Album Review: Vincent//Deconstructed by Uncle Mic Nitro

 

Vincent//Deconstructed

By

Uncle Mic Nitro

 

It was way back in 2021 when I kicked off that year’s reviews with the original Vincent On Horseback from the talented emcee Uncle Mic Nitro, who just happens to hail from my home city of Southampton, here in the UK. I never thought then that the best part of five years later would see me reviewing a remixed version of the album Vincent//Deconstructed.

Well, this is not strictly a remixed version of the original album as the original has been deconstructed and then six of the original tracks heave been remixed, alongside two brand new tracks and, if you grab the digital, there is also a remix of one of those new tracks as well.

Alongside the changes with this album, which is being released through Empty Hand Records, a hot new label located on Australia’s Gold Coast run by Speaks, and whose debut release was Highrize Jamz by Speaks himself (One I don’t currently have sadly), the tracks remixed from the original still feature the likes of Greg Blackman, Joe Burn, Ced Gee (Ultramagnetic MCs), Ramson Badbonez, Micall Parknsun, and Klashnekoff. There are cuts from DJ Tones, Jabbathakut, Krash Slaughta and Outbreak, with production coming from Speaks, Djar One, Krash Slaughta, Ollie Cheebo, Ollie Knight (who also handles mixing and mastering), the legendary DJ Supreme (Hijack), and Uncle Mic Nitro himself. It is all rounded off, once more, with artwork from the one and only John Dyer.

With all that said, let’s not hang around and just dive straight in…

 

First up is Write, which features Greg Blackman and is here in the form of the Speaks Remix. Here the sound is an infectious upbeat vibe, with a soulful edge which is extenuated by Greg’s vocals, that makes you want to move every ounce of your body. The message within this one is still the same as the original, with its reflective edge, looking back on life and the many moments that ignite the passion within UMN to put pen to paper, because the time is right to just write. The deeply personal edge to this one means that, even while you are enjoying the music, you can still relate to every word, something that may well ignite your own personal passion to do something to express that. Such an upbeat start to the album seems to wipe the slate clean of any expectations, and you don’t have to wait more than a second or two before UMN keeps it going with Snap Your Neck (Speaks Remix). This time Speaks gives us pounding beat that is backed by synth vibes giving this that kind of heavy bounce and pound the air vibe. DJ Tones brings the doubled-barrelled cuts with Joe Burn joining UMN on the mic. This one is a blistering display of vocal ferocity, one that hits you with such force that it threatens to snap your neck while you are bouncing and enjoying every second. Before you can take a breath and recover its time for Bod Gets Slapped Up (Djar One Remix) featuring Ced Gee and Ramson Badbonez. Flowing the Ced Gee intro, Djar One gives us a heavy rock guitar infused sound that is sure to see Bod get pounded rather than slapped. Our three emcees take turns to deliver the type of lyrical devastation that comes when you unleash this calibre of emcees. This one takes bod slapping to a whole new level hitting your ears with the kind of wordplay and delivery that has your adrenaline levels soaring, and every verbal hit that is delivered is matched by the razor sharp delivery from Djar One, who is also on the cut here.

As you try to recover from that onslaught, Speaks returns with the Fuck You (Speaks Remix) which also features cuts from Outbreak. Keeping that Coming to America sample, Speaks brings a solid boom bap sound with a funk fuelled edge from the guitars and keys, making sure to keep the adrenaline levels amped up. The original had this almost Hip Hop opera vibe to it, and while this one retains and echo of that, the sound brings a far rawer edge. UMN delivers his own homage to Hip Hop and being a rapper. That line ‘Two Turntables and a Mic’s like all I Need’ seems to say it all with that rapper’s braggadocio mixed in with explicit wordplay gives you all you need to know right here. As you pick yourself up off the floor, its time to get transported to a whole to world for the New Planet Goons (DJ Supreme Remix), featuring Micall Parknsun, Klashnekoff and Jabbathakut, this one brings a heavy beat with bass and some jazzy elements that all merge together at the hands of DJ Supreme to bring a sound that vibrates through your whole body, separating you soul from your earthly being. You drift off as the vocals take you off to the etheric realms where memories, thoughts and dreams all fuse together making you wonder exactly where you are but, you just allow yourself to go with it, flow with it, because this is a far better place to be than the three dimensional world you just left. You come back from this waking dream to the first of the brand new tracks from Uncle Mic Nitro. Heavy Tusk (Krash Slaughta Original Mix) brings a solid and heavy banging sound that has vibe that draws you in, uncapping the levels of adrenaline you can experience, getting you back up and bouncing with reckless abandon. UMN delivers another devastating display  of his lyrical dexterity. This one has a battle rap edge to it too as it hits you with blistering pace and some heavy nature infused wordplay that leaves you impaled by a ton of ivory.

We finally reach the last of our remixes from the original album with Keep Drinking (Eyes Like Dolls Remix) which has a heavy house vibe to it, giving you the kind of sound that you can really see being a proper club sound that gets everyone moving. Here UMN unleashes a no holes barred look at the effects of the use of alcohol and illicit substances to shut out the darkness and bring some level of momentary enjoyment to a tough life. The sound here completely changes my view of this track from the original. There are elements that reflect from that initial interpretation, but here we see how so many use substances, in many forms, to escape what life brings but, ultimately reality catches up with you. Up next, if you have the physical version of the album, is final album track and the second of the new tracks. Cake or Death (Cheebo Original Mix) sees Ollie Cheebo give us a sound that has a heavy pounding beat with this eerie backdrop of strings and keys that gives this one a dark edge, making you want to listen and understand what this one is all about. UMN weaponizes the mic here as he mixes battle rap and rap braggadocio into a raw and explosive display of wordplay, flows and lyricism that shows just how good of an emcee he is. This is one to enjoy and punch the air too as the shear level of vocal mastery is a pleasure to behold. Now, just to round things off, with the digital version of the album comes the Cake or Death (Nappa Remix) what this one does is take a number of instantly recognisable samples, mix them up and give us an upbeat sound that completely changes the air of the track. This remix takes the heavy battle rap edge and flips it to this upbeat sound that has you nodding your head, grinning from ear to ear as you bounce around having a great time just enjoying every line…

 

After listening to this album, top to bottom, there are two things that become clear to the listener, well, if you choose to listen intently, and if you know the original Vincent album…

Firstly, The album is a rock solid display of just how much of a talented emcee Uncle Mic Nitro truly is. As I noted with the original Vincent review, UMN is one of those UK emcee’s who has cemented his place within the scene and possesses a lyrical prowess that is second to very few on the scene. What is also apparent here is that he does not try and saturate to scene with releases that push who he is, settling for quality over quantity, which is something for me that works so well. There is no need to drop release after release to prove your expertise, when a release or two per year, or in UMN’s case, every few years, can demonstrate how good you are, if gives a lot more anticipation of the quality than when you release something every month. Uncle Mic Nitro is definitely one of those emcees who has the quality of wordplay and delivery that puts a rubber stamp on all they do.

The second thing that is immediately apparent here is that remixing tracks can so often revitalise and almost reinvent them. We see here how those tracks from the original that have been remixed for the project, have their vibes changed quite vividly, allowing the listener to listen again, gaining further insights into each. We also see just how much vibes can be changed when you look at the original and the remix of Cake or Death.

Giving us two brand new tracks also adds a little extra to the album, giving you something new to look forward to for the maestro on the mic, UMN. This breaths new life into Vincent and gives him a new world to explore, therefore giving his listeners new music to enjoy along the way. All the production fits so well with the vocals and those cracking feature verses, that it leaves us nothing, we can’t enjoy.

Everything here is top notch. The producers bring old tracks into the present with some solid reinterpretations that give us a new look, and a new wat enjoy these tracks. The new tracks add another dimension to things, giving us something new to enjoy and leaving us with an air of anticipation that perhaps Uncle Mic Nitro is not done yet.  

This is a cracking second release for the fledgeling label Empty Hand Records, and one that shows that they are well on the way to making themselves a force in releasing good music, regardless of whether it is Hip Hop or another genre entirely.

 

Vincent//Deconstructed, due some delays, is released on 18th January 2026 with some limited vinyl copies available, so don’t sleep on these, Pre-Orders are now live.

Huge thanks to James at Empty Hand Records and Uncle Mic Nitro for giving me the chance to bring you my take on this.

 

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve.   

LINKS

Pre-Orders open now here:

https://emptyhandrecords.bandcamp.com/album/vincent-deconstructed

Uncle Mic Nitro Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/unclemicnitro/

https://www.facebook.com/unclemicnitro

Empty Hand Records Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/emptyhandrecords

https://www.instagram.com/emptyhandrecords/

VIDEOS

Write (Speaks Remix)

 

 

 

 

EP Review: Kemz The Astral Being by Kemetstry X Micall Parknsun

 

Kemz The Astral Being

By

Kemetstry X Micall Parknsun

 

It’s been around twelve months since Kemetstry was last featured on the blog. His latest release is Kemz The Astral Being, an EP that is four tracks deep and fully produced by the legendary figure of Micall Parknsun, who also features on the EP, alongside a feature from Anyway Tha God.

Now this one was released back at the end of September and is the third in the Kemz series of releases. The previous being Kemez The Atlantean (2022) and Kemz The Alchemist (2024), both of which have been reviewed here, so check the hyperlinks.

Being as I have featured Kemetstry a few times on the blog, I won’t make you wait with a long intro. So, lets get straight into it…

 

We begin our journey beyond this mortal realm with Astral Beings (spray out) featuring Anyway Tha God. Parky brings us a sound that fits with the etheric energy as the heavy beat is backed by keys and percussion that has you floating out of body. Kemz and Anyway Tha God bring us some cerebral wordplay that seems to speak to you beyond this three dimensional existence, directly to your soul. The narrative appears to speak with a viewpoint that looks back at lives past, giving you pointers on how to live a better life before progressing to the life beyond. With that thought in mind, Micall Parknsun joins Kemz on vocals for Lighten Up Ya Soul. Here the beat is backed by synth sounds that keep us floating through that etheric realm. This one brings a soulful edge to the lyrics, and one speaks directly to your mind, here in the 3-D world by inviting you to step away from darkness that exists around you and connect with your soul, your energetic or light-being self, which comes from a place of unconditional love. This is where you can find your true self in a place where darkness takes a back seat.

Once you have found your true self the trick is then to Stay In The Light. Parky brings a powerful beat that is backed by keys and a vocal sample that has an angelic feel, lifting you up and bringing a truly euphoric air. This one really seems to look at the eternal battle between light and dark and how our lives, so often move between experiences that keep us in the light or see us in shadow. Those shadow times can be unexpected or even of our own doing, and what is important is to know when the shadows fall upon us and to make that conscious decision to move back to and stay in the light. The EP ends with Road and Postcode (R&P), here piano notes back a proper head nod beat, giving you a reason to move and listen to the lyrics. There is proper reason to listen close to the lyrics here as Kemz brings an important message, one that is as pertinent right now but, is something you could have said forty years ago, and it would still hit the same. The road and the postcode say where you are from, and so often that could well make you a target. When I was growing up in Southampton, that meant going to Portsmouth was a risk but, also just walking half a mile down the road put you in a postcode that meant you were in the Weston area, and if you were from Sholing, might become a target. These days you won’t just get chased, now we live in a society where knives and guns are a very real risk, but the message here is to think before you act and don’t do anything that could come back on you or those closest to you. It is a very real message to stop the violence, and not just here in the UK, but the world over too.

With an EP, it can often be hard to pack so much into a few tracks, but here Kemestry shows that if you have the right vison, you can do just that. Here he shows that intelligent wordplay is the keys to helping the listener to be open minded as to what they can hear within the music they are listening to. His deep cerebral lyricism brings a spiritual edge goes beyond just telling someone a message. Here he takes you beyond your current understanding, speaking not just to your mind but, to your soul. There just seems to be this unconscious aspect to the words you hear and their delivery that makes them touch you on a whole different level, one you are not immediately aware of. That is enhanced by the etheric nature of sound that Parky brings with deep soulful sounds that appear to move your awareness to a whole different plane, fitting so well with what Kemz is delivering with his lyrics.

I am all for promoting Hip Hop that hits on different levels, while still delivering a positive message in away that speaks to you on a truly deep level and I found that Kemz and Parky have really seemed to have nailed that vibe. Everything about this one, from Kemetstry’s lyrics to Parky’s production, and the guest artists, all just exudes that sense of deep positive alignment with the true nature of the universe.

The Kemz series has taken us to some exotic places and some that have a very occult nature but, they have always had a very positive outlook, especially one in lifting you up and evolving your awareness of the true nature of things; and Kemz The Astral Being is no different. I mean, you can’t go wrong in aligning yourself with legendary Micall Parknsun, and alongside Kemetstry, they have brought to live another chapter in the Kemz series that focuses that positive, uplifting vibe, to a finer point, and one that makes you wonder if this is last in that series or if Kemz still has more to say in pointing you towards a more elevated vison of the self…

Kemz The Astral Being is out on digital and strictly limited physical copies, so don’t sleep on this one.

I’ll be seeing ya…

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy here:

https://spidalee.bandcamp.com/album/kemz-the-astral-being

Kemetstry Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/kemetstryOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/kemetstry_official/

https://www.youtube.com/@Kemetstryofficial

Micall Parknsun Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/memyselfandakai

https://www.instagram.com/parkypix/

VIDEOS

Stay In The Light

Road & Postcode

 

 

 

Album Review: Still Natured by Ill Natured

 

Still Natured

By

Ill Natured

 

Now, it was way back in July of 2022 that the Ill Natured crew first graced the Infinite Sounds UK blog with their debut self-titled Ill Natured EP. At that time, I was impressed with what I considered to be one of the hottest debuts I had heard, and not only that, but these guys gave us a sound that was deeply rooted in the soul of real Hip Hop music.

The guys are now back with a long player, the Still Natured LP which was released back in June of this year. This time the core members of the crew Cosmic Rayne (South Africa), Abstract Soundz (UK), DJ Stav (UK), and Sativa (Germany), are joined by DJ Slowz and Yung High (Both from Vietnam), alongside a host of artists from across the globe, which includes: MC Karlito (France), Micall Parknsun (UK), Brotherman (UK), Eavesdrop (South Africa), and Pain aka Dai Ca P (Vietnam).

Before I get into the album, I would like the final words of this intro to go to Ill Natured, as they give you some insightful words to ponder at the back of your mind as you listen:

Taking inspiration from the era when the forefathers of Hip Hop set the bar for anybody who calls themself a ‘rapper’…‘The Still Natured LP’ provides insight into the true nature and essence of what has been lost in today’s commercial rap music.

At a time when its purpose is all but forgotten, clouded by the need to be instantly validated through likes and views, pure lyricism is still practiced by the few who understand that Hip Hop is forever. For as long as we stay true to the artform - and ourselves - the meaning of being a rapper, producer, DJ, Bboy and writer will never be lost.

Like the ancient knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations, through hidden messages in texts and art, the Still Natured LP is reserved for truth seekers. Those unfazed by the demands of modern society to believe that numbers are the goal. While it may be for most, it isn’t for us.

Transcending conventional ideas of modern Hip Hop, reminding the listener that being authentic is the goal, necessary for growth and progression, infiltrating the mind and body as if it were a disease, yet taking us back to the roots and planting the seeds for the future, this is ILL Natured.

Now let’s immerse ourselves into being Still Natured…

 

Our journey begins with Abstract Soundz (Production) and DJ Stav on The Intro where a thumping beat, piano, and strings, all combine to bring us a proper head nod intro that has a myriad of vocal samples to give you a little insight into what’s about to come. Plus, plenty of cutting shit up from Stav makes this intro do one thing, which is to let you know that this is real Hip Hop and that’s where its at. With the scene now set, its time to really get busy with Fall Back which features Micall Parknsun alongside Cosmic Rayne, who also produces this one. This one has funky vibe about it with a heavy beat, bass sound that keeps you moving. This seems to focus on the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there right now, just because you can rap does not mean your Hip Hop, and even if you are Hip Hop, you need to be relevant and speak from the heart. So, this one takes a shot at those rappers who are not all they make themselves out to be, they need to fall back, because this is Hip Hop where the real rappers live. Next, it is time for MC Karlito to join Sativa, with DJ Stav on the cut for Lament. Produced by Abstract Soundz, this one has a nice, chilled vibe provided by jazzy keys and horns, as the beat kicks. Now I’m not going to even make a guess at what is being said here, as sadly I speak neither French or German, but a lament is piece of music that is an expression of grief or sorrow, and alongside the fact is that the flows and tone of the lyrics match that chilled vibe, it draws you in regardless and allows you to speculate on the vocals, taking you wherever you need to go.

Riff Raff has production from Cosmic Rayne as he drops this one alongside Pain aka Dai Ca P. Double Bass is prominent in this one alongside guitars, xylophone notes and more, giving this one a deep sound that’s almost vibrates through your whole body with every note from the double bass. I had to think long and hard on this one, because as I listened, it didn’t feel like it was a derogatory reference, even though it reminded me of how, there was a time where if you were into Hip Hop music you might well have been considered as Riff Raff. But the more I listened the more it felt like this one had an air that more closely fit with one of the older definitions of the phrase, from around the mid 1300’s, in that it was all about leaving little of value behind. Perhaps this one has multiple means, depending on how you see it. Has a rapper you might be considered riff raff but, when you are that good at your craft, you will leave little, in the way of spoils, behind. After that mammoth thought process, its time to move on to A Funky Interlude which is produced and cut up by DJ Stav. This one is like a quick little audible pallet cleanser that funks things up and gives you time to just enjoy things before getting back into things in-depth with Live From Saigon, produced by Abstract Soundz, it features Sativa alongside MC Karlito once again. Drums and double bass take the forefront here with guitars and more softened into the background, bringing an overall sound that has this infectious funked up edge to it. Again, I’m going to pretend that I know what is being said here but, you can feel that this one has this air about it where you can imagine these two just getting up on stage and dropping an incredible show for everyone, nuff said.

Word War brings Sativa and Cosmic Rayne together with MC Karlito and production from Cosmic Rayne. This one has a sound where the drums are at the forefront while keys, in the background, give this a slightly dark edge, but one that is softened to the point where the vocals stand above all else. This one sees all three emcees using their words as weapons in a war where the content and shear impact of your wordplay has to be on point, taking out all opponents to leave you as the last one’s standing. The Skit is produced by Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav, and is the first three of these on the album. This quick little interlude takes the form of Ill Natured in the lab, working on a proper head nod beat with cuts from Stav. Before you know it, you’re back into things with the Ill Natured crew on Naturally Ill. Abstract Soundz provides the production here with a laid-back sound with keys and bass that is softened into the background, except on the bridge. It really puts you in  mind of the likes of ATCQ etc. This laid-back vibe allows the vocals to take the forefront, allowing them to sink into your awareness. This one really puts you in mind of that Hip Hop braggadocio style of bigging yourself up, knowing how good you are and that every thought you have can be turned into a dope rhyme. However, there is one difference here, being that the delivery comes with no air self-centred delivery, but more of a statement of facts, delivered with a quiet air of a deep personal knowing.

8 Bars is another little interlude that sees Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav collaborate. Back in Lab again we find Cosmic Rayne delivering the bars over a proper boom bap beat with plenty of razor sharp scratching. Timelapse brings us back from the lab with Abstract Soundz on production and joined by MC Karlito and Brotherman on mic, alongside DJ Slowz on the cut. There is a definite jazzhop vibe about this one with the jazzy piano vibes and chilled drumbeat giving you a tune to move to. At first listen this one seems like a straight up demonstration of lyrical prowess, but the more you listen you get the sense of something else alongside that; which might be that what you say does not have to be said in any particular timeframe, sometimes its good just to say what you need to in your own time, delivered in a way that allows everyone to understand the deeper meaning within. With that concept of listening and understanding now rooted in your mind, Dusted sees Sativa joined by Yung High with Abstract Soundz on production. The chilled drums and jazzy piano vibes see this one continue that jazzhop sound, making you feel like your sat in some smoke filled speak easy. Once more I find myself in the position of not knowing what the lyrics are speaking on, and so I go with my gut again. That laid-back sound and the chilled tone of the lyrical delivery really puts you in a place where you just want to sit back and allow it all to sink in, not thinking too hard but, letting the lyrics float through your awareness as you slowly nod to the beat.

As we head into the final few tracks of the album, The Fifth Kind sees Cosmic Rayne on production, joined by Eavesdrop. The futuristic sound here toys with your mind, expanding your senses and taking you beyond the confines of the planet. Here we are taken on journey that explores the idea of alien contact with humans as both emcees drop some complex wordplay that would be an interesting concept, were an extraterrestrial race to hear this as its first contact with humans. All this is backed by samples from an interview with researcher Steven Greer, who I met some years ago, who has been very outspoken on the subject of Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind. The penultimate track is our final interlude from Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav, which is the Cosmic Abstract Interlude. This one is a chilled number that mixes a drum loop with piano notes and some electronic elements, all together this track allows you to kick back one last time before the album ends with the albums title track, Still Natured. This one is all Cosmic Rayne, including production and has him dropping a beat that is backed by this sound which has an almost eerie quality to it which gives the whole track an air that rounds off the album but, still has you feeling, it’s not the end. Time is a huge factor in the lyrics too, giving you this feeling that you need to make the most of the time you have, so you need to fill that time by being authentic and the greatest expression of who you truly are.

 

The first thing that is apparent from listening to this album is that Ill Natured have stuck firmly to the ethics they forged with the Ill Natured EP, and that is that their music is firmly rooted in the golden era of Hip Hop. Their sound retains that vibe that takes you back to that time and puts you in mind of some of the legendary figures such as ATCQ, Gang Starr, and many more. You also feel that they have this desire to keep their sound firmly rooted where Hip Hop should be, on the streets and in the underground clubs, never straying from that path and never wandering into the watered down sound of the mainstream, where music is controlled and not allowed to speak real truths. Because that is a place where money is king and speaking from the heart rarely brings any real returns.

There is also such a deep feeling of unity within Still Natured as an album and Ill Natured as a crew. Something that embodies what Hip Hop has always been about, at it core. Ill Natured are a crew that spans the globe, and as a result, the album also does that. It brings together artist from many corners of the globe and proving that by uniting under the banner of real Hip Hop means that even if you do not know the language of the artist, you can still enjoy their display of their craft and feel the energy and the message they are putting across.

Every aspect of this album embodies the true Hip Hop sound, from the solid production values of the crew to the impressive wordplay and lyricism displayed by all the emcees involved, be they from Ill Natured or as guest artists. It kind of makes you not want to single anyone out, and you don’t have to because what you realise is that, within the confines of the album, everyone is Hip Hop and everyone is Ill Natured, they become one, because that is what Hip Hop does, it brings us together as one, and that is something that I find really gets to you as you listen and you realise just how deeply this album and nature of Ill Natured brings that unity vision to the listener.

When I listened to debut a few years back, I really felt that these guys were gonna go a long way and after hearing Still Natured, I’m as sure as I can be that future for Ill Natured is going to keep raising that bar and keep promoting unity through the sound of real Hip Hop music.

Still Natured is available digitally now and, if your lucky, available on limited edition cassette too, through the Low Definition label.

My huge thanks to Abstract Soundz for the chance to bring this one to you and for the awesome cassette too, you can’t beat taking it back to the days of old.

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab Your copy on Bandcamp Here:

https://illnatured.bandcamp.com/album/still-natured-lp

Stream on Spotify Here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/05mZsufZgOtK645M1Pd2iq

Ill Natured Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/abstractsoundz/

https://www.instagram.com/cosmicrayne/

https://www.instagram.com/low_definition_records/

https://www.instagram.com/dj_stav/

https://www.youtube.com/@illnatured5804/featured

VIDEOS

Riff Raff

Album Review: MicTronics by Mic Mountain X TronBeatz

 

MicTronics

By

Mic Mountain X Tronbeatz

 

MicTronics is the latest album from Washington D.C. emcee Mic Mountain, it marks his third album to be reviewed on the blog this year and his 9^th Solo album. So, for a bit more background on Mic Mountain, please check my previous reviews for Triple Piragua and Mountain Dreams.

This time around Mic Mountain teams with Tronbeatz, out of Connecticut, on production and Cuts from Mr Scratch Hook (who also provides mixing and mastering). The album is not overloaded with features either, giving Mic Mountain plenty of room to shine. Those who do feature here are CrDnlSn, The Bad Seed, and Thirstin Howl the 3^rd. As we have seen with the previous reviews from Mic Mountain, expect a sound that is rooted deeply in the traditional boom bap sound but, with maybe a surprise or two along the way.

So, don’t let me keep you hanging right now, let’s get straight into it…

 

It all kicks off here with Chill You Got It with Tronbeatz bringing a heavy sound of guitar notes over a drum loop that gets your head nodding from the get-go. The mixed in vocal samples also add some depth that serves to get you fired up. Mic Mountain lights up the mic with a blistering display of wordplay where metaphors and similes abound, with just a dash or two of Hip Hop braggadocio to boot too. You really get the feeling here that this one is gonna be some journey. If you thought there might be time to chill here, then think again as Back In The Day Pt. 2 brings a follow up to a track from Mic Mountains 2018 album The Avalanche. Here razor sharp cuts and a heavy sonic sound merge with a pounding drum beat to get you bouncing and pumping the air. Mic Mountain takes us back to his teenage years, schooling us to some of his inspirations with mentions for the likes of KRS ONE and BDP, Redman, Black Sheep, Cypress Hill and more. But more than that we also get an insight into what it was like for him growing up, learning the latest rap verses before heading home to write his own. This is a true look into how you push yourself to rise from the early days, constantly evolving and practicing, never resting but always having that faith in yourself that you can be someone. The focus now switches from those early days as DMV MC takes us into the metropolitan area of Washington D.C. and for anyone not familiar with the term, it stands for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Tronbeatz gives us a solid head nod beat that is backed by a multi-layered sound that chills you out a little while Mr Scratch Hook cuts up some classic Hip Hop samples. Mic Mountain reps it for the hometown here as he takes us back to the streets of DC, showing us what it was to be an emcee growing up there, constantly honing his craft on the mic as well as dabbling in graffiti.

Conan Swords brings a heavy sound with horns that keeps your head moving while vibrating through your whole body, giving this one a sound that seems to grab you and hold you in a vice-like grip. Lyrically, this one has a battle rap edge to it where each bar hits like a bullet or the razor-sharp edge of a heavy metal sword, where everything cuts deep but, rather than leaving you bleeding, this one gets you hyped for what’s coming next; and coming next is the first feature as CrDnlSn joins us for Got That Motion. Here the sound has an edge that seems to take you to the streets after dark with a drumbeat is backed by chilled synth sound. There are also a couple moments the sound switches up but still keeping that bright lights big city feel to it. Mic Mountain and CrDnlSn keep it rooted in the streets of the DMV while displaying the desire to take it from those very streets to conquer the globe with their vocals, always moving forward and never looking back and with plenty to encounter along the way.

Mystery Weed takes the original Scooby Doo theme, flipping it into a banger of a sound that brings a smile with it. You switch that smile into a proper grin as Mic Mountain has fun by flipping the classic narrative of a Scooby Doo episode into a smoke filled comedic romp where the culprit would have got away with it too, if it wasn’t for that meddling Hip Hop MoFo. We keep that idea of flipping the Scooby Doo vibes with the Scoob Scrap Raps. Here Thirstin Howl 3^rd joins Mic Mountain to drop some just for fun mic mockery as wordplay meets the world of mystery Inc. flipping it all on its head and leaving all sucka rappers dead. TronBeatz provides the stage for all these fun and games with an eerie synth sound underpinning a heavy drum loop that beats the strange sound into your bones and has you looking over your shoulder at every turn…

Broken Glass features The Bad Seed alongside Mic Mountain as TronBeatz brings a sound that thumps hard, threatening to make your ears bleed. There is a couple of switches along the way that have a sound that is freakier that a sixties horror movie soundtrack vibe. Lyrically this one hits you like pieces of broken glass falling on your ears. Wordplay that slices deep into your mind and eliciting thoughts that intrude like broken nightmares into your awareness. All to soon we are at the albums penultimate track Nautical Flow, with a sound that pounding beat with organ notes and vocal samples that make you feel like you could be floating, ebbing and flowing with the tide. Mic Mountain takes us on a journey of subsurface vocals where lyricism meets the oceans, mythical creatures, pirates and more. This one takes you into a dream world where water, an emotive symbolism, surrounds you, holding you just long enough to take you away from the trials and tribulations of life. The album concludes with It’s A Wave, where TronBeatz brings a sound that has a beat that makes you move almost unconsciously, but the synth sounds have a vibe that once more gives you that feeling of ebbing and flowing, although the waters may feel a bit choppier this time around. Mic Mountain takes us to the crest of the wave, riding that energy there is a feeling that the message here is that you need to make waves so that people will take notice of what you have to offer. Once you have their attention, they will see the strength and the reality of what you bring and that you speak from a place of knowledge and understanding.

 

Mictronics is a little under twenty five minutes in length, but what it might lack in length, it more than makes up for in shear content. Now, I have never been a fan of track lengths under three minutes, I find it hard to see how you can put enough into anything shorter. But I have to say that I am becoming more used to it now and on Mictronics, Mic Mountain and TronBeatz really do make the best use of every second, giving you a hell of a lot of bang for your bucks.

The album is a full on boom bap rooted album, there is no question, but along the way TronBeatz gives us just enough tweaks to give it a fresh sound. He also brings a good number of vibes that have just the right amount of emotive edge to mirror what Mic Mountain is trying to elicit from the listener, something that he does with aplomb.

Mic Mountain keeps it straight Hip Hop here with lyrics, flows and wordplay that allow you to hear every rhyme, thus allowing you to be able to get right into each track, if you so choose to. There is also a great mix of styles here that bring you the kind of tracks you can enjoy listening to for fun but, at the same time there is a balance of tracks that also have some deep massages, some of which can be quite subtle, you just have to take the time to listen.

It would be amiss of me if I were not to mention how the Hip Hop vibe is accentuated by the cuts of Mr Scratch Hook. There is always that little voice inside me that says how Hip Hop are you being without the inclusion of a DeeJay cutting it up. For me it is, pretty much, a must as an aspect of that real Hip Hop vibe.

It is also great to see that as a solo album, Mic Mountain has kept the features to minimum, highlighting his own lyricism. That is not to take anything away from those who do feature. Thirstin Howl the 3^rd, The Bad Seed and CrDnlSn, are all a credit to the scene and add depth and feeling to those tracks they appear on, this complementing Mic Mountain and the overall sound of the album.

For me, this was a highly enjoyable album from start to finish where solid emotive beats meet intellectual wordplay, and where it all comes together to make smile, bounce and ultimately think. Hip Hop music has always been a sound which can encompass so much, from just having fun with lyrics and wordplay, to deeper conscious explorations and understanding the origins of the artist bringing you such deeply relatable subject matter, and with Mictronics, Mic Mountain and TronBeatz have done a superb job of doing just that. You just have to truly listen, but you can also just listen and enjoy it, because that is what music is all about too.

Mictronics is released on 5^th December everywhere so don’t sleep on this one.

There is also an album listening party via Bandcamp on 3rd December at 7pm ET in the US or 00:00 4th December GMT.

 

My huge and humble thanks to Mic Mountain for giving me the chance to bring you my take on this one.

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve.

LINKS

 Grab your copy here:

https://micmountain.bandcamp.com/album/mictronics

or

https://micmountain.com/ 

 

Mic Mountain Socials

https://www.facebook.com/micmountainmusic

https://www.facebook.com/michael.mountain.34432

https://www.instagram.com/therealmicmountain/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClaQhDfbvbpWHPOUHkKESfg

TronBeatz Socials

https://www.instagram.com/tronbeatz88/

https://www.facebook.com/tron.beats

VIDEOS

Mystery Weed

Scooba Scrap Raps

 

Album Review: ITO by Cappo

 

ITO

By

Cappo

 

It has to be, for me, an honour and a pleasure to be able to give my thoughts on the final album in Cappo’s CAPStone trilogy, ITO.

The trilogy began in September 2024 with S.T.A.R.V.E. a deep, relatable and impactful story of one person’s decent into mental health decline due to the collapse of a long-term relationship, alongside the trials and tribulations on everyday life. Then in April of this year came Houses, set some twenty years after the first album, it took us on a day-in-the-life journey as one man looks to come to terms with his own morality and the true meaning of being a father.

With ITO rounding off the trilogy, we find that the promo gives us a little insight into what to expect from the album. ITO encompasses aspects of both the previous albums in the trilogy; it juxtaposes elements of S.T.A.R.V.E.’s thematic abstraction with the temporary linear narrative of Houses. ITO can be read as a ‘key’ of sorts, acting as the conceptual thread that links together each piece of the trilogy. As such, ITO can be listened to as an introduction to the trilogy and/or as a conclusion. This kind of puts me in mind of some movies that I have watched, such as Pulp Fiction and others. So, I expect this one to be everything the other albums were and more.

Released through Plague, the album is written and produced by Cappo, with additional production from Sam Zircon on Pequod, Greene, Frost, X, and Glaze, King Kashmere on Red, and Zygote on Gold. Recorded by 1stBlood, mixed and mastered by Irn Mnky, with Design and layout coming from Rich Brown (Bee Graphics).

Now we have all that said, let’s get into it…

 

The album begins with he title track Ito, which is produced by Cappo and has this deep sounding vibe that is thick with bass, drums and guitar, and organ notes, immediately bringing your focus to the vocals.  As you listen to this one you are drawn in by the quality of the intricate lyrics, teasing you, giving you just a glimpse of what is to come, which is the trick here, it is giving you just enough to pique your interest, but never giving away what is behind it all. That is for you to deduce as the album goes on, you know what has gone before, so can you feel what is the truth? Now the metaphorical carrot has been dangled, White sees Cappo’s production keep that deep sound, but this time the percussion takes the forefront with keys providing a background vibe that softens the edge, making you want to nod your head, but almost unconsciously as the words speak to you. I get the feeling here that what those words say will depend very much on your experiences through life thus far. There is a reflective edge to this one that puts you in mind of a middle-aged man looking at where he is now in his life, the past being almost a distant memory. Could this be a reflection of the protagonist P from Houses, now further down his path in life and considering life on that very path. Next up is Pequod which might be the name of the whaling ship from Moby Dick, but does that have any relatability here? Sam Zircon gives us a solid beat which backed by an eerie sound that spins your mind into a fog bound space. The words breakthrough the fog allowing you to see that here the focus is on drawing positive energy from the poor decisions of the past, casting aside their weight that presses on your chest, rising to climb from the fog filled valley to the peak of mountain where the air is clear and you can finally see the your dreams with clarity, knowing they are there for the taking.

Red brings production from King Kashmere where bells bring a ringing in your mind as heavy beats seem to pound a different ringing that almost causes your entire body to vibrate. As the lyrics seep into your conscious awareness, Cappo’s words feel like they embody the many meanings of the Red Dragon symbolism. Western culture sees the Red Dragon as bringing chaos and destruction, while in Eastern cultures it symbolises good fortune, prosperity and imperial power, however its spiritual symbolism is one of a transformative force, and we see all those things here where the ashes of chaos and destruction ignite to bring good fortune and prosperity as the phoenix rises, showing the overall transformative power. This mirrors how our own paths in live can ultimately lead to a positive transformation from a troubled past. As those thoughts still remain clear in our minds, Sam Zircon once more provides production for Greene, where the sound is led by piano notes as the drums are sparse, giving a vibe that tweaks your mind back into this reality, just long enough to allow Cappo’s words into your mind. Here, it seems, Cappo is focusing on personal convictions, defining the very beliefs and opinions that made you the person you are, and have got you to where you are now, in this very moment. Opinions and beliefs can change over time but, if you had to define the very convictions that you live by, how would you do that; then consider the events of the past two albums in the series and how this fits with what you have heard. Sam Zircon’s production continues on Frost, as we flip from Side A to Side B of the album, with a lo-fi sound where all sounds appear to be synth based and there is no drum beat to get you nodding and so the words fill your mind with even greater effect, something that is important here as this one appears to be the most personal track we have heard. Cappo lays all his cards on the table, his thoughts and feels for his crafted body of work, his wishes for his children and much more. There is much food for thought here as you begin to consider just how much of the CAPStone trilogy is personal truths from Cappo’s own lived experience? Then, perhaps that was the whole point of this one, to have you think and ponder what is the truth here, how personal is this, which then has you thinking the same about your own life.

Gold sees Zygote on production, bringing a heavier bass sound with some electronic vibes that seems to cause your brain to vibrate on some weird level. This one seems to continue on from the previous track and has Cappo speaking more on his craft, the inspirations, and how he is viewed with the UK Hip Hop culture. Cappo is viewed as one of the leading rap artists of the current era and what he does here is to not only solidify that but, expand it and define what he does as being at forefront of new developments and new ideas on a lyrical level. Sam Zircon is back on production for X, Where the sound has a more head nod vibe, but one that seems to come from a random selection of sounds that just seem to work. In fact, there is almost a John Carpenter vibe about this one on a level. Here, it feels like we have shifted focus once more, to a narrative that could easily be back to the character of P. Here there is very much an air reflective thoughts, a collection of them in fact, like we are witness to a thoughts of someone thinking back on life and many of the crucial moments that have shaped him, brought him to this point, and finally allow him to look at, identify, and lay the final piece of the puzzle into place. Z returns Cappo to production who brings us a solid banger of a track which has some vocal samples and more in the background that gives this one a slightly dark air. The complex nature of this one takes a few listens to really get into but, as you listen things do begin to clarify in your mind. The focus appears to be one that is all about speaking the truth and not using your platform to preach false truths to those who will listen. What spoke to me here, as I listened to the words a number of times, was that you can speak anything to an audience whose only reference is a base of lies and false narratives, but when you speak the truth, your truth, one that is built on a firm foundation of knowledge and understanding, you might only reach the ears of the few but, eventually those few will reach others, and so on, making people think and search for the truths that are buried by the lies. There was one thing in Z that had me thinking and diving into some research at 8am on a chilly Thursday morning; and that was Cappo’s reference to “November Golf, The city of legends”, now this one troubled me for a bit. I know he hails from Nottingham and I thought, is it that simple, But I looked into it and found that Bournemouth is referred to as that due to its golf courses and apparent mild winter weather. However, after musing over this I felt that Nottingham was what this cryptic phrase referred to, hope my thinking is right here…

Time to delve into the final two tracks of the album, and the penultimate track here is Berry, produced by Cappo, this one has a more chilled sound with a laid-back drumbeat, and some synth sounds that create an air of calm, to a point. What strikes you about this one is the fact that this one brings your mind to a place where you think about the things you do, or have done, that will leave a lasting impression on those around you and the world, long after you are gone. We all build things over the course of our lives that directly, or indirectly, touch others; for Cappo, it is his music and the messages that it carries with it, for me, it is these very words that you are reading. But no matter where your life has taken you, there will be something is yours and speaks your name. We now come to the final track of the album Glaze, also the final track produced by Sam Zircon, brings a beat that makes you nod your head in a subtle way. The synth sounds bring a sound that has a reflective edge but, also has you casting an eye to the future. Listening to these last few minutes is like sat listening to the response to a deeply personal question. Cappo seems to be opening up on his own personal commitment to music he produces. You get a real sense that he focuses on bringing years of knowledge and academic study to bear on his lyrical prowess, giving rise to a form of Hip Hop expression that is taking wordplay to the next level with complex realism that invites the listener to think, giving them a desire to truly understand what is being heard, and at the same time considering their own place, their own mortality, and their own desire to give something back…

 

It is not often that I get to the point of giving my overall impression on what I have just heard, only to realise that what I have already written down can easily sum up the whole project on its own. I honestly feel I could end it right here and you would still get a huge amount from my words.

However, ITO has a lot more to say than just what my interpretation brings forth. Because the shear wealth of what Cappo has just given you makes you think intently and deeply on the content, before considering what it is in relation to the other two parts of the CAPStone trilogy. For me, I found the overall message within the album to be one of a positive outlook on life. It gives you a point at which you can either start or finish listening to all three albums and still get the same feeling. There are tracks or Chapters here that you feel link directly to either S.T.A.R.V.E. or Houses, there are also tracks that provide an insight into unsaid elements and those that bring clarity to what comes in the now, the reasons for the whole trilogy and how, perhaps, you can apply that in your own life. There may well be an aspect of all three albums that are autobiographical, but considering how deep this all is, it is so relatable that there are times you feel you are listening to aspects of your own life.

ITO is an incredible journey in itself, giving much food for thought and bringing you a realisation that Cappo may well have tapped into a new form of Hip Hop music that is not just a packed with deeply cerebral storytelling, performed in a way that I feel has not been done before. Cappo packs his intelligent wordplay with knowledge on a whole new level, one that appears to come from intense academic study of philosophical works and an understanding of life’s journey, in a way that many of us fail to grasp or even chose to look at. It just goes to show that Cappo is someone who could be given the GOAT status, not just because of lyrical prowess or production values, but because he is bringing a whole new level of intelligent wordplay and storytelling to a wider audience. Now it might not be for everyone; as some will just enjoy it for what it is but, there are those who will seek to find the deeper aspects of the albums, discover how all three album mesh together, and perhaps find other hidden aspects along the way, who knows, that is for you to find out.

The last thing for me to do here is just to comment on the production and couple of other bits along the way. Musically, ITO has some interesting and deep sounds that give you that Hip Hop vibe but, also that work in tandem with Cappo’s vocals to bring you a deep experience with each track, and Cappo, Sam Zircon, King Kashmere, and Zygote, should all be commended for just what they bring to the table here. Yes, the album has that foundation of a Hip Hop album but, it takes that foundation and builds something truly unique on it, something that sets the bar high on a whole new era/genre for Hip Hop music and the application of knowledge into that medium.

ITO and its companion albums in the CAPStone Trilogy are, by far, something Hip Hop and perhaps music in general has nor seen before. Albums that work perfectly as a standalone listening experience or together as the trilogy, regardless of you listening to ITO as the introduction or as the conclusion. ITO and the CAPStone trilogy will be talked about in the annals of Hip Hop history for a long time, perhaps even setting a new benchmark…

I’ll leave it there, but I could go on talking about this. You definitely have to listen to ITO and find which context it sets for you.

 

My humble thanks to once again to Dan at Plague for the chance to bring you my take on ITO, and in fact to be able to review the whole trilogy. It has been a true honour and a pleasure, opening my mind along the way.

ITO is out today, 21^st November on both limited edition vinyl and cassette, as well as digital too.

Keep watch for CAPStone the book and Box Sets, coming on 12th December 2025.

 

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy here:

https://plague11.bandcamp.com/album/ito

Cappo on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/kafka_poe_murakami/

Plague Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/plague_11/

https://www.facebook.com/plague11

VIDEOS

ITO: A Sonic-mosaic Journey

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Brothers of Invention by Analog Mutants

 

Brothers of Invention

By

Analog Mutants

 

The Analog Mutants aka Phill Most Chill, DJ Snafu, and DJ Grazzhoppa, have featured on the blog a few times with the singles Speak Easy/I’m On Vacation (808 Remix) from 2022, Confidence/If Ya Let ‘Em (remix) from 2023, and Titty Shaker from 2024.

The guys are now back with their double long player, Brothers of Invention, which is dropping on 23^rd November. Now, this album has been in production for over a decade and features most of the above singles, plus the album versions of I’m On Vacation and If Ya Let ‘Em.

As the Analog Mutants have featured here a few times, I’m not going to go into them this time around. However, what I will do is just give you the lowdown on the album. As always, the lyrics are by PMC and there are no features here either. Album production comes from DJ Snafu, except for Overlord of Fresh which is produced by DJ Grazzhoppa, who also brings us all the cuts on the album.

There is also Additional music from Craig Cloy on Make Way For The New Shit, Confidence, Hall of Shame, Pining (interlude), Tittyshaker, and Infinity, plus bass on I’m On Vacation by Joanne Tait. The album cover art also comes from the man Phill Most Chill.

So, with all that said, lets get into the Brothers of Invention…

Let’s kick things off by dropping the needle on Side A, which begins with Make Way For The New Shit. This one has a wicked jazz vibe that incorporates horns, bass, keys, sonic sounds, and xylophone notes, all coming together with a laid-back vibe that puts you in mind of sitting in a smoky speak easy listening to some illicit sounds. PMC opens the album by hitting us with a flow that allows to you hear every word, while still seemingly making it hard for you to follow with some incredible word play that blows you away from the get-go, wiping the slate of any expectation you might have had in favour of this new shit. Having first blown you away, its now time for the Mutants to ask you one question, Can You Feel It? This one opens with razor sharp cuts from Grazzhoppa and the kind of upbeat funky sound that makes every atom of your body move. Here PMC drops some intelligent rap vocals that brings an electric feel good vibe that makes you manna get up and bounce to the groove. This is the kind of Hip Hop that brings a huge smile to your face, and you can’t ask for more than that. Now that we are hyped up its time for the Mutants to bring a little magic to the table with a little Voodoo. Rapid drums, horns, guitars, keys, and cuts sharper than a Katana merge together at the hands of Snafu, creating a sound that hits like an injection of adrenaline. PMC gives a masterclass in fast rap but, still with enough clarity in his vocals to allow you to follow them. Detailing more about who he is and some of the awesome projects he has been a part of, and this shows what can be achieved when you constantly hone your craft, never sitting still but always moving forward. Next up we have Confidence, originally released back in 2023. I don’t think I can say it any better now than I did back then. Drums, live sax, and organ notes give you the energy that you need when you want to stick on a track to get the people out their seats. Mix with that Grazzhoppa’s knack of bringing you cuts that work seamlessly with the beat and it leaves you begging to hear what PMC has to say, which is speaking all about Confidence. It’s all about having confidence in your work and to never second guess what you do. To be good at what you do, you have to be able to recognise that and to be able to step up and say ‘Yeah, that’s me and, you know what, I am that good’ and that is something that everyone of the Analog Mutants display here, Confidence in the quality of their work. Side-A is rounded off with one of only a couple of Instrumental tracks on the album, Overlord of Fresh which is produced by DJ Grazzhoppa. Here Grazzhoppa gives us solid display of his dexterity on the One’s and Two’s over a banging drum beat. The DJ cut was once a staple of many Hip Hop album’s back in the day and here the Mutant’s bring that back in true style as Grazzhoppa shows exactly why he is the Overlord of Fresh.

Take a brief pause as you flip to Side-B, before the quiet is broken by the needle hitting the groove and I’m On Vacation bringing the energy back. The reverse sound grabs your awareness, briefly, before things get back on track and the drums, keys, bass and more bring and upbeat south American sound that has an infectious edge and gets your body moving. PMC gets on the mic, switching between flows, really going off on one. He appears to not be giving it much thought but, you know that’s not the case because even when you’re on vacation and having a good time, you can still bring the slick wordplay, on ice. So, order another round of summer anthem vibes, and while you’re enjoying yourself, what better than a bit of Freeform Freestylin’. Here horns and a heavy beat create the background sound with Grazz on the cut, bringing a sound that gets you out your seat pumping the air. This might not be an actual freestyle, but PMC gives us a supreme display of what it is to drop some incredible witty wordplay that leaves you as breathless as is sounds, Mic Drop. From here it’s time for one for the Breakers with Leroy Brown. This one has an energetic sound of drums, bass and guitars, which really gets you fired up and wanting to hit the floor. PMC kind of flips the story of Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce, from a story of a feared man getting bested in a fight, to one of an emcee with a b-boy sound. This one feels like a story of a dangerous emcee who pulls no punches and delivers his wordplay with a deadly precision that takes out all comers. As you are digesting energy of what has just gone, you’re hit with another freestyle track, the Allergies Freestyle. This one has an upbeat sound of drums, sampled vocal sounds, and cuts, creating a sound that seems to fire you up more than you realise, mixing the Analog Mutants and the Allergies. PMC drops a freestyle with clever wordplay that is so on point it’s hard to believe this is just off the top of his head. With your head still nodding from that freestyle goodness, there is a new sound coming, and that is the sound of Drones, where heavy basslines and synth sounds merge to bring a sound that fits with a digital age vibe. PMC opens up on the worrying trends of the digital age, where everything we do and everywhere we go can be monitored by those around us and the authorities. We are living in an age where we have less and less privacy in our day to day lives. Side-B is rounded off with the instrumental track Analog Mutation, where our minds are sent into a spin with mix of drums, sonic sounds, cuts, and sampled sound bites that create this cut n’ paste vibe that focuses on the mutation of analog sounds into something new, is this the origin of the Analog Mutants perhaps…

 

Time for another brief pause as you flip to the second vinyl record and slowly drop the needle onto Side-C. The crackle gives way to Grazzhoppa on the cut and a huge slice of Hip Hop funk vibes drawing you back into the album with If Ya Let ‘Em. Here we find PMC schooling us to the fact that we all need to watch our own backs, keeping ourselves safe from those who might directly or indirectly cause us harm, and those might even be with the circle of our own family and friends. At the end of the day, you have to look out for number one, first and foremost, because others can only hurt you if are the one that lets them. Next up its time to take it back on that vacation tip with the I’m On Vacation Freestyle. The beat here has a grittier edge and is ferociously cut up by Grazzhoppa but, as the track progresses there are twists and turns ending up with the pace being dialled down a few notches. PMC goes all in showing that on vacation, it’s ok to go all in and just enjoy yourself with lyrics. He also keeps his flows perfectly in time with all those twists and turns on the beat. After all the fun of another freestyle, it’s now time to Rock On On On with the Analog Mutants. This one has wicked upbeat feel that mashes up a solid drum beat with a mix of guitar vibes and more that seem to incorporate different styles rock vibes and maybe even a hint of a bluesy sound too; a sound that really gets the dopamine going, and all the while Grazzhoppa cuts up classic Hip Hop samples to keep you rocking. PMC name drops some of the biggest inspirations to his music, and to Hip Hop in general. He mixes it up some slick wordplay that keeps you rocking alongside the beat. It was the sampling and cutting up of songs from these artist that formed some of the most iconic hip hop tracks of all time, so what better way to pay homage to that than with this track right here. Hall of Shame is an instrumental cut that hits with a full on blues vibe with a heavy drum beat, keys, horns, and a vocal sample that puts you in mind of the likes of Muddy Waters, B. B. King and the like. This one is one of those that you could chill with on repeat for hours. After that deep sound Anger brings a jazzy vibe to proceedings with a multi-layered sound that hits on many levels but gets the adrenaline rising all the same. The lyrics reflect that rise in adrenaline with PMC speaking on the subject of anger in a way that reflects the power and energy of that emotion. The wordplay has a heavy flow and content that shows how we can all be pushed to the point of no return, exploding with a wave of physical and verbal expressions. Side-C is rounded of with the Pining (Interlude) a short instrumental that mixes horns, bass, and much more into an upbeat sound that brings a smile to your face as it puts you in mind of comedic spooky vibe like the Addams Family.

Now we have our final little pause as we flip the final to the final side, Side-D. As the record spins and the needle begins its journey it all kicks off with the single Speak Easy, from way back in 2022. This one is a jazzy and funk filled uplifting vibe of drums and horns from Snafu, all topped off by Grazzhoppa’s classic razor-sharp cuts. This one really gets you in the mood to move as PMC hits the stage with some slick verses, easily flipping between flows and showing a masterful level of being comfortable in his wordplay. It also shows that regardless of lyrical content or beat, he can just speak easy on any track, and his verbal mastery is at such a high level that other emcee’s need to beware. The latest single from the Mutants follows as 2024’s Tittyshaker drops in your face. This one has an upbeat funky vibe that features guitars, keys, and horns, which brings an infectious sound that injects movement into your body and a smile onto your face. The beat fits perfectly with PMC’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics that not only reflect the title but, serve as a fun filled ode to the female form. Well, actually one particular aspect of the female form, which I’m sure hadn’t escaped your gaze. An energy fuelled sound that is one of those, just for fun tracks that everyone will enjoy bouncing to in the clubs and beyond. After listening to that, you might just be thinking WTF Was That, and what that is, is the next track. The beat here finds a funky guitar vibe taking the forefront and the drum beat almost taking a back seat but, there are so many aspects and changes to the beat here, it’s almost hard to keep up. However, the sound is upbeat and gets you moving and enjoying what you’re hearing. PMC has fun here creating some truly comedic verses that will have you rolling around and thinking exactly what the title suggests. Its now time for this sides and the albums penultimate cut, Abused. The beat here has a jazz funk sound that has guitar and key elements alongside the drum beat, giving an upbeat sound that gets your head nodding and your toes tapping. This one is a tale of the abuse suffered by one of a DJs vinyl record collection. How it began life as a pristine example, straight out the wrapper. But time and repeated plays have caused the cover to fade and became tattered, the vinyl itself becoming scratched, dirty, and the sound not what it used to be. Your first listen of this might take you to a different place but, if you take the time to really H.E.R you will get where I, and PMC of course, are going with this. Cracking lyricism right here. The album ends with Infinity, a funky little number that ends the album on high energy note as Snafu brings this wicked sound of drums, horns, organ, and bass notes, which gives you the kind of energy boost you need. This one really shows how to round off an album by bringing all elements of the Analog Mutants together as Grazzhoppa brings the cuts and PMC drops the kind of lyrics and wordplay that makes you realise that once you create one mutant species, those mutations will continue to evolve and multiply for, well Infinity…

Once you come back down to earth from the last hour, you realise just what ride you have been on with the Analog Mutants. Twelve years of formulation, testing and experimentation has created a double album that could just as easily be described as two single albums or 4 EP’s, but what is truly apparent here is that you cannot rush quality and Brothers of Invention is an album of such quality that it has to be at the top, or very close to it, of anyone’s albums of 2025.

When you have a group that is composed of an international collective of this nature it is bound to produce Hip Hop of a quality that once more proves that real Hip Hop is alive and kicking, but more than that it has mutated in the form of the Analog Mutants, a group that could be the future of Hip Hop, in some way or another.

I have probably said it before but, here are three artists that have proven themselves within Hip Hop music. DJ Snafu brings production that is totally on point, pushing the boundaries of the sound but, still keeping its foundations intact. He brings a wealth of inspirational sound to the table, then mixes them together in the way any mad professor might do to create the perfect mutation. DJ Grazzhoppa has been in the game for many years and has the experience to craft the perfect cuts for any situation. He also has production qualities that brings an extra notch to his belt, and we have not even mentioned his work with DJ Grazzhoppa’s Big Band. This guy is able to chop, slice and splice any beat or sample to bring hidden abilities to any mutation. Then, last but not least Phill Most Chill brings legendary status emceeing to the laboratory. His ability to craft complex wordplay from even the craziest lyrics and flows has seen him being one of the most influential emcees out there in recent years. This puts him in the perfect place to bring additional dimensions to the laboratory and hence, giving any mutation the qualities most can only dream of.

Brothers of Invention is a release that builds on the foundations of real Hip Hop music giving the listener an experience that will speak to both the new listener and the seasoned veteran of Hip Hop music. There is so much here that can be enjoyed time and time again, never getting old and probably giving you something new to hear with each listen.

The other thing is something that I like to reiterate time and again, that groups like the Analog Mutants solidify the international reach of Hip Hop. Something that unites people the world over with a love for music whose foundations were built on raising people up and bringing them together.

 

Brothers of Invention is released through Nobody Buys Records digitally right now with limited edition vinyl out around 23^rd November. The limited edition vinyl comes in four colour variations with artwork from Phill Most Chill, and these are selling quick, so don’t sleep on them.

 

My huge thanks to DJ Snafu for the chance to bring this one to you.

I’ll see you next time,

Well, it might be me or a mutation of me…

See Ya,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy from one of these places:

https://nobodybuysrecords.bigcartel.com/products

https://nobodybuysrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

Analog Mutants Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/analogmutants/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076861993571

Nobody Buys Records Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/NobodyBuysRecords

https://www.instagram.com/nobodybuysrecords/

https://nobodybuysrecords.bigcartel.com/nobody-buys-records

VIDEOS

If Ya Let 'Em - Lyric Video

I'm On Vacation Freestyle - Lyric Video

Leroy Brown - Lyric Video

Drones - Lyric Video