(Chakras)

As I sit here on my work lunch break, I think to myself how grateful I am to be in a situation where I’m discovering so many new talents day to day. My horizon continues to expand, and today that’s in regards to these two men who absolutely kill their craft and make me realise just how goated the underground really is! So let’s talk about it.

This is the brand-new EP by MC Leo Laru$$o and Producer Stoic, and together they drop this three-track EP that has more heart and soul into it than most full-lengths. With contributions from

-Deyana Janae

-Hxrley Danielle

-Sincere Silk

-Tony Spitz

-Kid Bizarre 

-JUL

And I can’t even front I was not expecting this level of excitement in this EP. I wouldn’t say it’s hard to impress me, but you get to a certain position after over 1k reviews where you feel you’ve heard everything before. But this EP has flipped that all on its head and pumped life and creativity into the heart of the culture!

Let’s talk about that first track! This is probably my favourite track on the whole EP. The first thought I had was this reminds me of prime 2000’s Snoop Dogg back when he had that untouchable back-to-back era of soulful, lively cuts such as

-Beautiful

-Perfect

-Signs etc

I felt that same level of charisma on this one! You’ve got those angelic vocal harmonies by Deyana who honestly has showcased the best song vocals I’ve heard all year! The way she carries the song all the way from the start, middle, and even helps shift the last parts to the end of the song, man, I could listen to her for hours!

There’s a separate vocal choir style layer that loops throughout the track accompanied by some luscious keys and deep bass with some light drums!

On the second track, we have -Privacy which shows a more melodic and harmonious vibe with those gorgeous delicate piano keys accompanied by some slick plucked bass strings and rhythmic drum patterns!

There’s also some more vocal harmonies that loop subtly throughout the track! A more minimal track compared to the first but equally as vibrant!

On the third track -Abundant we hear the crew go off in this mix of experimental x soul. Think early Odd Future era Frank Ocean type beats! It’s spacey and engulfing in your mind. You’ve got those infectious strings and heavy drums! And those vocals remind me of that Odd Future influence which I fucking love because that was my shit back in the day so I admire the homage paid (even if not done directly)

I also love JUL’s singing on this track, absolutely NAILED THE VOCALS! 

When we discuss the vocal contributions, that’s another aspect that shines bright because Leo and the other names involved all have so much passion, heart and charisma that it leaks out all over the EP and you can’t help but be caught in it’s appeal!

He’s not just rapping, he’s manifesting his vivid imagination and story telling on these three songs! 

He’s the type of guy who could literally bring art to life with his voice. I love his sharp yet witty performances, his nack for personality and colourful expressions! I can’t really describe it properly without you hearing it yourself but he has this vibrancy about him that just makes you want to support and listen to whatever he has to say! Not many artists have that and he’s definitely one of them!

Another aspect I love which I feel alot of people will miss is that it seems he’s not focused on taking centre stage and he lets everyone on the team have their moments and shine. It feels like everyone from the singers to the other MC’s have just as much spotlight as he does and that level of selfishness is fucking rare! 

Even on other albums where there are features it still feels like the main MC’s album. On this one it feels like a team effort and man that is so fucking awesome! Literally Odd Future energy! You don’t understand how much I love that!

In saying that on the second track, the opening verse by Hxrley SHE KILLED IT! And then the rest effortlessly follow! This cypher style track doesn’t feel forced it feels naturally crafted, the spirit is high on that one!

Man, if you’re gonna listen to ANY EP this year I really hope it’s this one. Because it’s fucking out of this world. You have to hear it to believe it! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/44vvUysYGT7JwzLV5t7jdG?si=CsAS5lNWSCqXXBV5z06OBQ