There’s a shortlist of producers that actually get me hyped when they release. The kind of hype that feels like an early Christmas, and my man Swab is one of those names. Every new drop makes my day, and today is absolutely no exception! Let’s talk about it!
So, this is the latest record by Swab featuring General Backpain. A man who I admittedly don’t have much knowledge of prior to this release, but anyone who sides with Swab on a full-length project is guaranteed to be dope, and that is exactly what this was.
Starting with the production, over the years we’ve heard Swab try this hand at a variety of different sounds, cuts, and samples. I’m certain you can point at any genre of music, and he’s probably had his toes in all of them to some extent. But after multiple listens, if I had to summarise this album in one sentence, it would be
(A Love Letter To The Classic Era)
The production feels refined yet masterful. It feels more skeletal than other projects (especially compared to his record earlier in the year with Supreme Cerebral, which had a more up-front, in-your-face boom bap feel to it, while this one feels elegantly down-to-earth and yet done with the best technique anyone could ever do it).
I love the crisp and clean instrumentation across the album and the atmosphere that’s built across this. It’s clear Swab was going for a certain soundscape for this breakout record with General, and one he nailed perfectly!
Now, onto the star in question. General Backpain, a man who I’m starting my discovery of today and what expectations he has to fill working with a legend, but as anticipated, he hit the home run on this project!
Has this raspy and rugged voice that is well fitted for a record like this. I love his raw and deep wordplay with his glass shattering flow and his witty yet lethal lyricism. When rhyming over these beats he brings an undeniable aura which each verse that makes you hang on every word and bar spit. His level of confidence and ability can be felt track to track and his passion for this game can be heard.
I love how throughout his verses he just feels like he’s strolling through the instrumentals, taking his time letting his words breathe because he knows he’s the man and there’s no reason to rush it! He has this methodical pace and tempo over the tracks that is just infectious to listen to, nothing worse then an artist whose trusting to rush things and ruining the song or album but thankfully we don’t have to worry about that with this one!
Overall, this is easily one of the dopest albums to come out this year (no surprise) the production is immaculate and the rapping the same. This
album was worth its weight in gold!
Shoutout to the features!
-Lupus Dei
-Killy Shoot
-Chuck Chan
https://open.spotify.com/album/6MBjUxbDUzeH6pCtkh1mud?si=rKMnXa6NRFynO4WX6It-7w
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