Man, trust this man to release an absolute banger even with no vocals! I can’t express how often this man blows me away with his releases. Going all the way back to his work on the famous ‘Gucci Ghost’ projects and from there producing some of my favourite albums of the last few years (including this year), and it seems his work isn’t done yet, and that makes me happier than anyone can imagine! Let’s talk about it!
So, this is the latest beat tape by Hip Hop Producer and Cut Master Swab. The man who has swept the culture off its feet more than 90% of the artists out there, and he’s here to flex one more time by releasing a full instrumental record that can outshine most normal LPs! With 10 incredible tracks and just under 30 minutes of content, he’s really focused on showing why he’s one of hip hop’s key figures.
The first thing I noticed about this album is how atmospheric it was. The way he’s aligned and emphasised the instrumentation sounds like the hip hop equivalent of a Studio Ghibli film. It’s cinematic, beautifully crafted, emotionally powerful, and charming on all fronts. I honestly feel like in the absence of vocal performances, he’s making it up for it by utilising incredible aura, breathtaking soundscapes, and an overwhelming aesthetic that can’t be denied.
If you’ve ever heard those classic jazz albums like Miles Davis’s ‘Kind Of Blue’ or Herbie Hancock’s ‘Head Hunters’ or John Coltrane’s ‘My Favourite Things,’ then you’ll know that level of detail and depth which is included in every single second of the music itself, not a breath wasted. That’s exactly how I feel for this record.
It’s usage of all that gorgeous instrumentation and the ability to elevate the chords, strings, and notes to such a degree that it goes beyond ‘music’ but a ‘work of art’ being placed in front of the audience in such immaculate splendour.
Another thing I love about this album is its continuity track to track. There’s no pause, break, or split from the foundation of the album. In this respect, I’m reminded of the modern jazz album by Floating Points and the late Pharaoh Sanders, respectively, ‘Promises’, and how it beautifully captured the essence of cohesion and prolongation that never broke once, unless you checked your phone; you couldn’t tell which track is what?
In that same respect, I feel Swab did his best to create an atmosphere that is run by imagination, passion, and desire of music and emotion. He’s not worried about the quality or actions of others, about the performances of guests or features, but instead just solely focused on himself, and in that realm of solidarity, he found what very well could be his magnum opus.
If you’re not a fan of beat tapes, then that’s completely fine! But I guarantee you that you’ll be missing out on a modern-day masterpiece.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3r9cwpuLVtdAuBwDv5tLjT?si=ardERKhOQGeoX0BJHFdteA
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 