As the end of the year is creeping in closer, I love seeing how different artists are preparing their finale offering. Some are putting their best foot forward, others (such as JazzyLionMan) are turning their efforts into one of the biggest collaborative efforts of the whole year! And for these two? A pair of artists who have used their own lanes to cultivate and build the culture stronger and better than it was before, and I guarantee you with this record, they are attempting to strengthen the game once more! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new collaboration project between MC Young Reese Dude & Producer SPGBamm, and together they drop a solid 8-track and 22 minutes of hip-hop that’s bound to stick in your mind long after it’s finished! An album with immense replay value!
If we decide to dissect the production first, it seems SPGB is deciding to take a turn into a more ‘hypnotic’ and ‘mesmerising’ section of the boom
Bap production. He’s utilising those minimal layers and adding his own spin and twist on them to make them stand out and leave the audience craving more!
For example, we have tracks like -LOSE MY SOUL, which has this looped chord progression that repeats in a pattern that forces you to bump your head and neck while listening!
You’ve got some incredible plucked strings as well as some light, methodical drums that all come together for a thrilling performance that’s equal parts skeletal and dramatic!
The same can be said for the track -IS WHAT IT IS. This reminds me of a modern-day Preemo track. One of the beats I’d expect to be on the Ransom album!
It’s got these super soft guitar strings on a sensitive loop that also contains these synth-style fast-paced piano keys on the chords, and of course, more subtle drums that lurk and creep all over the track!
Hell, we can even talk about -MACHINE GUN FUNK, which may be a nod to Biggie but has its own personality and flavour of its own nature! Across this track, we have some nice, thick bass strings in a pattern!
You’ve got some very light vocal harmonies as well as some more apparent and heavy drum rhythms that take a more forefront approach on this one instrumental!
SPGM is a man who has impressed me time and time again, and across this tape he blows me away with his ‘less is more’ style, which absolutely works for the MC in question here!
Of course, speaking of the MC, we have Young Reese.
This is another man that has continued to impress me over the years I’ve known him! Always one to try different avenues and concepts to his albums to always keep his performances fresh and exciting, as well as avoiding the pressure of going ‘stale’ or subpar by frequently staying ahead of the ‘stylistic curb’ so to speak and understanding what the culture wants/would benefit from at any given moment in time!
Across this album (similar to the production), he takes a more serious and patient approach with his bars. He’s not out here trying to play a young man’s game; he’s matured. He understands the importance (and value) of utilising your experience and growth to your advantage in the way you craft bars, the way you incorporate complex structures with your words, your increased storytelling abilities, and how in-depth and vivid you can make them!
All this comes with time and patience, and he’s mastered both! I love his more concentrated pacing across this tape. His lyricism is just as strong as it always is, but now every word can be felt like a brick of gold! He’s no longer wasting a breath on anything that isn’t important or relevant to the album or song he’s on!
He’s got a new vicar, he’s sharpened his vocabulary, increased his verbal assaults, and is now confident in making each verse of his have the emotional, mental, and spiritual depth that maybe even at the start of this year he wouldn’t have been able to!
Man, what a fucking impressive finale for both men. They’ve done more than enough of their fair share to the culture, and this last work is going to be one that in 10-20 years’ time will be remembered as pure art!
https://open.spotify.com/album/64bjXb8qsS4BFXihQPTbQJ?si=SmdXAcS3Q-OWcwvn6Pa3tQ
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 