One of my favourite aspects of doing these reviews is watching certain artists and producers thrive and evolve. The rare ones you’ll notice with every release, every drop get sharper, master their techniques bit by bit and eventually become perfect.
I understand that’s a strong word and that’s why I don’t use it often, but in this scenario, I feel it’s only fitting to describe a producer who has spent the past five years creating everyone’s favourite albums and now he’s back to prove just how far he’s come. Let’s talk about it!
So, this is the latest collaboration project between super producer Wino Willy of Grilchy Party and Backwoodz own ‘FOHDH Matthew’ who is an MC from Philly who has spent the past few years making waves in the underground scene and now has decided to work alongside one of the best producers in the world right now for his 13-track extravaganza!
Now, listeners will immediately tell that this production is darker, more surreal and muddy than he normally cares to go! The closest I could think of to this sound would have been his EP for Pro Dillinger ‘Dirty Work’ but even then that pales in comparison to how methodical and devastatingly powerful this album feels!
To me, this sounds like a combination of Soul, Jazz and Classical influences turned evil. So imagine those beautiful genres and instrumentation but manipulated and deformed to such a gritty extent that you’re left with an introverted representation of the usual ‘upbeat and joyful’ sounds and replaced with ‘doomed, depraved and dirty’ takes on the same genres.
But when it comes to Wino. He never leaves things in their base forms. Every single beat and instrumental regardless of the form, pitch or direction he has the trademark tendency to elevate every sound to a grand scale. With his production, you ain’t just listening to an album, you’re witnessing ‘an experience’ and that’s the effect his music has on people.
Considering he has this effect on more traditional hip-hop beats, can you imagine what sinister work he could pull off when he taps into his inner ‘Backwoodz’ vibe? When the ceiling is removed from the heights he can reach and also how deep he can dig his abyss.
This album sounds unlike anything he’s done before. The piano keys sound heavier, the chords are harrowing and nightmare-adjacent. The strings are plucked in such a disturbing way it sends chills up spines.
When I think of Wino I can’t help but remember that cliché phrase people use about the Japanese ‘They are just like us, only more so.’
Yes, there are many producers in the game right now, but Wino Willy is just like them ‘only a lot fucking more so!’
Now, onto the Backwoodz Studios Philly Star. The man who has caught the attention of labels and lyricists alike. Why? It’s because of performances like this that put him in the same conversation as the likes of
-Billy Woods
-Curly Castro
-ARMAND HAMMER
These three names alone have gained legendary status as storytellers and writers who have maintained the integrity and spirit of conceptually driven lyricism and are always in their own rare lane that very few have the luxury of entering alongside them.
But now we have another addition. This man’s talent is simply amazing.
He has an absolutely beautiful and overwhelming ability to tell stories. I feel like a kid sitting by a campfire as he instructs us on events, stories, and personal experiences. The way he can command the room and have everyone hanging on his every word is unreal.
He has that natural spirit and enthusiasm for the game that’s expressed through his cold, calculated, and thoughtful approach to his wordplay, lyricism, and incredible vocabulary that feels endless throughout this whole album.
Each song feels like its own mini audio movie. Within the space of two to three minutes, he can portray a narrative so detailed, in-depth, and engaging that it feels like I’m listening to a short story audiobook series. If there wasn’t music behind this album, I’m sure he could sell out the spoken word section on reading apps.
His flow across the beats is precise and fluent. Never an awkward moment or choppy transition between beats; he’s on a singular wavelength the whole way through, and he’s maintaining his passion, grip on the audience, and spectacular verses one after the other, never a bland breath uttered.
This is a match made in heaven! These two have a chemistry that most can only dream of, and both are rare talents in their respective fields that, when combined, make for the most deadly duo!
https://open.spotify.com/album/5zboXPKciZft94EjP5o4jV?si=QyVsILcXQpaKDR1YycwSMQ
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