Now, this is quite the interesting full circle for me. It was their last collaboration effort that had me rediscover both these men! Flu and Jamal! So in a way this is a fun turn around that I can’t wait to get into! So let’s talk about it!
This is the brand new record between as above mentioned Producer Flu (from Australia) and MC Jamal Gasol. Together they dropped a fresh batch of 7 songs that feature the likes of
-UFO DEV
-Daniel Son
I must say, I’m really enjoying the more recent ‘Less is more’ series I’ve been seeing with only a few names per project rather then a whole group of names! Makes for a more intimate listen!
Now, as far as the production goes. I was left very happy and satisfied (pause) at the state of sounds Flu decided to run with. This was marketed as a ‘Halloween’ vibe record and it definitely lives up to that hype! You’ve got unnerving variations of boom Bap running rampant across this project! A few of my favourite beats were
‘Resurrection’ where it has those melodic piano keys accompanied by those heavy bass lines and gritty drums that feel like a heart attack to listen to!
I love the contrast of ‘heavy and light’ this track provides and is the perfect track (as they all are) for Gasol to go off on!
Another one of my favourites is ‘Killer Run’ this is the track with Daniel Son but it’s the beat itself that stood out to me! It has this 80’s Twin Peeks vibe to me.
With those creepy guitar strings, those glossy keys in the background as well as that bass and violin that forces itself into track and provides a strong aura for the song.
There’s also a light vocal sample here that’s deep in the background that also provide a good ‘eerie’ feel because it can almost be mistaken as screams! Just like in a horror film.
Flu has been MVP for 2025 with my favourite of his production so far being his work with P-Ro ‘Used Crayons’ but this holds a stronger contender for some of his best work! It’s cinematic yet minimal and beautifully woven piece by piece, it’s good to see Flu back especially when he’s as good as he is!
Now, what can I say about Jamal that I haven’t said across all my other reviews of him. This man is criminally underrated (pun intended) and he has time and time again released some of the best and compelling records the culture has seen and yet I struggle to see him on many lists and that doesn’t sit right with me considering his talent.
Across this project, he out did even himself with his performances. He embraces that heavy, horror filled flow to a tee, making his own verses , cadence and rhythm as dark and brooding as can be and I love it.
He sounds intense as fuck across this record, he’s ruthless, cunning, ever so vivid and to the point that it’s addictive.
Talking about the culture as it stands, the reality of the images portrayed by certain rappers. His own life and problems as well as his one standing he’s an open book about his thoughts and feelings and it makes for great content on the mic.
He feels like a man possessed across this project, not worried about image or popularity but in speaking the truth and being as down to earth as possible and because of this he’s never sounded better!
He’s able to hold his own with the best of them and that’s exactly what happens when he pairs up with the legends UFO FEV and Daniel Son. Two heavy hitters who could massacre any lesser man on the mic but not Jamal, this man experienced, trained and ready to stand beside and against anyone and those tracks prove it!
If you think you’ve heard either Flu or Jamal before you ain’t heard nothing yet. They’ve decided to end the month with a BANG and it’s a shot that everyone will feel and hear!!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ojjiCbv1kVkWWDH5IVmcA?si=FxoNExjqSmiWNop2-5LcRg
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 