One lesson I’ve been forced to learn over the year is this: The more frequently I review an artist, the more subpar my write-ups become because I catch myself repeating a lot of the same points, and I don’t want to do that. Especially when it comes to this man! He deserves proper recognition and appreciation, and so I want to make sure on the projects I do cover that they are BANGING! Let’s go!
So, this is the brand-new album by MC Gustavo Louis and Producer GLXCCNXRRIS, and together they drop a new batch of eight tracks, and this time around, I feel we see a more ‘paced and focused’ Gustavo than I have in a minute!
Don’t get me wrong. Any performance by him is always more high-energy than most, always trying to outdo the competition with his enhanced charisma and personality that leaves every track feeling more infectious than the last.
But on this one, I feel a sense of ‘calmness & methodical’ pacing attached to these verses and bars. It’s as if he purposefully wants to take it slower to really let the words seep into the listener and make sure the stories he’s telling, his experiences, and his current thoughts on life and the future are fully felt by the audience. Granted, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard him equip himself with this more ‘subdued’ approach, but again, since we are talking about Gustavo, even a more laid-back version is still tons more vibrant than most in the game right now!
His worldly feels richer, his sense of precision with his delivery feels sharper, and I love the subtle callbacks to classic songs, such as is the case with the song -99 GRAMS, which features a clear throwback to the Jay-Z song -99 Problems, or the song -STRANGER THANGZ, which is obviously inspired by the hit tv show ‘Stranger Things’
overall throughout the record, he tests just how vivid and versatile he can make his street poetry across these cinematic tunes, and I feel they came out absolutely fire!
Speaking of the production, we have a new player (at least to me) in -GLXCCNXRRIS, quite a handful of a name to type but one that brings an absolutely theatrical score to the table that properly suits Gustavo’s more wild and brash characteristics!
For example, we have the song -DELTA FORCE, which opens the track off. In this track, we have a combination of those swaying chord progressions, plucked strings, super light and minimal drums, as well as some glistening keys that go off in the background of the track! A truly masterful track!
We have the track -STRANGER THANGZ, which has a more groovy, synth feel to the beat with those funky bass strings, gorgeous keys, those lavish synth chords deep in the background, and those funk/soul reminiscent drum patterns that’s ever so hypnotic!
Let’s discuss the track -99 GRAMS (out of respect to Hov, we gotta talk about his inspired track), and on this one, it’s just as smooth with a classical spin to it! You’ve got those orchestral-style chord progressions that loop across the whole song in this angelic presence! On top of all that, we have these mesmerising drum beats and some extra layered chord progressions in a more sharp and high-pitched tone!
Look, these two have incredible chemistry that can’t be ignored! And for only $8 USD, you can support the two and hear the score for yourself!
https://gustavolouis.bandcamp.com/album/the-octagon-ft-glxccnxrris
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