It’s definitely been a minute since I last covered this man (in fact, I think it was back when I was still writing for Rawside Hip Hop), but regardless, I remember fucking with him heavily back then, and of course, I’d be excited to see what his new offerings would provide! So let’s talk about it!
This is a brand-new EP by MC and producer all-rounder AV-8, and he brings forth ten tracks (five normal, five instrumentals of the first five), and across this project, we hear his use of live instrumentation (which is quite rare these days), and we get to hear his organic and fresh sounds!
If we start with the production, this project has a level of depth and clarity that you don’t get a lot these days. Of course, that’s probably the effect of the live instrumentation, but still, I can’t help but glorify the smooth and infectious aspects of each of the instrumentals!
Because what I find interesting is the fact that he’s not using a lot of layers across the songs, but it’s the way he’s mastered his techniques that makes the ‘less is more’ principle shine 10x fold across this specific drop!
From that opening track ‘Push My Limits’ and those layered guitar strings, bass guitar, and drums. Such simplistic elements, yet in this track, it feels like a majestic score of a track. It had me hypnotised and mesmerised, completely consumed by the instrumental! I loved its skeletal magic and its undeniable charm and rhythm!
All the way to the final track with those wavy guitar rips that almost give a ‘surf rock’ or ‘synth pop’ quality to them. It’s refreshingly divine and feels like the warmth of a sunny day lying near the ocean! It’s beautiful!
Again, not many layers attributed to the creation of the track, but it hits just as superbly as any other song you’ll hear, and again, I attribute that to the skill and techniques of AV-8 himself!
Although I’m not normally the biggest fan of instrumental tracks added at the end, it was worth it for this record because of how well they were executed! Incredible work!
As far as the MC work goes, you can’t really go wrong when you’re out there rapping over your own beats! And in traditional fashion, as the creator of both verses and production, he goes hard!
I love how he seems to switch up his flow depending on the track! For example, on the opening track, he was a lot more fast-paced and sharp, piercing with his ridiculous flow and bars! Something in between Nas and a Big L! Non-stop line after line, clever wordplay, one-liners, you name it! (Especially since the track was only less than two minutes long.)
But on tracks like the finale, we have him slowing down and taking his time to enunciate his words and showcase a more methodical type of performance that sinks into your heart as you hear him pronounce his lines!
There are a few features on this in the form of -DrtyAnimal and -Madi Jane, and I feel they added a nice, comfortable, and extensive touch to the overall EP! Not just having features for feature’s sake but truly making them work in the grand scheme of things!
Overall, this is a fun EP! Filled with tons of colour and rhyming that can match anyone in the game right now!
https://av-8.bandcamp.com/album/redacted-reflections-vol-1
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