Tag: Loading

BNYX – “Loading…” review

BNYX is a 30 year old producer, songwriter & occasional rapper from Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania mentored by Jean Baptiste & joining the Working on Dying production team known for pioneering tread music. He’s also known for being an extensive collaborator of Yeat, signing to the latter’s Lyfestyle Corporation imprint under Field Trip Recordings & Capitol Records distributed by Universal Music Group. In preparation for his upcoming full-length solo debut Genesis FM, he’s dropping off a taste of what’s to come with a debut EP.

“Room of Smiles” by Dayne Jordan & UHMEER co-produced by BNYX’s brother BEAUTIFULMVN begins by talking about meeting a woman who happens to be incredibly fashionable & once the sample drill-influenced “Telepathy Love” by Clara La San describes a kind of love that feels telepathic hence the title, “Interstellar” by George Clanton & Jahvor finds the pair talking about a man & a woman being unified by yearning for one another.

Fortunately the 2nd half is where things start to pick up, with Johnny Yukon delivering an alternative R&B banger called “Water” hoping the door’s open when comes back once he picks up motion while my favorite track “Proud of Me” by Earl Sweatshirt talks about hoping his mother  Cheryl Harris is happy for him, which meant a lot as someone who was around during the Odd Future era in light of Twitter trying to cancel Tyler, The Creator. As for the closer “Switch It” by Yeat & Zukenee, both of them unite for an outro staying more dangerous than ever.

Some of you may remember that I praised BNYX near the end of 2023 as the best mainstream producer of that year & as happy as I am for him getting a label dark, his inaugural EP preluding his upcoming debut LP gives the impression that it could be average at best. I don’t have any complaints in terms of the trap, cloud rap, pop rap & rage production. However, my biggest criticism regarding Loading… is easily the consistency amongst the guest performers & sometimes that tends to be the case with producer albums.

Score: 3/5

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Mez – “Loading” review

Raleigh, North Carolina emcee Mez celebrating his 34th birthday by releasing his 5th EP. Emerging in 2010 off his debut mixtape The Paraplegics, he continued to build a name for himself with the Khrysis-produced debut EP The King’s Khrysis as well as the full-length debut My Everlasting Zeal & the sophomore tape Long Live the King. Following a few feature placements on Dr. Dre’s 3rd & final album Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre, he released a trilogy of 2-track EPs called Data Plan & is returning by signing to Mass Appeal Records to put out Loading.

“Yeah Yeah” begins with a downtrodden sample & later these drums that hit you in the face like a ton of bricks talking about simply wanting a happy home whereas “Humma Time” featuring Childish Major takes the bassy trap route flexing that you can’t diss their drip & to get your own. “Call On” shifts gears into boom bap territory thanks to Tae Beast telling his significant other she’s still who he calls on just before the soulful “Hot Spot” featuring Isaiah Rashad talking about still being connected when they’re gone.

MAVI & SAINt JHN join Mez on the song “Bat Phone” brings back the kicks & snares mixed with a crooning sample explaining just how they got rich referencing UFC Hall of Famer & former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell leading into “Devil is a Judge” keeping it boom bap pondering if Satan himself really is the judge or not. Finally, the closing track “Around the World” finishes Loading on a smoother note dedicating it to every southside all across the globe.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Loading will only lead to an upcoming sophomore LP especially after returning from a 4-year hiatus to land the Mass Appeal deal & I’m confident that it’ll be Mez’ strongest studio album to date, especially now you have Loading being nearly as good as The King’s Khrysis. He joins forces with both guests & producers that share his playful sense of soulful musicality & his dedication to the grind preluding something bigger coming down the pipe.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!