Bridge Of Shadows

As someone who has experienced this man’s discography post accident till now I can say with all certainty that he has not only come through the other side in rapid fashion but has confirmed to have taken a fresh new stance on his own life and career and with that comes an unmatched confidence that in his own words across this album is him ‘just getting started’ so as excited as I am let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new album by MC -Kendall Spencer and Producer -UND$ and together they drop this massive 11 track project that’s packed with over 32 minutes of pure hip hop craftsmanship that I know the culture will appreciate! -Kincee being the sole feature

When I first got into this one I was a tad bit curious to see how it would go because I only had the stand-alone single to go off which was the most ambitious he has sounded in a period. So I was thinking this might be more of the same but turns out the rest of the 11 tracks on this album sounded nothing like that single but instead we are given a glimpse into a surreal, cinematically crafted world that makes you wonder why other hip hop albums aren’t doing the same!

Right from the opening track we get a look into that beautifully designed atmosphere created by -UND$ it has this old-world nuance to it. As if we are stepping into a portal spanning hundreds of years across many different regions and utilising them into a modern-day hip-hop album.
That intro is the best example, firstly with that Asian influence that later evolved into a 1800’s Victorian era score with those looming chords and minimal drums that replicate that bleak society of time!

The second track in, -Bridge Of Shadows sounds like a night stroll through 1950’s live music. From those gorgeously harmonic Jazz horns to those glistening keys in the background and funky drum patterns that makes you picture a humble band just sitting outside a lively street just playing for the love of it!

One aspect of this album I really fucking loved is the fact it practices ‘patience’ I feel like I could bring this point up forever and never be understood by those who don’t know. When you have an album (especially of this caliber) it benefits it 10x to let it breathe, let the dynamics between the rapping and the production work hand in hand instead of one dominating the other!

In this occasion we have moments where Kendall will finish rapping around 20-30 seconds before the instrumental is over just to let the beat ride! Or even tracks such as -19 which is all just one elegant instrumental piece! And this is the harmony I’m talking about. Of course we as a culture love the rapping side but if you have a solid production factor then let it expand and linger by itself every once in a while! It’s okay to not hear vocals every second of the tape and in this case it’s done tastefully as you can ask for!

Now as I said in the intro and a lot in the last singles review I did for Kendall he has turned over a new leaf! He’s no longer the same man who lets his troubles and pain define him! He spent enough time on that period of his life with two of the most emotionally heavy albums you’ll ever hear in your life and now it’s time for a fresh start and he’s not wasting anytime!

Across this over half-an-hour journey we hear Kendall in a new, motivated, driven and passionate state! This is a mind that’s free of distractions and hauntings of the past. He sounds hungry and god it’s infectious to hear!
He glides through these instrumentals with ease! Utilising a mix of supreme lyricism, static charisma and maturity well beyond his years!

One moment he’ll be talking about the need and desire to keep his family feed, the next laughing to himself that ‘he has options now’ as if bragging that the demon that held him back for so many years has left him boundless and now he can do whatever he wants!
The thing is, despite the wordplay lane he takes whether it’s brash or personal he always sounds humble. I feel it’s his maturity and strong leadership qualities that make him sound like he’s always in control and never letting go of the wheel so to speak!

He’s like an author for a biography who is just speaking his truth. In life you have moments of reflection, possible insecurities and thoughts and sometimes you have victories and moments of pride and self-confidence! Doesn’t mean you have to sound cocky but rather a man who is just spitting facts and that’s the distinction I have with how he portrays his verses compared to the rest!

If you’ve been following this man during his darkest moments then you’ll appreciate more this beaming light! If you’re only new to this man’s music then I can guarantee you’ll love the artistry regardless! These two have incredible chemistry and Kendall who came from rock bottom ‘Trauma Centers’ to ‘Chasing Shadows’ and ‘Losses’ to being ‘rooted in his essence’ and becoming the ‘Eye of the needle’ for the hip-hop culture to now being the one who creates the ‘Bridge Of Shadows’