(DIVINEWISDOM)

This is a public service announcement that has to be said right off the bat. Specifically, a message to ANT:

‘That line and topic focus and play on HBK kicking Stan didn’t hit like you thought it did!’ That shit was corny as fuck, and this is coming from a massive wrestling head!! 

Anyway, back to the official review!

This is the latest album by one of the dopest up and coming MC’s out in the underground, Ant Kelly! With this latest 7-track project, we have producers such as:

– DJ Krooked

– DB

– Skip The Kid

– Ant

And 

– Monstah 357 on the features.

Now, considering this is a 21-minute project, this thing goes OFF! You can tell based on the production alone that experimental and off-the-cuff instrumentation and sample uses give this record a more dark ambient and atmospheric experience than most don’t!

If I had to compare these sounds to anyone, probably Al Divino’s latest batch of EP’s off his website. In similar fashion, these are unprecedented, unpredictable, and highly addictive and infectious beats that just stick with you long after the album is done!

None is more true (for me anyway) than the final track produced by Skip. That is one of the most interesting and memorable instrumentals I’ve heard in a minute. From those haunting piano keys, skeletal hip-hop beat, and then that fucking grand heavy organ loop that sounds like Dracula has just arrived in the building waiting to bite your neck and drain your blood! 

I couldn’t think of a better fit for the outro track, but that is perfect. It’s different and leaves an impression!

As can all these tracks, can be! I love how all these producers are focused on providing an unforgettable listening score that you won’t find anywhere else! Definitely sonically has to be my favourite Ant album so far!

Now, onto the MC himself. Although he failed miserably in making a tough aura on ‘IJUSTKICKEDSTAN’ as far as his MC skills go, he has shown rapid improvement and actually a switch-up in his earlier material (at least this first project I ever heard of his).

I remember back a few months ago he was sounding like the next era NEMS in his bully rap lyricism but now he’s become someone who has developed a solid pen game with fluent flow, intriguing wordplay and a skilled rhythm across the tracks! Not sure what happens but I’m loving this progression!

Across these 7 tracks he’s like a human AK-47 just going off barely stopping to take a breath. Just spitting bars after bars, clever puns, one liners and comparisons that leaves the audience impressed with his level of performance, confidence cadence and enthusiasm across the songs he’s on!

He’s always the one with the infinite energy, always trying to outdo himself and do better than he did before and each album is different in their own way. I love his chemistry over these more avant grande type beats and I feel it suits him organically!

Overall, as I find myself saying after every new album this is my favourite Ant yet! The production is ridiculous but right up my alley! The verses are precise and dope and everything comes together perfectly!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2sv8yZfUYPtt1XGyzt7XZG?si=Yld4gKoDSwqUzyXlYm-LtQ