Let me start off by saying this: that album cover has to be the most WILD I’ve seen all year. Two of the most controversial figures in one photo? Unreal!
Onto more important things, I think it’s safe to say that Machacha can be given the most consistent producer of the year award! I’ve lost count of the amount he’s done so far, but I feel it’s over ten already! Working with a whole range of MC’s and even hosting a compilation record, he’s done it all this year, and he ain’t even close to being done. Even though it might be a tough call to make, this one could very well be his best record to date! Let’s talk about it!
Brand new album by the pairing of MC world Be Free and Producer Machacha. Together, they introduce twelve new tracks with the likes of
-Shottie
-Hell’z OWN
-Sucio David
– Kyhm, who all help push momentum on this already incredible record!
What’s wild is that after my first listen, my initial reaction was ‘this reminded me of GZA: Liquid Swords’. Doing my second listen, J stands by my comment. From that opening track that has the same instrumentation feel as the opening track of Swords, it delivers a fine line balance between surreal and cinematic energy as well as a disciplined and stripped-back sound palette where he gives a masterclass in the ‘less is more’ aspect in this record.
For example, on the track ‘Xena Pt.II’, we have a collection of high-pitched synth chords in rotation with some light and delicate keys and some subtle bass lines. Nothing fancy or over the top, just pure atmospheric rhythm that runs through your whole body!
The already mentioned official first rap song. With those plucked guitar strings and rock drums, with a killer guitar solo at the start that later evolves into a sticky key loop that forces you to bop your head as you listen!
I also love the fact that there’s a beat switch for the transition returning to that Spanish guitar influence!
Or even if we look at the track ‘Bachata’ which once again features heavy guitar string loops with organ-style piano keys that’s executed in such a skeletal fashion that it makes you feel the sounds in your bones!
The point in trying to prove is. If your a real producer, you know you don’t need all that fancy instruments or heavy sampling or layers to create a classic; sometimes it’s about what you leave on as much as you put in, and with this mentality, Machacha drops another ‘AOTY’ contender to add to the list!
Onto the man of the hour. This MC who I only discovered with this record is one that has definitely impressed me with his abilities on this record!
Firstly. Let’s talk about his style because he has one of the most fluent and confident personalities I’ve heard in the studio! He has perfect enunciation with his words (which I find very important), his passion is strong, and his crisp, laid-back demeanour works well across this specific production!
Another thing I love is his writing skills. He’s the type of MC that can switch between bragging bars to in-depth storytelling with heavy introspective sentences at a flip of a coin. He’s not held back to one specific style and can alternate as he seems fit!
One track he could be talking about family, the next about him running this game, and then the next a social commentary on life and how he sees it!
This means he’s a man who is always thinking, wondering, and planning. It means he’s not one-dimensional and can utilise many things to get the best result for his bars!
Also, what this album proves is that regardless of who’s on the track with him, he can maintain his stature and rap alongside some of the best going!
My favourite feature track is ‘Spanish Raymond’ which has Shottie and Hell’z OWN collaborating on the track and dropping absolute fire! This trio is a treat to hear and all under Machacha’s production? It’s a wrap at that point!
I guarantee you, this is not the album to ignore. It’s a masterclass of both production and MC work! Trust me, you will want to study this album and see what happens when two men (and company) are in their primes!
https://open.spotify.com/album/20PTismDuCl2Yby9HPNXLq?si=uYsr9w9XTb6YA2ir6jp-Pg
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 