Talk about an anticipated release! This is one of those ‘count the days’ type drops, and the album I was literally checking updates for on the daily, and now it’s finally here! The collaboration of the decade! So let’s talk about it!
This is the full-length release official collaboration between two of my favourite collectives. The MC giants ‘Penlordz’ and 6th Man’s own super producer ‘Shade Cobain’, and together they drop a solid nine-song tracklist with the likes of
-Sha Abbar BeOnedrful
-Audio Messiah
And your very own ‘Serpent Tongue’ is on the final track of the album! Yes, I am incredibly humbled and hyped!
So, let’s talk production. I honestly couldn’t think of a more fitting producer for the legendary Penlordz than Shade. After hearing the few singles they dropped together, it was obvious that Shade knows how to draw out the perfect level of surreal atmosphere and immersive soundscape that is more than your average listening experience but a progression that runs throughout your whole body and soul.
Shade, across these nine tracks, brings to the table immersive, intricate, and unique cinematic sounds that shift the balance of the current structure of Hip Hop.
He utilises everything from jungle samples, extraordinary vocal harmonies, larger-than-life organ notes, thumping drum patterns, plucked strings, sharp notes, and intricate melodies and theatrical instrumentation that has you feeling like you’re listening to a lifetime of knowledge within a half an hour. It’s truly remarkable.
It’s a common phrase used nowadays for anyone and everyone, but in this case, it rings true. Shade really does ‘bring the music to life’ on this one. This feels like a Buddhist monk who has been meditating for 100 years, becoming the perfect enlightened being, has come down after a century of prayer to share his divine wisdom and presence with the world in sonic form!
For the level of immersion and clarity that’s soaked in this album, all I can say to Shade is thank you. This is unlike any other production I’ve heard all year, and to be able to say I’m part of this level of depth and artistry? Is truly an honour.
You know, with production this flawless, you can only have the very best on this album, and that’s exactly who Shade had. Penlordz are some of the greatest in the game right now, period. Regardless of whether it’s one or all three, they all define the upper echelon of the culture, and across this record, with mostly two of them, they not only maintain their respective quality but push themselves to new heights using this production as a medium to a higher tier even for them!
We are talking about stronger vocabulary, wiser bars. Sharper instincts, and pen game. Infinite flow and creativity in their verses. You’d think after dropping consistently since the end of last year that they’d run out of topics to focus on, but they somehow manage to not only re invent but highlight new themes, issues, perspectives, and concepts in each album dropped.
If Shade is the gospel, then Penlordz are the prophets! They are the ones preaching the important scriptures of the gospel blueprint and spreading the ever-so-important message to resurrect the truth in Hip Hop and provide the younger generation with the clear path to ‘discipline, dignity, self-worth, and consistency!’
I can’t talk higher about this album if I tried. Not just because I was blessed to help close the album off but because honestly, it really is that good! The production is perfect, and the verses even more so!
You cannot afford to miss out on this one!
https://open.spotify.com/album/1p9wn8PdfWZwE7eRwKUBKd?si=KmQKOfshTU2NLecYqpWJog
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 