It’s a promising debut from the emerging Melbourne rapper.
Melbourne MC Arch the Rival has just released his debut album, Inferior Interior – a ten-track journey that presents the artist’s penchant for boom bap and trap.
Arch the Rival grew up on ’90s hip hop – a time where boom bap (a subgenre which represents the relationship between kick drum and snare drum beats) was popularised by the likes of DJ Premier and Pete Rock.
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A versatile musical asset, boom bap continues to permeate contemporary music and is celebrated on Inferior Interior. Yet, there’s more to the record than one stylistic affinity – ‘Get Money’ is underpinned by a constant keyboard line, while bass guitar comes to the fore on ‘Real Bad Boy’ and a more steady tempo underwrites track five, ‘Women, Whiskey, Weed & Whatever’s Next’ – Arch the Rival’s first self-produced work.
“I wrote this album to show no matter the mistakes you make, you can achieve great things with hard work, reflection and dedication. No shortcuts. No excuses.” Arch the Rival says of the album.
The record reaches its climax on track ten where ‘Odinson’ catapults the mood of Inferior Interior into grimy tech house territory. Singing with grit and determination, Arch the Rival’s motivations are made clear on the album finale – his pursuit to overcome fear and become the best version of himself the main motivation.
Accompanying Arch the Rival, the likes of Sam Will, Avalanche and R.F.P share productions credits on the album – one that’s a bold and barefaced debut from the rising MC.
Check out the new video for album track, ‘Hundi’, below.
Inferior Interior is out now. Give it a spin here. For more on Arch the Rival, check out his Facebook and Instagram page.
