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

Album Review: Undiluted by Cymarshall Law Produced by Ramson Badbonez

 

UNDILUTED

By

Cymarshall Law

Prod. By Ramson Badbonez

 

I really like it when a label goes that extra mile to promo a release, and here Nuke Fam Records have done that for this release. They sent the Nuke Fam Mag Vol One to those who had previously purchased a release from them as a way to fully promote Undiluted from East Coast US Emcee Cymarshall Law and UK legendary emcee and producer Ramson Badbonez.

The Nuke Fam Mag Vol One really gets you hyped up for this release with a review from the one and only Craig Killa Tapes aka Grimee Quick (which I decided not to read prior to this review), some great pics of the artwork and artists, plus an interview with Cymarshall Law; I’ll put a link to the full interview on YouTube below.

Now, I have featured Ramson Badbonez on the blog before with my review of his producer album, Lead By Example, and a number of features too. Based in London, he has been one of the UK’s most prolific emcees in recent years. He also turned his hand to production in 2021 with the afore mentioned Lead By Example, further cementing his legendary status in the UK and further afield.

In fact, it was Lead By Example that also gave me my first introduction, on the blog, to Cymarshall Law, who appeared on the track Reservoir Dogs. Born in Luton UK, he moved to the US when he was just nine years old. His career would be instigated as he watched his older brother Skits Slam’s own career evolve. But it would be at age seventeen that he would get his break joining the group Everlivin Sound, on the advice of another UK ex-pat, the one and only MF DOOM (R.I.E.P). The New Jersey based emcee is now one of the East Coast heavy hitters and joining forces with one the UK greats, seems a natural progression.

The album also has some cracking features to with Ramson Badbonez himself picking up the mic alongside appearances from Leaf Dog, DJ Phillip Lee, Pacewon, and DJ Jazz T. Showing that this one is a true slice of Hip Hop that spans the oceans.

Anyway, with all that said, I think it’s now time to get into the album…

 

So, Side A (Yeah, I’m gonna give you the review as it you were listening to the vinyl, if that’s OK), kicks things off with Free Like A Breeze, an intro that hits you hard with pounding drum breaks and more, swirling in your head like the trailer for a movie. The vocals here seem to float alongside the sound, and the more you listen, the more they seem to be opening your mind, preparing you for what’s to come, and you are not left waiting as Ramson Badbonez picks up the mike alongside Cymarshall Law for My Opening. This one immediately injects some adrenaline into your system getting you bouncing from the get-go with an infectious sound you can’t ignore. Cymarshall and Ransom trade verses here, flexing their lyrical muscles, with the kind of intricate wordplay that gets you all fired up while systematically having your brain rewired. So, with your body now bouncing and your mind spinning we move on to Hymphony (Going In), which has this banging funk vibe to it with funked up drums and guitars getting you moving in a whole new way. Cymarshall Law takes the gloves off here, demonstrating that this is some real Hip Hop right here as he alludes to the B-Girls, B-Boys and the graff writers, before unloading a salvo that takes out the competition in true rap style. It’s all about going in with everything you got and standing tall so that everyone can see that you have the skill to back up the braggadocio, the way rappers threw down back in the day, and this is throwing down for a new era. Just as all that is sinking in DJ Phillip Lee steps up to the One’s and Two’s, cutting it up alongside Cymarshall Law while Ramson Badbonez drops a heavy beat that is mixed with chilled keys, giving this one a laid-back sound that still has your head nodding. Burning It Up embraces that slightly laid-back sound as this one is all about mixing up the rap vocals with more that hit or two from a certain medicinal plant that many enjoy, and one that just happens to, as Cymarshall cleverly points out, have ‘the same colour as Raekwon’s tape’ alluding to limited first edition tape version of ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’ which was purple in colour. You also can’t escape some of the classic vocal samples that are cut into this one too, adding to the rawness of that boombap sound. Emerald Tablet brings strings to bear on this before the beat kicks in elevates the adrenaline levels. This one speaks on being authentic in this modern era, a time when the rise of AI and digital media makes it easy for people to create something that they don’t have to think much about. Cymarshall states he is the ‘Emerald Tablet among iPads’, the Emerald Tablet being a cryptic text from 8^th or 9^th century CE that is attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. This shows the difference between something created by someone thousands of years ago, from knowledge alone, as opposed to a digital construct that allows people to create something without too much thought. Creating something that is truly authentic allows people to connect with you in different ways, giving depth and feeling to what you do. Side-A ends with One Warning, which features another legendary UK figure in Leaf Dog. Heavy Drums and horns give this one a sound that seems to seep into the very core of your being. This one seems to have that vibe of how things change from when you were younger to the present day. When you were young you got just one warning about things and that set up on how things played out as you grew but, these days it seems that people need to have things repeated to them over again, there is not the respect there used to be. Maybe I’m not getting the right message but, I really felt that as I listened, that there was this air of giving respect to those for what they have achieved.

So, spinning over to Side-B, we are straight back into it with Shell Toes. Here the drum break and horns give this one soundtrack vibe, elevating the sound a couple of levels and getting you jumping, forget the bouncing. Now, you might think from the title that this one is going to be a homage to the classic Adidas sneakers but, this one goes above and beyond that with the Shell Toes being a symbol of what this is all about, which is all about what you put into what you do. The Shell Toes have always been synonymous with Hip Hop and here it’s all about constantly putting in the work and elevating your craft, constantly pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Better Win brings a new sound to your ears, with new percussion vibes, chilled basslines and sonic sounds that seem to get you floating along giving more attention to the vocals. There is this kind of faint ragga air mixed into to this one too especially with the way Cymarshall Law drops his vocals. As you listen to this you get the feeling that this one is all about not sitting back and getting too comfortable to being in one flow, one style, one vibe, It’s all about keeping it fresh and delivering real lived experience that the listener can associate with and focusing on the best possible outcome in life. With that thought in mind, we move on to the Tables Turning, Where the drums pound but, the multi-layered background sound has a more lo-fi vibe that gives you a sound to chill to. This one gave me chills as it really focused on the fact that Hip Hop, the Real Hip Hop, is coming back, silencing the critics and proving that the roots have always been there and are still inspiring people to bring it back. It is something that I have felt in a lot of the music that I review, I know that real Hip Hop is still out there, regardless of the views of so many, including the internet critics. This one really mirrors my feeling on the culture, and that is what gave me those chills. Next up is Aurora where Ramson Badbonez ups the pace a bit with a banging beat that is backed with organ and more giving you sound that really gets the adrenaline moving. Cymarshall Law gives us a solid display of raw Hip Hop braggadocio, taking self-expression to new heights and giving us the kind of track that just makes you nod your head for the quality of the wordplay. We now come to the penultimate track of the album, Dust Settles, where the drums and accompanying keys, give us this deep sound that gets you moving while vibrating through you to the core. When you hit the game with force, you are going to kick up a lot of dust, and right here Cymarshall Law is unloading plenty of verbal lead, causing huge amounts of dust to be kicked up in the process. This means that many will fall by the wayside in the face of such an onslaught and begs the question, just who will be left standing when the Dust Settles. After such a powerful statement, you might think that’s the end of the album, but no, there is one bonus track left, which is Here I Am featuring Pacewon, DJ Jazz T on the cut, and bass from JCA. Ramson Badbonez rounds things off with a solid banger hits with some heavy pounding beats with some background sounds that give this one an edge that seems to weigh on you from all sides. This one sees our two emcees trading verses in a blistering display of wordplay that goes to prove, in one three minute track, that Hip Hop is well and truly alive and kicking.

 

The first thing that strikes you about this album is the feeling of just how raw it feels. It makes you feel that what went into making this was pure unadulterated passion for expressing the essence of true Hip Hop music. It might not have some of the deep conscious vibes that a lot of Hip Hop is displaying right now but, what is does display is a deep desire to strip things down and give the listener a raw display of what Hip Hop wordplay and the sound is all about. 

What Cymarshall Law and Ramson Badbonez have done here is to perfectly display a mix of production and rap that encapsulates exactly what Hip Hop music is, while also demonstrating their own, individual abilities.

Cymarshall Law shows what being a heavy hitter is all about by displaying a talent for slick and intricate wordplay while being able switch that across a range of flows that keep the listener engaged not matter what he is saying along the way. His technique just seems to blow you away, especially as it shows his deep love and appreciation for rap and the whole Hip Hop culture.

Ramson Badbonez shows that an emcee can use that knowledge of wordplay and flow to craft beats that work perfectly for bringing focus to an emcee’s words, while still giving the listener an enjoyable experience. Plus, his production is, at times, as intricate as the wordplay that he himself is so adept at.

When you put these two together, they perfectly complement each other in a way that brings a new wave of appreciation and love for that true Hip Hop sound. As you listen to the album you get this feel that each has their own deep love and passion for Hip Hop and that is what brings that authentic sound to entire album. There is not one track here that does not exude that same passion and desire to bring that real Hip Hop sound to your ear. In fact, to a point here I almost forgot to mention how good the features are because each one of those features bring their own energy to the mix but, also, they bring their own love of that real Hip Hop sound, and that is why they work so well here because they all have one thing that binds them together.

Overall, there is not much more I can say except that Undiluted is a passionate and raw homage to Hip Hop and its sound. This album shows that Hip Hop is a sound that is universally recognised and unites people and nations the world over. So, no matter what you take from this album, what it says to you or how much you enjoy it, remember that one thing it has always stood for, Unity…

My huge thanks to Eskar at Nuke Fam Records for giving me that chance to bring you my take on this truly outstanding album.

 

Undiluted is out today and available on limited edition clear vinyl and cassette copies plus, digital of course. So go grab your copy now…

 

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy Here:

https://nukefamrecords.bandcamp.com/album/undiluted

Cymarshall Law Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/cymarshall.law.2025

https://www.instagram.com/cymarshalllaw/

Ramson Badbonez Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/ramson.badbonez

https://www.instagram.com/ramson_badbonez/

Nuke Fam Records Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069127714724

https://www.instagram.com/nukefamrecords/

VIDEOS

Cymarshall Law Interview