In my line of work, I find myself overworked quite often. Left staying up till past midnight most nights just to clear my review schedule for the next day’s batch. But there are a rare few I volunteer to stay up late for just to catch their latest shit, and Maze Overlay is one of those men. As long as he’s making music, I’ll be here to support and wait in anticipation for each and every drop!
This is his latest album and his second full-length LP of the year following his exceptional project ‘Word’, and now he’s back with a list of producers such as:
-Wahr Season
-Arza
-Good Phelo
-Fumes The Threat
-Swab
-Now & Laterz
-Bishop
-Odd Father
And although I prefer records with one producer running the show, this album is definitely the exception. What makes this record special first and foremost is the cooperation and one mindset on the production. Although each track has its own unique characteristics, they all come together to focus on a singular vibe and overall concept.
Right off the bat, I noticed similar to projects such as ‘KOMPLEX’ or ‘The Grid’, it features a very dreamlike, ambient atmosphere in its instrumentation and execution of the production and overall soundscape of the record. Very melodic notes and keys, a surreal and methodical pace for the instrumentals, and you can feel that each producer working on this album took their time to establish a specific rhythm and aesthetic for this album.
It’s not a raw or muddy-sounding album but more a slick, introspective at times and artful in all its beautiful layers.
There’s across the album (including the intro) where you hear these skits and narratives, which definitely give this record a more intimate and thought-provoking essence! Actually, I’ve noticed that about all of Maze’s drops, he never adds dumb shit in his skits or interludes! I hate comedy or filler skits that don’t mean nothing— unpopular opinion— but all that Redman or Ludacris using tons of skits that rob the album of actual music annoys me. But Maze utilises these for creativity and making the audience think about the words being said.
That’s the difference, and that’s when interludes are acceptable! When they actually ADD something to the record, so that’s another layer when Maze wins over the rest!
I must say this every time, but with every new Maze album, I swear he gets better and better, and his rapping skills are sharper and more powerful than the previous release.
On this record, he sounds wise, he sounds like a 100-year-old Sensei who is preaching to the young ones about the art and mastery of hip hop! He has this certain level of reverence and respect in his cadence that’s unique to him.
With every bar he spits, he does so smoothly, gliding alongside the beat; nothing ever feels forceful or awkward with him, just pure coasting song to song, never knowing how it feels to touch the ground!
Although his subject matter can switch track to track or even album to album, he has seemed to give off this thinking man’s perspective on his bars. As if he’s literally trying to teach the audience and give them something to go home with after the album is done. I never really listen to a Maze album and just switch off; I’m always finding myself hanging on every word he says because it’s always part of a bigger picture or a grander story, and that level of lyricism is a big factor why I support this man!
Actually come to think of it also, he’s rarely ever with features. A few here and there across several albums but for the most part he’s always rocking on his own. That’s a strength a lot of rappers today don’t understand. When you can make a whole LP pop just on your own? That level of self confidence and dedication is something you can’t buy, it’s something you learn and he’s been at the forefront of this for years now!
When it comes to Maze, I’m never surprised. Don’t get me wrong I am the serpent tongue if ever drops ass I’ll be the first to say ‘this is ass’ but he just hasn’t. Every release I’ve heard from him since 2024 has been absolutely fire and I’m gonna be excited to cover him as long as he makes music!
https://mazeoverlay.bandcamp.com/album/vintage-lord
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