Bliss n Eso’s Off The Grid has officially dropped. Originally scheduled for Friday March 10, it was delayed due to the incredibly distressing circumstances surrounding the Friend Like You film clip. The album opens with title track Off The Grid. It features numerous MMA and UFC references in the lyrics, even going so far as to name drop UFC sensation Conor McGregor – paralleling their skill levels. It’s the kind of boastful lyrics we love to hear from our favourite MCs, and after five years of Bliss n Eso radio silence, it’s particularity loveable. Tear The Roof follows with a dope opening verse before rolling into a more mumble rap beat, which is heard again in the track Coolin’. It follows a trend of Aussie rappers hitting mumble beats to rival their US contemporaries. Bliss N Eso have always had an international meets Australian sound, so they were always going to experiment with the genre.
New to the Burn city scene, Jack Crooks has dropped his first EP. Etta rolled out over the weekend as a tiny five track diddy to good times. The EP is peppered with playful lyricism over wild jazz trumpets, spliced with a smattering of experimental auto-tuning. It’s got a distinctive, chilled vibe, kind of like how Mike Skinner would sound if he grew up in paradise. That is to say punchy lyrics, wacky flow, but with a jazz undertone opposed to a garage influence. Plus Jack’s laid back lyricism allows him to drop disparaging remarks about himself in one sentence, and in the next sentence proudly declare his awesomeness. It’s a reputable debut EP, with another sneaky MMA reference thrown in to respect the Pettis Showtime Kick.
New Zealand born David Dallas has blessed us with Hood Country Clubs. You can go on for a second or third listen of the album and find yourself nodding in agreement again and again to sharp delivery and honest writing. There are stories from David Dallas’ climb up the ranks of the music world, his views on politics, and even his struggles with the rent. Dallas had said he wanted to take the time to perfect his work before releasing the album. That was the right call, as the production is clockwork. He is hitting 170 Russell on Sunday June 11with Horrorshow.
Kojey Radical has announced a show at The Curtin on Friday June 9. The UK rapper is playing songs from Dear Daisy: Opium and Gallon. His latest album release was 23Winters, which came out last year. It was fairly hard-hitting, garnering him big respect in the London alternative scene. The rawness of Bambu or Rent’s Due, resonates because while the subject matter is heavy, the execution is beautiful. His authenticity shines through the lyrics, adding a charm that belies the seriousness of his lines. His back catalogue is a must for spoken word enthusiasts and a stark lesson in how writing can turn rough life lessons into art.
