Hi-Rez finds the 2 talking about how it really might not be as bad it seems since he’s in a state of arrival with his biggest fear fucking up his momentum over an uncanny loop with hi-hats. Hi-Rez’ appearance might be the weakest on the whole album in my respectful opinion. “Out My Head” has a more melodic approaching both in terms of delivery & the instrumental owning up that he’s the one to blame just before “Memorial Day” works in what might be a slowed down flip of the acoustic guitar at the beginning of Sixpence None the Richer’s best song “Kiss Me” & I could be totally wrong on that, but anyway he does display some real pain in his voice as he sings that heaven gained an angel feeling like he’s lost a friend.

King Iso comes into the fold on the bluesy trap hybrid “No Happy Days” produced by Wyshmaster tackling the themes of mental health that Iso has become renown for ever since signing to Strange right before Jehry did leading into “Kill My Daydreams” fusing pop rap & reggae talking about not letting anyone make you feel like you’re crazy or judge you for the things you naturally find yourself daydreaming about. “His Story” keeps the positive vibes going with a moodier atmosphere admitting he’s still lost & the best things in life come with pain, but then “Old Black Benz” talks about it having sex in his titular whip with a vibrantly summery beat.

“Candy Paint” is a quasi-jazzy trap crossover laced by Dominique Sanders getting on a more boastful side of things lyrically while “NY Talk” featuring Coney Island veteran NEMS who’s fresh off his fantastic major label debut Rise of the Silverback coming together over a club-rattling instrumental representing their home state. “Mushrooms” is a hypnotic ode to the titular drug taking them at 5am prior to “Water Boy” layering some hi-hats over these fresh piano chords talking about how motherfuckers always got something to say every single time he walks into the room now & that there ain’t no competition.

The lead single “Question Why” dives headfirst into boom bap territory so Jehry can count his blessings & never questioning why while the acoustic trap “Darkness” with C-Lance behind the boards calls out someone who’s been fucking with the wrong one feeling used & abused even though he never starts shit. “Razor” returns to a more tropical feeling sonically addressing the fact that we’re still hurtin’ & it won’t get better that is until the groovy “That Way” sings about exactly the way how he likes certain aspects of his life.

“Sleep Sleep” dabbles with acoustics more singing that he’s been lost in the wind & some of his friends don’t even know who he is anymore crying himself to sleep only to roll the dice in the morning while the closer “Front Door” continues to shoot for a more stripped-back sound continuing to sing about him not knowing life without the love of his life by his side. “Get Back Up” on the other hand happens to be a horn-inflicted pre-order exclusive bonus track delivering an anthem the champions can celebrate to.

Jehry’s verse on the “Screen” remix on top of the singles that we got up to this point had my anticipation Drink More Water continuously growing & makes it seem as if he never left to start. He’s definitely shown some growth in that 104 week span toning down the amount of features from last time on top of blending all the styles that he’s become known for since making himself home at Strange Music & continuing to push his artistic range forward.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jehry Robinson – “The Name’s Not Important” review

This is the sophomore album from New York rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Jehry Robinson. Coming up in 2016 off his self-titled mixtape then an EP the following year, his biggest breakthrough came around Christmas 2019 when he signed to Strange Music & put out his full-length debut 20/Twenty at the tail-end of that following summer. However, it looks like Jehry is already back with The Name’s Not Important & has enlisted Wyshmaster to produce the whole thing from start to finish.

“Out My Face” starts things off with Jehry & his mentor Tech N9ne telling their naysayers to leave them alone with Wyshmaster whipping up an energetic trap instrumental whereas “Scars in My Mind” is a piano ballad opening up about “we’re only holy when we hover inside”. “On Read” takes a more moodier turn airing out a woman ghosting him just before the acoustic “Everything’s on Fire” tells listeners that “you’re the only one that can be you”.

Meanwhile on “Weekend”, we get a tropical party theme leading into Krizz Kaliko & Matt Phoenix accompanying him on the bassy trap banger “Can’t Hold My Head Up” saying their lives are a mess. I think “Butterflies” has to be my favorite on the whole album with it’s boom bap production & Jehry showcasing his speedy flows, but “Take Me Home” works in some beautiful keys saying he’ll change some day.

“Cancellations” with Nani Layilaa is a harmonious cut looking back on the struggle whereas “24/8” is a short boom bap ballad saying he can’t believe he’s made it this far. “Full Moon” serves as a full-blown contemporary R&B cut that isn’t too bad, but “All These Colors” with Hi-Rez is a downtrodden trap cut talking about change.

“Full View” enlists Rose the Mermaid for a keyboard/boom bap cut saying they ain’t worried about the next man while the song “Another Round” with Justina Valentine serves as a fiery strip club banger. The penultimate track “Too Much” energetically talks about doing the most & for the closer “Living Proof”, we got Jehry & Joey Cool coming together for a summery tune hoping the good days will weigh the bad ones out.

20/Twenty is a tad bit better to me, but The Name’s Not Important is a worthy follow-up. I like how it picks up where the previous album left off introspectively delving into themes that’re more personal than the debut last summer & highlighting his lyrical prowess with Jehry once again showing that he’s one of if not the most versatile artist on Strange Music currently.

Score: 3.5/5

Jehry Robinson – “20/20” review

Jehry Robinson is a 32 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Long Island, New York who came up in 2016 of his eponymous debut EP & the debut mixtape Pts. IV-VI few months later. His biggest breakthrough came around last Christmas after signing to Strange Music, establishing himself with the KC indie powerhouse by dropping his full-length debut in the middle of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic following a small handful of releases from the label’s artists & continuing to let more come down the pipe earlier this month.

The album kicks off with “Daylight”, where Jehry & Tech N9ne talk about being elites referencing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos over a woozy beat from MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7. The next song “Follow My Lead” with King Iso sees the 2 talking about being uncontrollable over a cavernous trap beat while the track “No Refunds” goes full-blown reggae to talk about making your time in this world count. The song “Earthquakes” vents about missing home over an tropical beat from Wyshmaster while the track “Daddy Issues” talks about being there for his niece over an acoustic instrumental.

The song “In My Feels” opens up about his inner demons over a smooth beat while the track “Reseverations” telling this person the possibility of staying with him over some more reggae production. The song “Mind Your Business” pretty much speaks for itself over a cavernous instrumental while the track “Impatient” talks about being just that over a dreary beat. The song “Gas in the Tank” talks about going up from here now that he has a record deal over an aggressive trap beat while the track “Walk Away” talks about how life’s amazing & the empowering feel of the production fits just great.

The song “Michael” is a tearjerking tribute to Jehry’s cousin of the same name who passed away of a drug overdose while the track “Closer to the Sun” is a playful summertime bop. The song “Torture” talks about feeling like he’s underwater over an infectiously rhythmic instrumental while the track “Ego” talks about remaining humble over a tropical instrumental. The song “Ritual” with Joey Cool sees the 2 talking about spreading love over a triumphant beat while the track “Lights” is a touching ballad that seems to be written towards Jehry’s incredible manager/wife Tara Ennis.

The song “Backburner” talks about how he’s falling into place over a jazzy instrumental while the track “Disagree” with Cozzy Sutra sees the 2 telling their significant others that they both have their own issues over a boom bap beat with a piano-loop. The closer “Foresight” talks about how everyone’s messing with him now due to his new record deal over some plinky pianos from Matt Phoenix & then there’s the bonus cut “Say Less”, where Jehry links up with Justina Valentine of Wild’n Out fame to clap back at their nonbelievers over a bouncy beat that has a bit of a modern West Coast feel to it.

Strange Music has been staying consistent for several years now whether it be their signings or constantly working on new projects & Jehry Robinson is definitely a good fit for the label. This album really does a good job at giving listeners a deeper look into his personality along with displaying how versatile he can be.

Score: 3.5/5