It’s as simple as this. When it comes to album creativity and execution, I can’t find anyone to put next to Maze. Since I first discovered him with his ‘KOMPLEX’ album, he’s done nothing but shock, impress, and blow me away.
Every album tells a different story and is arranged a different way from the rest, and this album is definitely no exception. As usual, Maze dropping what could easily be ‘AOTY’, we have to talk about it!
Brand new Maze overlay. This time rocking with one of the dopest producers around in Fumes The Threat! Together, they drop nine tracks with one feature in ‘Tay Da Crown’.
And I could tell this thing was going to be phenomenal from the opening track alone, with that absolutely incredible sample of ‘Wayward Son’ by Kansas. That set the tone for the whole record and the vibe we would be expecting for the rest of the eight tracks!
I honestly think Maze couldn’t have chosen a better producer than Fumes to make this record! !because I can’t think of many others who can engage in that ‘cinematic, theatrical’ and surreal instrumentals the way he can! He’s the king of it! Anything he’s on automatically sounds larger than life in execution!
This album is an eerie and mysterious take on the underground hip-hop scene. With elements such as jazz, boom bap, 90’s rap, classic rock, funk, and more! As usual, Fumes is giving a masterclass in fusion and mastery of the various elements and influences in creating one of the most hypnotic and fundamentally sound hip-hop records we’ve had all year!
Of course, we can’t forget the efforts of Swab across this album as he’s one of the main driving forces in the quality of the record! Whenever he’s on the cuts or production, you’re bound to get a classic and real one. Know the history between Maze and Swab as they have a chemistry that stands the test of time, and that history repeats itself on this, and Swab brings to life the essence, colour, and character of this already vibrant record!
Both Fumes and Swab together are a match made in heaven, and it’s one I need more of!
As far as Maze goes, he’s going out of his way to create one of the strongest and most interesting conceptual efforts we’ve heard all year. Every one of these nine tracks is a story told from the perspective of Maze.
Everything from the storytelling, the introspective bars, the methodical flow, and the aura he’s drenching the tracks with makes this less of an ‘album’ but more a short-length film with a fantastic score to die for.
I love how natural and in control Maze sounds across this album. He’s committed and in his element in bringing this visual novel to life, and as the main character in the story, he deserves an Oscar for his performance!
As usual, his pen game is superior to most! His flow is untouchable, and his energy and charisma are immense!
He’s out here repping and putting Arizona on the map by going above and beyond with each and every release, whether that be incredible straightforward hip-hop albums or immersive short novels come to life (and everything in between). This man has a special talent in making sure every single release is grand, precise, unique, and above all, quality!
This is an album I know I’ll be on for months to come. It’s an incredible chemistry between Maze, Fume, and Swab that screams ‘modern-day classic’, and I hope we can get more of these three together in the future!
https://mazeoverlay.bandcamp.com/album/wayward-son-2
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