Rap Recap - February 2020

Artists covered: Che Noir * Denzel Curry * Mac Miller * Navy Blue * Rav x KB x Scuare

We're heading onwards and upwards with the latest Rap Recap as I dive into five great releases from hip-hop, jazz rap and even some neo-soul in the February edition of my monthly series...

"Juno"

Che Noir, 38 Spesh

14th February 2020

T.C.F

There's something wonderfully raw about this collaboratory record between underground New York rappers Che Noir and 38 Spesh, the latter of whom produced this album. From the album cover alone you get a sense of the bridge between modern and classic Roman themes, perhaps with a hint of vaporwave given the connotations that busts have after the 2010s. In a nutshell, that is exactly what Juno is like as an album, as well as being thoughtful, provocative and interesting.

The skit that opens the album, for as clichéd as the sample may be as far as the brand of fantasy goes, is the perfect metaphor for what this album sets out to achieve. The line "war on the gods" in particular sticks out to me as an intelligent mirror of the modern parallel that these rappers have grown up in, always having to fight through life as a result of imbalance and racism. Where Che Noir may have been experiencing the Thrill of the Hunt on her last two eponymous records, it's here on Juno that she establishes herself as a new queen whilst also taking down the old rulers who've oppressed her all her life. As obvious as these parallels may be once stated, the integration is so flawless and encompassing, a twist on the tried-and-true formula of most upcoming rappers.

Although the Roman themes are omnipresent in the subtext, they never dominate the lyrics and they're never romanticised, a testament to the thought that's been put into making a brief 23 minute record. It's a balance of substance and style that feels earned by the triumphant yet cynical closing track "Royalty", a moment that feels very much built up towards by the constant reminders of pain and struggle as early as the first (proper) track, the impassioned "Art of War". The truth is, Che is the dominant force on this album and she carries every single track.

That said, 38 Spesh's contributions cannot be discredited, as without the minimal yet somewhat orchestral beats are a quintessential part of why this album achieves everything it sets out to. The samples are smoothly, purposefully blended into the mixes in a way reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar and believe me that's only a compliment. What's perhaps more amazing is how great the placement of features are on this album, filling up just the right amount of space to convince me they were needed, even despite Che's proficiency.

Overall, I can't do anything other than praise this for its mastery of theming, beautiful instrumentals and compelling storytelling. It's the sort of hip-hop album that would appeal to me with just one of those elements done to such great heights, and resultantly the combined excellence is more than I could ask for.

9/10

Best Songs: Art of War; Win Lose or Draw; Concrete Jungle; Queen City; Royalty

Worst Songs: Crown

"UNLOCKED"
Denzel Curry, Kenny Beats

7th February 2020

PH / Loma Vista

As much as I do love Denzel's 2019 album Zuu, it was ultimately a fun throwback to Miami's summery rap scene that Denzel grew up in, a love letter to his past. With Unlocked however, he's back with full force and boasting some of his most intense beats and samples courtesy of Kenny Beats. It may technically be just an EP, but this thing takes up all of your attention. The antithesis, nay, nemesis of playlist fodder.

Only one track exceeds the three minute mark, and the shortness of each song makes for a fast-pace, demanding and incredibly replayable album that pounds you over and over again, never letting up and rarely doing anything other than ramping up the laser-focused, determined attitude. Take "DIET_" as a great example of what can be achieved in terms of a confrontational crescendo. It's infectious, the throbbing bass and ADHD drum beats giving Denzel's often jarring vocals more than enough backing.

Of course, the brief runtime means that the flaws become more obvious with repeated listens as they come around so much sooner, and the biggest problem I have is with a song itself. "Track07", the least interesting and least developed song on the album that feels very much like the interlude it is. Where the opener "Track01" somehow manages to be brilliant in its twisted use of samples and fantastically building preview of what's to come, "07" is nothing but filler that coasts on a repetitive beat and flips its samples in a much less engaging way. In fact, it unfortunately mirrors the underwhelming "Bushy B Interlude" from Zuu and has much the same problems.

Another criticism I've seen circling this release is its overly clean production that apparently takes away from the power of the lyrics, but I find the disorienting beats and dizzying samples to be satisfyingly intricate and the crisp polish of Kenny Beats only helps to make this as great a listen as it is. I especially love the drops of funky bass that defies expectations in terms of rhythms, much as the percussion does higher up in the mix. I just can't see why as a Denzel or Kenny Beats fan anyone would be disappointed in the energy and dexterity brought by both artists. For me, this is some of the best work I've heard from the both of them.

8/10

Best Tracks: Take_it_Back_v2; Lay_Up.m4a; Pyro; DIET_; 'Cosmic'.m4a

Worst Tracks: Track07

"Circles"
Mac Miller

17th January 2020

Warner

This posthumous album from Mac Miller is out of step with my usual opinions on releases of this kind, in more ways than one. For once, it doesn't feel as though this album in any way exploits the artist who sadly never finished making it; unlike with rappers like XXXTentacion or Lil Peep, this isn't one of many posthumous releases issued by the label in a bid to capitalise off of the death of the artist. Instead, Circles comes over a year after Mac's untimely death, and has been carefully finished off and produced by a select few producers to sound complete and (presumably) final.

Intended as a companion to his 2018 album Swimming, a frankly underwhelming experience when compared to this one in every regard, the greater concept was initially a closing circle to the phase of his career. Since his death, I'd say many of the albums themes have taken on new meaning and been enhanced by the context of the record as a whole, but that's not to say it doesn't carry itself on its own merits. No, on Circles Mac had something to say and he'd found a great and compelling way to say it. The themes are rather tragically centred around a rather pivotal moment in his life where the issues he's faced in terms of mental health and relationships are beginning to change as he attempts to turn himself around.

The album's lead single, the chokingly honest "Good News", is a phenomenal highlight that addresses the culture's isolation and ignorance to the reality of subjects such as his depression. Mac Miller's writing here is the key to unlocking the intent of the bulk of songs here, its precision and openness as fundamental as his unique take on neo-soul. Placing this album within the Rap Recap is a questionably decision as it hardly fits as a label for this album, but it's what he's predominantly described as and I knew I had to cover it sooner rather than later.

If there's one song that doesn't seem to fit the tone of the album would be the penultimate track "Surf", an awkward dive into stripped back, mostly acoustic pop that frustrates me with its frustratingly simple looping background and piercing solos that may convey his feelings but not without irritating me in the first place. Lyrically too, it feels somewhat stale after so many great written songs that precede it. It's the idle instrumental and lack of direction that, at least in my opinion, is in contrast to the focused writing and excellent instrumentation that prevails on almost every other song.

Overall, this is easily Mac Miller's most compelling and substantial album, and it is a real shame we won't ever get to hear how he could have progressed as an artist. He had his flaws as a person and the majority of music failed to stick the landing, and yet Circles demonstrates a clear understanding of theming and framing that I would never have expected to find in Mac's music. There's perhaps a lot to take in, and it can be overwhelming at times, but at the end of the day that's what makes the album so great. Rest in peace Mac.

8/10

Best Tracks: Circles; Complicated; Blue World; Good News; I Can See; Woods; That's On Me
Worst Tracks: Surf; Once A Day

"Àdá Irin"

Navy Blue

4th February 2020

Independent

This debut album from up-and-comer Sage Elsesser is a rather fascinating and jazzy experience that's a whole lot more worthwhile and developed than most of his clout-chasing peers, particularly in the instrumental department. The rough, loop-driven music is memorable and engaging, with the sort of laidback bombast that Quelle Chris and Open Mike Eagle gained momentum from alongside admittedly better lyrics than you'll find here.

The lyrics and vocals Sage brings are no doubt an integral part of his music and he definitely has some interesting things to say, although his presentation isn't all that original and the beats carry the weight of this album. I do wish the chaos of the jazz side of this record carried over onto these lyrics, but the lack of truly inspiring writing isn't a drawback so much as it is a reason why the album doesn't match the heights of his aforementioned predecessors. That nitpick aside, where his writing lack in originality he makes up for in personality, making completely sure you emerge with a pretty good idea of who he is and his story.

The piano that leads the funky "Hari Kari" showcase the diversity of his influences, especially when paired so immediately beside the following track "22!", a decidedly grittier and almost trap-inflected piece that sees Sage seemingly forget to clean up the mix, perhaps intentionally allowing for the rawness of his poetry to mirror the cloudy, slightly cluttered instrumental...and both are great tracks! Later on, we're graced with the more traditional jazz of "Ode2MyLove", a minimal and mesmerising ballad that yet again flips Sage's style on its head by presenting itself in a much cleaner setting with silky smooth production that accentuates the pleasant groove of the bass whilst allowing the saxophone the room it needs to meander in the best way behind Sage's vocals.

Coming out of this record, I'm incredibly excited to see where Sage takes Navy Blue next. It's not often we get a debut album this well defined and rounded, but I'm not complaining one bit. I was initially unsure whether to cover this album or lojii's, but in the end I had to go with the option I wanted to talk about and listen to more. Well done Sage Elsesser.

8/10

Best Tracks: With Sage; Simultaneously Bleeding; Hari Kari; 22!; Crash!; Ode2MyLove; To Give Praise!

Worst Tracks: Twenty

"SKIN"
Rav, Kill Bill: The Rapper. Scuare

26th February 2020

EXO

This is quite possibly the weakest of the five albums I'm covering in this roundup, but its playful nature and veil of fun makes it the easiest listen and the most replayable here. Incidentally, it's another sub-30 minute record that sees this diverse trio of rappers collaborate in an exploration of anxiety that encapsulates what is perhaps the first world's most personal and common problem.

Treading the line between mainstream trap and jazz rap, the sound of this album has echoes and parallels with so many older artists and what enables SKIN to rise above and stick is, for me at least, the narrative. As I mentioned, the greater theme is anxiety and every track runs like entries into the different causes and effects it has on each of our three protagonist artists. With their own very distinct personalities and contributions, the chemistry between them is really rather good. This is likely a result of the focal point being anxiety and the lack of deviation or hesitation surrounding the theme, adding up to an album that thrives off its short yet very complete and isolated nature.

The beats can vary from slow and steady inflections built upon samples and classic ambient jazz tropes to more urgent, aggressive and bass heavy trap. Thankfully it never loses touch with its soulful side and there's not a single devolution into one extreme or another, due to the production contributions from all three rappers I'm sure. Unlike with Navy Blue's debut, SKIN boasts a much cleaner and more complete tone that is incredibly pleasant to listen to, although I will say it doesn't hugely reflect the theming and you can fall quite easily into the lull of the sweet, looping beats without thinking about the intentionally provocative subject matter.

A couple of highlights would include the perfectly bombastic and dynamic "Breathing Underwater for Dummies", a track that instrumentally manages to mirror the darker theming with a claustrophobic mix and slightly overwhelming piano motif. Another accomplishment particularly noticeable on this song but definitely present throughout the album would be the cringe-free lyrics. Avoiding the trap of becoming another NF or Logic, the lonely, self-destructive and uncomfortable lyrics somehow come across as beautifully fragile and piercingly accurate to the isolation and dissociation so ubiquitous with the anxiety brought about by our unstable world, and brought on by ourselves. Something I can totally respect about this album is how self aware and confessional these rappers are, blaming themselves as much or more than the society they're trapped in.

Overall, this is the easiest album to enjoy and to get into on a deeper level, possibly because of how unsubtle and open it is. I sometimes wish it was a little more distinguished but the development of the focal theme and the relatability win me over here. Definitely not perfect, and I'd say that this trio have the least potential in terms of grander concepts and instrumental ideas, although the execution of what they do do is very satisfying.

7.5/10

Best Tracks: down.exe; Celadon; Through the Fog; Breathing Underwater for Dummies; Belong
Worst Tracks: Halve-Life

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This has been a really fantastic month for underground rap as you can see from my scores this time around! If you haven't checked out the rap recap for January I highly recommend you go do so now. Other than that, we've got our next Indie Recap coming up and thank you very much for reading.

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