So, it turns out in this one incredible EP I get to listen to two of my favourite artists going right now and that’s exciting!
One is an MC who earlier this year released an album called ‘Welfare Island’ that I gave critical acclaim for in my review and is still one of the strongest albums of the year!
The other is a producer who I also reviewed earlier this year and have gone on to appreciate his unique style and take on the underground and today I get to hear both! Let’s go!
Brand new EP by MC KnowItAll and today he’s joined by producers
-q no rap name
-UrnYmac
And with just these two extra names this thing brings so many refreshing sounds and ideas that keep this a strong replay value project!
Starting with the opening track ‘CHIICKENCHEESESTEAK’ which is one of two tracks with q rap on the production and this is an absolutely glorious way to start the EP off.
We have these glowing, rnb/funk inspired bouncing chords that have such happy and relaxing vibes associated with them!
Alongside these we have these sharp synth chords in the background with a light and measuring drum pattern that is ever so subtle to help formulate this track into a quick stress fix within a track! Absolutely beautiful
Speaking of beautiful we have ‘A Vandal Plight’ which begins with this classical vocal harmony that is running through the entire song! Alongside the voice we have what sounds like 70’s disco pop that’s been manipulated and evolved into a more surreal and in depth experience for this record!
Like imagine Grease meets Daft Punk. That’s how it sounded in my ears and it became one of my favourites on the EP!
Track 3 we have ‘So Lifted/ So Gifted’ which has a more synth heavy vibe to it and a strong lo-fi-ambient vibe to it! I’m talking those long winded notes on rotation, those plucked strings ever so subtle in the background and a more traditional hip hop drum pattern to create an exact beat you’d expect from the likes of q rap (since he did produce this one)
This is a more trance-away, your mind and let it wonder type of tracks. This also features a dope performed verse by Urynmac who killed his parts!
The final track ‘ILL Degrass Tyson’ has to have the most mellow atmosphere on the whole project. This sounds like a combination of swing and jazz rolled into one. You’ve got those beautiful jazz notes that sound like you’re roaming free in an indie video game with the soundtrack playing! Had an almost folk vibe to it!
This definitely has a skeletal, bare, and minimal quality to it that I absolutely fucking adore. I love its stripped-back and surreal feel to it. You couldn’t ask for a better outro to the record!
All in all, the production is absolutely killer. With these two beat makers, I wasn’t expecting anything less!
As far as Knowitall goes, he sounds like he really does. There’s not a style or approach that he doesn’t know how to do, and it shows! While I was impressed with his in-depth storytelling and visuals on ‘Welfare Island’ on this one, I feel he’s doing vocabulary gymnastics and testing out the boundaries of his MC skills!
He sounds as confident as ever, he’s sharp lyrically, smooth with his flow, brings the same introspective and deep pen game as well as a versatile play on how he performs!
Some verses are slow and methodically paced. Some are faster and more aggressive! Some are complex in nature, and some bars are simple but straightforward!
As I said, he’s choosing this project to test himself and see what he can or can’t do, and based on this one, I’d say there’s very few (if anything) he can’t do!
Although only two verse features (by the same guy), they both have incredible chemistry and showcase a healthy synchronicity on the beat as they match each other’s energy and perform accordingly!
Overall, a brilliant short and sweet project! It’s got my type of production and bars that make me feel relaxed and comfortable, and those are my favourite type!
https://knowitall2.bandcamp.com/album/expression-chamber
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