Infinite Sounds UK: True Hold Records

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Friday, 26 September 2025

Album Review: Shadows by Conscious Route and Supermann on da Beat

Shadows

Conscious Route & Supermann on da Beat

Shadows is the latest release from Conscious Route and marks his debut collaboration with producer Supermann on da Beat. The album was released a few months back now and well overdue having the Infinite Sounds UK treatment.

If you are a regular visitor to the blog then you will have seen my previous reviews for Edinburgh based emcee Conscious Route, LostRoutes (with True Note from 2021) and Belterz (2023), if not then feel free to check those as well. Both of which have received high praise from the likes of The Scotsman and The Skinny Magazine. His recent releases such as Trojan and The Sensory EP have received worldwide airplay from the likes of DJ Shorty, Rapstation 365 Radio, BBC 6 Music and the legendary Chuck D. His music has also been named among the Herald’s top 100 Scottish tunes in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. On the live stage he has supported the likes of Dead Prez, Onyx, and Jeru Tha Damaja, to name a very few.

This is the first time that I have heard production from Supermann on da Beat and so it is only right I introduce you to him. Sanjeev Mann aka Supermann on da Beat is a Scottish based disabled South Asian producer. He brings a unique blend of influences to his production that includes bands like Nirvana to artists such as Kanye West, Nas, and XXXTentacion, to bring a fresh perspective to the UK scene. He learnt his craft while studying YouTube videos on music production during the Pandemic. This has led to a somewhat meteoric rise in Scotland’s Hip Hop scene and seen him collaborate with artists worldwide such as Chef The Rapper, Genesis Elijah, Mic Righteous, Krudd The Guru and Rockie Fresh. He has hit some huge milestones including a BBC Documentary and 6 entries on BBC Introducing, leading to becoming on the UK’s hottest upcoming producers. 2024 saw him release his debut solo project, which drew on spoken word and grunge to address issues facing disabled people. He has performed at events like Wide Days and New School Rules. His work to highlight the under-representation of disabled artists has led to a vital campaign to make venues fully accessible, and appearing on BBC Scotland, STV, Daily Record and BBC Radio 4.

The Shadows album was born, initially, from a loose promise from Conscious Route to collaborate on a track with Supermann on da Beat. However, although both were working on other projects, this grew into a handful of tracks recorded together and now the full ten track album which reflects their personalities and life experiences, Conscious Route with his often personal lyricism and Supermann bringing production that brings a soundscape that encompasses classic Boom-bap, trap, R&B inflected Hip Hop and more.

They have kept guest appearances light on the album with Stirling’s Pro Focus, Edinburgh’s Bridget Quinn, Glasgow’s P Caso, Milla, and Johnny Cypher (Glasgow), featuring on just four tracks between them. There is also an appearance from Jabbathakut on the album’s title track. This is done to bring a sense of community to the project while also highlighting both Conscious Route’s and Supermann on da Beat’s work with both local and up-and-coming artists, something that is frequently overlooked.

So, with all that said you now have a good introduction in what’s about to come, and now I invite you to join me for a deep dive into Shadows…

Super Smooth kicks things off on the smooth tip with chilled out vibe of piano, guitar, and horns over a laid-back beat, giving you a subtle head nod sound that makes you listen more intently to the lyrics; here we find Conscious Route opening up by taking a few shots at the music industry. You get this real sense that this is like friends sat round speaking on their experiences of the industry and how its set up to properly support the up-and-coming artists to actually make a living from their craft, but more to support the platforms that ‘promote’ the music, and I use the term Promote, loosely. Pro Focus joins us for Fashion as Supermann on da Beat switches things up with acoustic guitars and a trap beat that brings a vibe that claws at your nerves a little. The switch up in beat see’s Conscious Route and Pro Focus trading bars and tweaking their flows to match the sound. That quick-fire vocal style gives a challenge to feel the message here but, there is this feel that there is this vibe that looks at the lack of originality out there right now where there is too much being said that panders to what people want to hear without really saying anything of significance, there is a distinct lack of authenticity being shown and that produces a hollow sound with no substance, just going with the current trend. Plastic Bag opens with a vibe that seems to envelope your mind, closing in on you but, the production shifts throughout which never lets you settle long enough, like sitting on a slowly spinning round-a-bout in a dark room. Conscious Route does a superb job of switching his flows to the changing sound, the inferred darkness in the sound also comes through in the lyrics which seem to mirror the tough times we live in and how struggles of making a living can play with your mind as you constantly search for ways to survive or perhaps looking for a way out. Whatever you get from this track there is a deep emotive edge that permeates everything from the first beat to the last bar. Piano notes open Dubplate before another trap beat drops in giving this one more pace but, again, the production shifts across the track testing Conscious Route once more, taking the opportunity to flex his wordplay skills, giving us a demonstration of his versatility. There is an energy and perhaps some venom in this one that gives it a vibe that comes from a higher plane, speaking to you in a way that impresses the words directly into the subconscious. We move towards the mid-point of the album with the title track, which features Jabbathakut on the cut. Shadows has a head nod vibe to it which comes from the beat but, there is this organ sound which grabs at your awareness, holding your attention as the lyrics are impressed on you. Here Conscious Route spins some intricate wordplay that at first might just seem like a slick display of those words but, the more you listen, the more you realise that this is so much more than that with deeply personal insights that touch on how your own personal experiences have an effect how you grow as a person. But more than that it looks at how lived experience has such a deep impact on how we see the world around us, our own thoughts and how we cope with everything that comes from outside us but, also from within.

We move into the second half of the album with Purge, this sees Johnny Cypher join Conscious Route on vocals. Supermann on da Beat brings piano and string infused sound which has a classic head nod sound that is reminiscent of that 90’s Hip Hop vibe. Cypher and Route trade verses and bars that not only displays the versatility of their wordplay but also gives an insight into how they see their craft and scene they are a part of. Again, there is a deeply personal element to this that should not be overlooked but felt. Next up, Bridget Quinn and P Caso feature on Jazz Unsung. The piano takes the forefront over the beat, giving this the kind of jazz vibe that you can’t help but move to. This one is all about speaking on the sound of jazz music and those who brought and experimented with that sound, and while Conscious Route and P Caso school us intricacies and depth of Jazz, Bridget Quinn brings a quintessential soulful vocal that you can’t help but drift away to. This is definitely one to just sit back and vibe to. Safety brings a host of live instruments in to compliment Supermann on da Beat’s Production and something I always feel adds extra depth too. The sound here has a mix of influences from Hip Hop, RnB, and a sprinkling of trap too. This gives the whole thing a sound that has a reflective edge with an emotive air. Here Conscious Route brings one verse which serves as a bridge between the soulful vocals of Milla. The track which looks at love and relationships and the sad things that so often are apart of those relationships such as betrayal, heartbreak, and trust issues. This is one of those tracks that so many of us can easily relate to, and the emotive edge to the vocals makes it all the more so. We move into the penultimate tracks of the album, Overstood, where we find Supermann on da Beat bringing us a nerve jangling sound with a trap edge to it. The sound has an edge that seems to play havoc with your mind, or is that just my ADHD head? Here we find Conscious Route taking shots at the fake rappers out there and those who think that can make money off the back of Eminem, by being sound-a-likes or simply shouting their lyrics. This might be a short track but, it says just as much as the others. I mean, there are going to be times when rappers are ging to sound like others but, the key is to bring something new to the table, make your sound authentic and relatable, don’t just be like someone else because it sells. The final track of the album is Squashed, where Supermann on da Beat creates another beat that mashes up different influences and mixes them up and that drops a sound that seems to shatter what you thought was possible, which gives this one a sound that seems to be erratic but, on a stable base? Conscious Route gives us some more intricate wordplay that serves to gives us an insight into the fractured mind where everything can appear stable and sane but, can change in an instant…

Shadows is an album that you cannot label as one genre. Yes, it has its roots in the Hip Hop sound but, it takes that sound and steps outside the box with it, then infuses a wealth of other influences with it and returns with a finished product that encapsulates the definition of the experimental nature of music. What that does is to bring a diverse range of fans, a sound that is not going to be out of place in many different circles. This is a highly listenable album where, even the bits you might not be a fan of, don’t really seem to be out of place. I myself am not a fan of trap music, I find that high paced tapping, cymbal sound to take the focus away from what is underneath. However, here it has been done in a way that makes you feel that it just seems to work, where it has been placed, there is not feelings that it is too out of place, and, for me, that is an accomplishment.

I always enjoy the depth and the versatility of what Conscious Route does with his flows and his wordplay, mixing it up and deftly following the tone and pace of the tracks. His words have a complexity and depth of feeling that display a connection with himself and those who might be listening, in a way that has a deep spiritual side to it, and this is something that I feel we all need to hear more and more. Music that gives us a deep introspection and a direction to take that is so valuable for us all as we walk forward in a world that seeks destroy our oneness.

Having not heard production from Supermann on da Beat before now, I was suitable impressed with his ability to craft emotive sounds from such a wide range of influences, and for someone who has not been crafting beats for that long, in the grand scheme of things, he is to be commended for that. In fact, it does seem to be that he has a natural ability for bringing alive the sound that is the perfect platform for whoever is gracing the beats. I also salute him for bringing a spotlight on to disabled artists/producers. This is an area where there is not enough diversity in the music business and Supermann on da Beat is a beacon to those out there, showing just what you can achieve, no matter your disability.

Shadows takes a diverse range of sounds and focuses them on an equally diverse range of topics that anyone of us can associate with. It them delivers something them in one package that seems to go beyond it running time, making you feel you have been listening so something much longer. You also come away with a sense that you understand the true passion that went into making it, and the individual messages that each track holds.

Additional Shouts go out to the following:

Digital Dyer for the Artwork.

Chris Greive (Trombone) & Geoffrey Williams (Guitar) on Safety.

If you have not heard this yet then, it is well worth you giving your time to.

I give my humble thanks to Conscious Route for the chance to bring this one too you.

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Purchase and Streaming links Here:

Conscious Route - Shadows LP

https://trueholdrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shadows

Conscious Route Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/conscious_route/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/34250355773

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGXi9naG7p5CPxdJcvJCviQ

Supermann on da Beat:

https://linktr.ee/supermannon_dabeat

VIDEOS

Shadows ft Jabbathakut

Friday, 17 November 2023

Album Review: Belterz by Conscious Route

Belterz

Conscious Route

It’s good to finally be able to bring you another release from one of Scotland’s premier Hip Hop artists, Conscious Route, with his new album Belterz.

I want the man himself to give you the lowdown on this new project before I delve any further into it:

Belterz, the new album project by Conscious Route is a social exploration of his personal experience of a changing society and culture, highlighting the insights of an ageing person living life and being an artist in the music Industry.

Conscious Route draws upon years of experience in the music industry as he casts an eye over the state of hip-hop culture and the trials of getting noticed as an underground artist. His vocals mesh perfectly with those of his guests, bringing an array of vocal styles and accents as the music flips from hip-hop head-nodders to a UK Garage throwback, some soul-tinted melodies, dub, and beyond.

The feature-heavy project boasts guest appearances from some of Scotland's finest, with tunes featuring Empress, YBxgtown, Kryptik, Lynzie Dray, Milles Better, Gluco, Jennifer Anne Todd, One Oz, Mistah Bohze, MacKenzie, JabbaThaKut, Wends, Becci Wallace, Solareye, Queen of Harps and Pro Focus.

The album musically and lyrically navigates a range of sounds and social topics, uniting the introspective with social observation, as we have come to expect from Conscious Route. Most of the production is handled battle rapper/ producer MacKenzie, with just two tracks (‘2 Guys’ produced by Tzusan and ‘Essence’ produced by Vagrant Real Estate) produced by others. Guest musicians, Chris Greive & Scott Bathgate also appear across 5 songs. With Scott Bathgate adding subtlety to ‘Ducks in a Row’ and an eerie edge to ‘Underground’, while Chris Greive brings extra trombone to the subtle style of ‘Late’, nuance to ‘Heart on Sleeves’ and a mix of Jazz influenced keys and trombone with the track ‘2 Guys’.

With all that said, it is also worth noting that the album also features the talents of John Dyer for the artwork. Now, there is probably enough info there to get your pulse racing with anticipation, so join me know on a journey through the album and what it brings to mind…

The thirteen-track album kicks off with Amorphous Shape, which features Empress, the melodic beat is backed by keys and guitar vibes, this gives the sound a deep reflective air. There is a distinct difference between the vocals of Conscious Route and Empress, where Route brings a more relaxed flow while Empress has far more pace to her flow. This track really seems to speak on reflecting on their careers to date and how there is this amorphous nature to being an artist, allowing you to mould yourself to whatever sound comes your way and still being able to be 100% you and 100% authentic in the delivery. Next is Pretentious, featuring YBxGtown, this one has a head nod quality from the heavy beat, while it is backed by some guitar and keys that also bring a slightly chilled edge to things which allows the sound to guide you along to the words. This one focuses on the desire to bring more of the roots and the authentic nature of Hip Hop back to sound. A lot of the rappers and ‘so-called’ Hip Hop acts that are promoted in the industry are so far from the roots of the culture. There is that pretentious air to these acts, trying to be more than they are, whereas the true nature of the Hip Hop sound is to be yourself, be authentic and reflect what you see around you in your lyrics. Kryptik now joins Conscious Route on Carry On, this one has a more modern feel to it with some nerve tingling electronic notes helping to mix things up. This track deals with how artists perform live and the fact that there are a lot of those artists who perform their music over the original track and not to an instrumental version. Hip Hop was always about performing live music to the fans and delivering that music with energy and a pure love of what you do, without that does it really show a love for the music or simply a desire to make money?

Ducks In A Row, features Lynzie Dray and Milles better alongside Scott Bathgate on guitar, The deep drum beat with bass and live guitar gives this a heavy, emotive vibe, and your only kept from sliding in too deep by that trap style ticking. The soulful chorus adds more to the emotive nature of the track which brings focus to the diverse nature of the world around us, the challenges and nature of the stigma and discrimination this brings. In a society where there is such a diverse range of people on so many levels, it is important to remember to move with the times and always be aware of the changes around you and how you approach situations, even in your music. Sugar Coated, features Gluco and has a soulful air about it with the guitar and strings that provide a background to the drum beat and bass. Here we find that a sugar coating is one thing that you can’t do with the authentic underground scene. When you do something for the love of the culture and the music, it is difficult to get you name known, especially because this is where the artist speak on what matters, there is no sugar coating the words they say in delivering the stark realities of live through music. Essence is the first track that is not produced by Mackenzie, being produced by Vagrant Real Estate, and featuring Jennifer Anne Todd. This one has a definite Garage feel to it with the up-tempo drum beat, keys and bass. The message in this one is all about staying true to the roots of any genre, as the essence of what you do. There are so many differing sounds these days that it is often hard to know what you are hearing (as a reviewer that is definitely something I can struggle with). There are so many modern sounds that use rap but, are not Hip Hop in there essence, and sometimes those modern sounds can be very alike that it is hard define them.

Day Ones has features from One OZ, Mistah Bohze and Mackenzie alongside Jabbathakut on the cuts. With a lineup like this you just know it’s gonna be pure head nod Hip Hop, and you won’t be disappointed as the beat hits with bass and guitar vibes. This one has that posse cut vibe about it as each emcee goes in big time, dropping the kind of verses that show exactly why each one of them stands out as some of the best to pick up the mic. Late finds conscious Route joined by Wends on vocals and Chris Greive on trombone, for a reggae dub vibe and soulful chorus. Now, I might be wrong here but, this one seems to speak on the pressures of being an artist, writing, recording, and getting your music out into the public domain where it can be heard by as many people as possible. It's not an easy task but, the rewards of hearing it on the radio and knowing how many people are listening are priceless. Underground features Becci Wallace on vocals and Scott Bathgate on Guitar and Keyboards, the beat is heavy with an eerie, melodic edge. This one speaks to me of the nature of relationships; they are part of everything we do in life and extend from personal relationships and into professional ones. How we see and manage those relationships is often key to some of the most important decisions in our life but, they are also key to who we are and how we are able to develop as a person. Positive relationships can life us up and help us move in the right direction, while negative ones can bring us down and set back our life’s journey.

Original features Solareye and brings up-tempo sound that mixes electronic 8-bit style sounds with a heavy beat and rapid trap music style ticking sounds, this creates a weird balance between the old and new, the fast and slow, finishing with a change of style as a heavy bass vibe carries us out of the track. The title of the track speaks volumes here, this sound might not be for everyone but, the message here is that there are times when you have to bring a style that is ‘original’, just to keep the listener buzzing. This one does just that drawing on many influences to bring an original sound to might no be expecting. Hearts On Sleaves sees Queen Of Harps and Lynzie Dray feature on vocals with Chris Greive on Trombone. The sound mixes melodic guitar, a heavy drum beat and bass, with an almost reggae trombone and that more modern Trap style ticking sound, it all comes together to create this deep multi-layered vibe. There is a deeper aspect to this track as you get the idea that this one speaks on emotions, especially those brought up as you move through life and look back on the choices you made in the past and the regrets often attached to them But, at the same time there is an air of learning from those mistakes and moving forward regardless. It is ok to have regrets as long as we learn from them and not wallow in them. The penultimate track is Two Guys and features Pro Focus on vocals, Chris Greive on trombone and keyboards, and is produced by Tzusan. Here xylophone notes mix with piano, over which is a drum beat and this multi-layered sound of horns and electronic elements. This creates this sound that seems to combine grime, hip hop, and soundtrack vibes, it’s hard to pin this one down really. Conscious Route and Pro Focus bounce off each other spinning stories of two guys living in the rap dimension. It’s all about cleaver wordplay and weaving stories that may have their basis in fact and may not, does that really matter when it’s that enjoyable. The album ends with a bonus Day Ones (Remix), the remix turns the head nod vibe of the original into an out and out boom bap banger, with an infectious beat and some recognizable guitar samples thrown in for good measure. This one should have the clubs and airwaves bouncing for sure, so turn it up…

Belterz is some ride, that’s for sure. It is a genre breaking album that doesn’t pin itself down to one genre, except that the one thing linking all the tracks is rap. From top to bottom this album demonstrates the versatility and quality of Conscious Route as an artist. He shows that his amorphous rap nature gives him the ability to stretch himself to a variety of rap flows and styles, showing just how much of an accomplished artist he is, no matter which genre he applies his skills to.

Mackenzie’s production reflects the versatility of Conscious Routes rap styles, as he mixes up the genres within the soundscapes to provide the perfect platform for Conscious Route to bounce off. The addition of additional production from Tzusan and Vagrant Real Estate, just adds to depth and diverse nature of the project.

With the project having such a guest heavy element, it was spot on adding this wealth of talent that each adds their own depth, style, and accent to the project, helping to add that element of icing to the cake, as it were.

It has to be said that there will be those who will not gel with all the sounds and genres featured here and that is just one of those things as you can’t please all of the people all of the time. But this album does appeal to a wide range of listeners, many of whom do enjoy a wealth of cross genre vibes.

Overall, this is an underground rap album that draws on elements from many genres to create a highly enjoyable listen. Production and vocals are all top notch, not just helping to cement Conscious Route as one of Scotland’s finest and most accomplished artists but, at the same time the album showcases some of Scotland’s finest underground artists. There is also that element of the live instrumentation that gives extra depth to the sound too.

Belterz shows that Scotland has a lot to offer in underground rap music and Conscious Route is one of those accomplished artists that are singing the countries praises from the highest rooftops.

Belterz is out now on True Hold Records.

Time for me to be out.

See Ya,

Steve.

LINKS

Get Belterz on Bandcamp:

https://trueholdrecords.bandcamp.com/album/belterz

Streaming Links via the Conscious Route Website:

https://consciousroute.com/belterz-album

Conscious Route Website:

https://consciousroute.com/

Conscious Route Social Media: