Robed in RarenessAlbum by Shabazz PalacesReleased 27 October 2023Experimental Hip HopLabel – Sub PopRating – 4/10 Shabazz Palaces reach a new underdeveloped low. – Ishmael Butler – captain of the good ship Shabazz Palaces – was once considered the cutting edge of experimental hip hop. Via the most surreal glitches and alt universe atmospheres, 2011’s […]
Integrated Tech SolutionsAlbum by Aesop RockReleased 10 November 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – RhymesayersRating – 7.5/10 Aesop Rock’s storytelling swagger in a nutshell. – Integrated Tech Solutions is the Aesop Rock standard-bearer, not necessarily his best, but his quintessential record that holds high all of his tricks – particularly his lauded word-count – whilst also happening […]
We Buy Diabetic Test StripsAlbum by Armand HammerReleased 29 September 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – Fat PossumRating – 8.5/10 Sweet Jesus. – While the world of abstract hip hop isn’t known to be unambiguous, Armand Hammer are one of the more cryptically-minded acts in the genre. Comprised of emcees Billy Woods and Elucid, the duo’s output […]
Faith Is a RockAlbum by MIKE, Wiki & The AlchemistReleased 22 September 2023East Coast Hip HopLabel – ALCRating – 7/10 Alchemist builds another bridge from the underground to the mainstream, a bridge made out of glorious hip hop chemistry. – I did review Voir Dire – collaborative album by Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist – […]
Another Triumph of Ghetto EngineeringAlbum by Open Mike EagleReleased 25 August 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – Auto ReverseRating – 7/10 – I’d been meaning to review Open Mike Eagle’s Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering for a while, stalling to favour other albums with the assumption that this – one of Mike’s briefer projects – is a […]
Scaring the Hoes: DLC PackEP by JPEGMAFIA & Danny BrownReleased 11 July 2023Experimental Hip HopProduced by JPEGMAFIARating – 8.5/10 The latest victory in not wanting to be desired. – As it turns out, not enough hoes have been scared, so JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown have taken it upon themselves to release the “DLC Pack” of […]
Lilac DieselAlbum by R.A.P. Ferreira & Scallops HotelReleased 18 May 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – Ruby YachtRating – 7/10 It really is looking like R.A.P. Ferreira will rap forever. – Credited to R.A.P. Ferreira and Scallops Hotel, Lilac Diesel is a limited edition mixtape released by emcee/producer/poet Rory Ferreira. A “fuck you” to streaming, the album […]
Made in LoveAlbum by BusdriverReleased 5 May 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – Temporary WhateverRating – 6.5/10 The veteran emcee’s latest is congested but irreplicable. – Busdriver has always valued rapidity (probably not the best thing for those who actually drive buses to value), applying wittily-worked fast raps to his most well-known song, 2002’s Imaginary Places, over […]
MapsCollaborative album by Billy Woods and Kenny SegalReleased 5 May 2023Abstract Hip HopLabel – BackwoodzRating – 8/10 What do you want me to do? Tell you that these two work well together? – Hiding Places – 2019 collaborative album by Billy Woods and Kenny Segal – holds up four years later as the perfect example […]
Microphone FiendAlbum by ZelooperzReleased 28 March 2023Trap / Abstract Hip HopLabel – Bruiser BrigadeRating – 6.5/10 The return of Zelooperz’ nuthouse trap. – If you think Zelooperz is just another face in today’s trap scene, your wires are so crossed, they’re starting to become a fire hazard. Fashionista, painter, candlestick taster, not only is the […]
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