Calliope Music Review of the Week
Armand Hammer - BLK LBL
Begrimed Abstractness Uncovers the Soot of Experimental Hip Hop
A dark counterpoint to 2022's WHT LBL, BLK LBL finds its sound in needle-ridden alleyways, mossy graveyards, and a damp cityscape only lit by the occasional phone screen. A myriad of producers take turns building the scene through off-kilter beats and a all-powerful, reverberated darkness. Slow tempos guide soft drums, electronic blips, and wiry synth leads through a pervasive minimalism, emphasizing the dreary waters the two rappers operate in.
As per usual, Elucid and billy woods' lyricism is surreal, continuing to paint vivid pictures of depression through masterful metaphors and eclectic iconography. Here, several central themes are used to communicate an all-encompassing gloom, most notably woods' deep descriptions of social class and isolated living, along with Elucid's ceaseless spiritual analysis of the world. Although the duo isn't able to deliver as many lines that really stick as some of their previous records, their poetic impact remains inevitable.
Similarly, several instrumentals fail to uphold to recent standards, locked by their minimalism. Markedly on the A-side of the album, the cold brushes of synth and weak sampling make for a directionless void looking for a way out of its own darkness. Fortunately, the B-side delivers as more familiar producers enter the fold, giving an uncanny energy through anomalous samples, and more involved drum beats.
Although the first half of the record lacks in some areas, BLK LBL is consistent in its tone and message. Elevated by the two MCs' unearthly, yet intimate wordplay, a ghastly aura imbues the listener to take a step into that dread-sewn city.
Best Tracks: Fulgurite -- Girl Dinner -- Ox Blood -- Zaire -- Ice Cups -- Drowning Machine -- Tupac Jackets (OG Mix) -- Busta in '97
7/10
See Website For More Reviews: Calliope Music
Comments
Post a Comment