Now, this is the vibe I remember him on! In the past week, I’ve gone through two different sides of him (both I enjoyed), but considering this is how I discovered him, it’s good to go back to what I started with! Let’s talk about it!
This is the July 28th 2024 drop by MC & Producer Donny G! For this one, he brings us an EP with five tracks, no features, just him rocking this solo with his own instrumentals. He’s one of the most underrated one-man bands!
So on this tape, we have a few variations of underground boom-bap! On track one, we have this rather hypnotic key progression that has an almost spacy vibe to it that I enjoyed. It’s combined with some heavy bass and minimal drums to give off a funky yet raw exterior! I love how on this track it starts with a fake intro, only for Donny to switch it up and show us what sound he’s really working with!
On track 2, we hear a more conscious/ambient-sounding instrumental with those atmospheric keys that are combined with those re occurring high pitch keys on a separate layer as well as some more devastating drums. Across all the tracks on here, this one sounds the most interesting, sort of like a soundtrack to a classic NES or GameCube game or something. Whatever the inspiration is, I dig it!
On track 3, we have -Weak Sauce, which despite its name is anything but! This is probably one of the more eerier-sounding tracks on the EP, those re occurring eerie chord progressions that make you think you’re in a horror film! On top of that, you have some more raw drums that are more subtle than the others but still have the required effect!
On track 4, we have a surprisingly blend of haunting and smooth! You know those unnerving moments in movies when something creepy is coming but it’s being built up? This is that but for hip-hop.
You have these distorted guitar strings, that’s combined with some heavy key chords and surreal drums! Considering I was listening and writing this at night time, this had me looking over my shoulder! Absolutely nuts
On the final track, we have the continued succession of horror-inspired tracks, more ridiculous distorted organ chords with drums! There are some very subtle and light piano keys in the deep background, but for the most part, this track is taken over by the two heavy-set layers! (I really shouldn’t have listened to this at night.)
As it was on the first full-length LP I heard by this man, he’s back on his hardcore lyricism type shit, which runs across this whole album! He’s got his methodically paced bars with sharp and violent takes with his punch-like flow and a terrifying pen game that matches this production perfectly! Of course, since he’s the one who made them, he made sure the chemistry was on point!
Across the whole tape, he shows no mercy, no signs of stopping while unleashing pure verbal carnage to match the sonic equivalent in the production. He’s ruthless, relentless, and ever so raw and upfront with his violent and unpredictable performances across this EP! He’s showcasing why he doesn’t need anyone but himself to rock a project while also giving the audience downright nightmares!
So, if you’re ready to take a blast in the past, then come check this project out and feel the power!
https://donnyghiphop.bandcamp.com/album/phone-tonez
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 