Tag: album review

Album Review: Audiocity – Rayne Storm

Harlem NYC’s own RAYNE STORM is back with his latest eclectic rap album ‘Audiocity’. Within a month of its release the album has gained over 60,000 Spotify streams, over 100,000 across all platforms with the momentum rising. AudioCity also reached #4 in Hip-Hop/Rap and #21 in All Genres on iTunes in the country of Bahrain off the strength of the single “Revenge” ft. Jarren Benton & Kony Brooks, a major milestone for the indie artist.

As with each of his albums, Rayne has released each song as a single with stand outs including the solo track “On My Own”, the party banger “Doin’ A Lot”, “La La La”, “Dogecoin” and myriad of other songs. Each track transitions smoothly into the next and takes you on a ride through the “Audiocity” soundscape Rayne has created. The album touches a multitude of corners in hip-hop with everything from the drill inspired song “Chill”, to lyrical story telling with songs like “Hip Hop Love”, “Dive Bar” and “Dirty 30”.

This project has something for everyone. The range of the music has a multi-generational, multi-stylistic approach and appeal. Its safe to say this is Rayne Storm’s best project to date, a well produced independent Rap/Hip-Hop album that could be a game changer for an artist who has been determined to change the game. Check it out below…

Must Listens:, Revenge, Dogecoin (Run it Up), Hip-Hop Love, La La La, Alone, Dirty 30

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Album Review: Pinky’s Boy – DeShaunJay

Coming all the way from San Antonio, rapper DESHAUNJAY delivers his highly anticipated album, ‘Pinky’s Boy.’ Weighing in at a solid 16 tracks, the project saw no previous single releases as DeShaunJay gives fans the entire album in one drop.

Jay delivers solid rhymes and clever lyrics throughout the entire album over trap-esque arrangements that are often sinisterly dark coupled with chant-like overtones. The 29 year old artist shows that he could hold his own, as he takes on each beat with confidence and ease, flourishing from the first track to the one with different flows and topics, keeping the prospective listener engaged at all times.

All in all, DeShaunJay offers up dope rhymes mixed with dope beats creating the perfect feast for those who well and truly appreciate hip-hop. Have a Listen to ‘Pinky’s Boy below…

Must Listens: Reunion, Calvin Ellis, Acrobatics, Pray For Me, On The Line, Schemin

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Album Review: L.I.F.E: The Cause – J.A.S.

I was sooo elated when South African rapper/producer J.A.S slipped me his latest album, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ – it seemed ages since he grace his presence on this blog with previous project, ‘#Don’tSleepOnJAS’, which possesses electronic/downtempo soundscapes with infectious Trip-hop beats/bass.

With this latest album, J.A.S retains the same theme from the previous project, but delving further into the downtempo route with long-term collaborators, South African singers Palesa Blossom and Nevita, who both provide a pleasingly trippy experience with their alluringly soulful vocals with tracks such as ‘L.I.FE’, ‘Controlled’ ‘Moth to A Flame’ and ‘Scattered.’

J.A.S also adds another long-collaborator, South African acclaimed rapper, Sy’Defect to the impressive album’s lineup. Among the chilled vibes of the seven-track project, Sy’Defect injects such vibrancy with his semi-rapid flow to the delicate backdrop of tracks, ‘Controlled’ and ‘Scattered.’

Overall, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ is a great escapism album to kick back with some friends and to forget about the great maze called life. Have a listen below…

Must Listen: Controlled, Words, Scattered.

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Album Review: I, The Collector – 5tash

When it comes to dropping albums, rapper 5TASH doesn’t do half measures and delivers 15 fresh tracks through his latest full-length album, ‘I, The Collector’.

Unlike to his previous set, ‘I, 5tash Banks’, which has a braggadocious presence throughout, ‘I, The Collector’ is a little more laid back in comparison, starting off with a smooth 80s soulful funk bounce with tracks like ‘Real P’ + and ‘Get Up’. This album sees the rapper experiments with laid-back trap sounds through tracks such as ‘Waisted’, ‘Steve Banks (I, The Collector)’ and ‘Movie’, where he works in his askew, gravelly flow which set him apart from his rap contemporaries.

Not what I expected from 5tash, but nevertheless it’s great to see a different side to this great rap contender. Check out ‘I, The Collector’ below…

Must listen: Real P +; Get Up!; Wvlk, P’ing! (Big Puddle); 6+6

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Album Review: The Dean And I – Dean Friedman

Sampled from Darko The Super’s 2021 album, ‘Great White Buffalo’, DEAN FRIEDMAN’s mammoth album, ‘The Dean And I’ is a compilation that can be enjoyed across generations – from the futuristic sounds of intro single, ‘You’re Such A Flirt’, to pop soulful ballads inspired from the seventies and eighties (such as Lucky Stars, Little Green Lady and Buy My Baby A Car) and also chirpy pieces (Nookie In The Mail, McDonald’s Girl and The Deli Song) that puts you in the mind of the Grease Musical, particularly ‘McDonald’s Girl’.

Covering array of topics relating to love young and adolescence, the album features coming-of-age tales ‘Don’t You Ever Dare’ and ‘Are You Ready Yet,’ which focus on the responsibilities of adulthood and the decisions we make, while ‘Rocking Chair (It’s Gonna Be Alright)’ is a positive reaffirmation that when times are bad, they’ll always get better.

‘The Dean And I’ may be 20-track long, but by no means will you not lose attention as Friedman’s high-spirited take on the aforementioned topics on the collection just displays him as one of America’s greatest songwriters around.

Released through Darko The Super’s indie label, U Don’t Deserve This Beautiful Art, ‘The Dean And I’ is now available for your pleasure.

Must Listen: Lucky Stars; Little Green Lady; Buy My Baby A Car; Let Down Your Hair

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