I gotta say, as much as I’ve been enjoying their current ‘heel turn’ aggressive approach to their music lately, this album is such a refreshing return to their original style.
I can’t even begin to guess what number album this is by Pen Lordz, but you can guarantee regardless it’s going to be absolutely FIRE. Let’s talk about it!
Brand new album by Pen Lordz, Arsinel. This time produced by G Killa and features
-Fam Ross
-Audio Messiah
-King Androit
It’s actually quite shocking to see someone else feature on this list besides the usual crew. This feels like the ‘Let My N* Live’ track when Wu-Tang decided to feature Nas and break the exclusive Wu-Tang members-only rule.
Regardless of that, and as pointed out above, this album consists of some of the most smooth, melodic, and surreal instrumentals we’ve got from the collective in months, and it took an Arsinel album to draw that out!
From that beautiful opening track with those jazz-inspired horns, light synth chords, and RnB taps that remind me of a beat from the late 90s or early 2000s!
To that equally magnificent second track with those sticky bass lines, intricate keys, and hypnotic drum beats to wrap the whole track off!
This man, G Killa, is the real deal. He’s out here bringing back the ‘lively’ energy of hip-hop and empowering every single element until it sounds damn near cinematic.
The music really does sound the hip-hop sonic equivalent of a sunny day walking through a forest!
If I had to name my favourite beat on the album, it would have to be ‘Pay Attention’. I love that jazz fusion. You’ve got those infectious jazz horns in a loop! Accompanied by these more subtle jazz chords deep into the background alongside some sticky drums that will stay in your head for weeks on end!
As well as some light vocal harmonies that give the track that extra theatrical feel!
As far as the MC work goes, I mean, they aren’t called ‘Pen Lords’ for nothing. Whether that be Arsinel or the other two, every man is in peak condition on the mic and each delivery accordingly!
I’m talking sharp delivery, second-to-none vocabulary which includes interesting social commentary, personal beliefs, introspective thoughts, and downright bragging bars! They can do it all and in the smoothest flow you’ve ever heard!
I’ve said this plenty of times, but these guys have a level of ‘spirituality’ to their style. It doesn’t feel like normal bars but revelations or preachings! That’s why every Pen Lords album feels special because they aren’t just ‘rapping’ but manifesting their convictions and life views onto the track for everyone to hear and absorb!
Overall, another Pen Lords album I can’t recommend enough! Fantastic production combined with killer verses by everyone involved!
https://open.spotify.com/album/0MRnUoXF9J3XU40f1tdiWj?si=PHsyOKXYSduswr69KIryDA
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 