Man, seeing this man’s name back on an album brings me back to 2025. There was a time where I tried my best to cover each ‘Penlordz’ drop, but I noticed that when I cover an artist too regularly, my review quality dropped, and I didn’t want to do them like that, so I took a break, but they surely didn’t! I loved watching them shine and progress, and it seems this time they come quipped with one of the dopest producers out! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new album by MC Fam Ross & Producer/MC Ice Fang, and it comes with names like
– Arsinel
– Audio Messiah
Of course, as per usual, maintaining that old-school Wu-Tang mentality with only features from the brotherhood!
If we take a look at the MC work, we hear Fam Ross sounding as exquisite as ever. He’s been forever growing and strengthening his ‘Arsinel’ until he became the culture’s ‘audio messiah’ or AKA ‘The Pen Lord’, and on this one, he’s sharp enough to knock down any opponent! To hear his chemistry and vast differences between the likes of Ice, who has a more fast-paced, energetic, and impactful game, while Fam has that trademark thoughtful, powerful, and intelligent personality that he utilises throughout his bars!
Although the album is only 22 minutes in length, he doesn’t waste a single second. Fam Ross is back on his no-nonsense shit. He’s always maintained that spiritual and preacher qualities when he raps. None shows that more strongly than on the songs -THE ILLEST or -Foggy Mist, where we hear Fam Ross accompanied by his long-standing brothers in the music game in the Penlordz!
I once hailed them as the king trio, and I don’t think that’s changed! They read each other’s minds and act accordingly. What’s impressive for me is to hear Ice and how he handles himself amongst the full power of the mighty Pen Lordz, and he does really well!
He has enough originality to not sound like a carbon copy of the guys, and he lays down his own batch of smooth and clean lines of wordplay that match the atmosphere of the track! I was very impressed!
Speaking of atmosphere, I was surprised to see that the majority of the album is jazz-based! I’ve heard Ice utilise a whole range of different influences and sounds, but nothing quite like this. This might be his most smooth yet, and he helps create an entire score of relaxing harmonies and eccentric melodies that make you feel like you’re walking through a secluded forest on a bright, sunny day, happy and at peace!
There’s a level of fluency between each second of the 22 minutes! Rather than feeling like nine individual songs, it’s as if it’s one long one that’s cut into nine parts. Similar effect as what Marvin Gaye did on ‘What’s Going On’, how the whole project is so closely linked with the ones that come before and after, and that’s the same vibe I get across the board!
If I had to name my favourite track on the record, I’d have to say -Wee Hours. This one spoke to me! Those glistening piano keys, plucked chord progressions, and those infectious jazz horns that tuck subtly into the background! It’s all so angelic and gorgeously executed!
A pairing I wasn’t expecting but one that I can’t unhear now! I love how Ice Fang went out of his usual comfort zone and tried his hand at a record that could easily be one of the most memorable of the year so far! Shoutout to Fam Ross and the pen Lordz for their respective efforts! Link below!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Yi4OnntSuNc7LwPA5I5JP?si=qDpqzGXrQZuJdb63BcW93g
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 