No Frills Reviews

JPEGMAFIA I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU

After Scaring The Hoes with Danny Brown last year, one of modern rap’s premier experimentalists returns with perhaps his most accessible album to date. Now, he’s hardly gone and made a pop-rap album, there’s still all the hallmarks of his frenzied production style, but the chaos is a little more controlled.

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KNEECAP Fine Art

Known for their fiercely pro-Irish stance, headline-making controversies, and now even a fictionalised biographical film. The second album from West Belfast trio, KNEECAP, will serve as an introduction to many, but rather than positioning themselves as statement-making provocateurs, they use this opportunity to bring themselves back down to earth.

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Bashy Being Poor is Expensive

Bashy is a veteran of the grime scene, albeit this is only his second studio album, 15 years since his first. In the meantime his star has been on the rise in the acting world under his birth name, Ashley Thomas. This return to music also acts as somewhat of a return to his roots; juxtaposing his success with his humble beginnings in an exploration of mortality, race, and structural oppression in Britain.

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Joey Valence & Brae No Hands

The question of authenticity feels like it’s been particularly pertinent in the hip-hop world this year. The question hung over the Kendrick/Drake beef and was the reason that Drake was always destined to lose. And the rise of the undeniably shit, cosplay trap of ian sparked up the old issue of white kids profiting off black culture. So, how can I justify my opinion that two brazenly goofy white kids have put out some of the most enjoyable hip-hop of the last couple of years?

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Denzel Curry King Of The Mischievous South Vol. 2

The sequel to his 2012 mixtape, sees the acclaimed Florida rapper take things back-to-basics. Featuring an all-stars guest list, from veterans like Juicy J and Project Pat to recent breakout stars, like That Mexican OT. And with a steady stream of deep, glowering bass and no-nonsense shout-along hooks. It’s a half hour celebration of hard-hitting Southern rap.

Best tunes: HOT ONE, G’Z UP, SKED, HIT THE FLOOR

Childish Gambino Bando Stone and The New World

Billed as Donald Glover’s final album under the Childish Gambino moniker, and purportedly the soundtrack to a film of the same name. If this really is the end, Bando Stone makes a fitting closing chapter for Gambino; lots of ideas, but very mixed results in execution.

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Ice Spice Y2K!

A 23 minute debut from one of the biggest stars to emerge of the last few years may seem slightly underwhelming on the surface, but it’s all the better for it, as it’s a rare case of a major label rap album not being overstuffed. This is nowhere near great, but it’s not bad either, and the short runtime means its star’s flaws aren’t too exposed.

The beats are consistently solid, albeit the production is largely uninteresting. Ice herself doesn’t seem to have much to say either (depending on how much mileage you can get out of poop bars). However, she does exude a casual charisma, with her lines nearly always being memorable (if not always in content, at least in delivery). And there’s a case to be made that “Think u the shit, bitch? You not even the fart” is 2024’s best lyric…Seriously.

Best tunes: Did It First, Think U The Shit (Fart)

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign VULTURES 2

Kanye’s personal and critical reputations have been in a near perfectly aligned decline for over half a decade now. But amidst the highly flawed mess that was VULTURES 1, there were glimpses of his old brilliance; hints that there’s still a creative genius with more to offer in spite of all his problematic antics. So could part 2 of this ambitious trilogy finally be the project to halt his artistic downfall?

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Previous Industries Service Merchandise

The debut from a supergroup of underground veterans, featuring LA-via-Chicago rappers Open Mike Eagle, Still Rift, and Video Dave. While this is their first official team-up, their connection dates back to their student years. That long-time friendship is apparent in their laid-back chemistry as they flow off one another’s like you’re hearing a shared stream of consciousness unfurling.

Service Merchandise isn’t an obviously accessible album, with barely a hook to be found, yet it’s eminently listenable. The production is hazy, and gently psychedelic, complete with the grainy buzz of analog technology. Fitting for an album that ruminates on nostalgia and aging. While it doesn’t command attention, it’s easy to get lost in. A lot of the references, to obsolete brands or half-forgotten fragments of pop culture, may go over your head. But then you’ll get hit with moments of insight and flashes of existentialism amidst the reminiscing. The sound of three children of the 80’s remembering when time moved a little slower, and the realisation that time has now caught up.

Best tunes: Showbiz, Fotomat, Dominick’s

Numbz & Furious Stylez Art Imitates Life

Numbz is a New Jersey MC, who’s rapped since his teens, before taking an extended hiatus. But since 2020 he’s been racking up projects, with dozens of releases. His latest was released this June alongside frequent collaborator, Memphis producer, Furious Stylez. It’s no game changer, but its appeal lies in love for simply being part of the game.

There’s hints of typical rap bravado (“If I’m gon’ play the game, I’m here to win it”) but Numbz is most convincing when he’s appreciating where he’s at; embracing his status as an oldhead and recognising the enormous impact he can have even on rap’s fringes. He sounds half weary, half at peace as he contemplates why he does this – “sometimes I wanna stop, but I need a release”. Stylez’ production complements the vibe; soulful and cinematic without ever being overblown.

A low-stakes love letter to the art of hip-hop.

Best tunes: Tell Em’, Good Vibes, Here To Win

Insmnc Echoes II

I think about 90% of instrumental hip-hop isn’t really worth listening to. They tend to serve a functional purpose, rather than standing as works of their own. The second in the Echoes EP series from South Jersey’s INSMNC fits into that rarer 10%.

The echoes are those of various musical traditions across world cultures. Starting in aboriginal Australia, he even makes the didgeridoo listenable. We partake in festivals and rituals through Africa, trekking across Eurasia, before getting caught up in Japanese mythology. The disparate sounds encountered along the way merge into a murky psychedelic gumbo. Where else can you go half way round the world in 11 minutes?