LAWAY!

We are so back! And this time we are going in time 2 years! But I’ll tell you what, when I heard the first track on this record I was like ‘yup this is exactly how I expected the artwork to sound like’ talk about a perfect combination! I’ve so far reviewed two of his albums and gotten two different listening experiences, will I be getting a third here? Let’s find out! This is the 4th of October 2024 record by MC Memphis Reigns and Producer ‘Balance’ of -Digital Martyrs and they drop this entertaining as hell 10 track record (with an extra 10 tracks for the instrumental counterparts) and features the likes of -Yoko -Mestizo -Uptown Swuite -Riley Delos Santos -El Da Sensei -Sentence -Azuma -Jehzen Exclusive -Malika -Gel Roc And man as I expected this third record I’ve heard is yet again another version of the man I’ve yet to see before! Long story short what I can say about the aesthetic of this one is -Bold, Cinematic, Thrilling! In the long story long, we have -Balance on this album who has created this atmosphere of what reminds me of the -Cyberpunk universe in it’s electronically grim nature, it’s Blade Runner style intensity and dangerous yet high paced level of soundtrack to accompany this album! The first track -Ghost In The Shell kicks off that narrative perfectly! As we get those menacing style chord loops that evolve into that thrilling synth style keys in the background that sounds like an evil daft punk! Combined with those swaying strings and methodically paced drum patterns with that thickened bass that all comes together like a track you’d expect to hear in a 21st century apocalypse! Also obviously referencing that classic anime film of the same name! There’s the track -Per Diem which has those sharp and shrieking chords that kick the track off that’s also combined those atmospherically charged keys that have this beautiful ambience to them that later kick off those hypnotic drums that make this song feel like a lo fi fever dream! As if you were plugged into the matrix and force feed harmony and bliss! Even the track -Fog Of War which sounds like the final war cry for a civilisation going against the tyrannical government! You’ve got those distorted chords going off in that eerie loop that is combined with what sounds like some subtle flute samples and light drum work that makes this one feel even more dark in its execution! Not to mention the ending to that track in true -Mission impossible or 007 style where it plays that ‘if you were to die, we will erase all knowledge of you’ type deal which I found super badass! The point is -Balance set up this dystopian world using the music itself and to accompany this beautiful chaos created is Memphis and company alike! Memphis on this one is letting the grand score made by Balance to run through him as he creates what could be described as his most thrilling performances yet! It’s as if he’s both writer and participant of the so called ‘cyber apocalypse’ and it sounds like each new song is him at different intervals of the situation and he’s describing to us his feelings, thoughts and actions! He’s always been the type of guy to make his words (regardless of the context) feel larger than life and surreal to the listener. Like an Oscar worthy author able tell stories in any genre! Combine that with this level of action and intensity and this man and his creative streak can take you to places you didn’t think possible with his verses! Lyrically speaking this is the matrix, cyberpunk anime and blade runner all rolled into one! It had me engaged the entire time. I feel more impressed with this record BECAUSE I’ve heard his prior. If this was the first one I heard of his I’d still be impressed but considering I’ve heard the various styles he’s pulled off across his other two and now a third new style with this? It’s ridiculous how good he is! Of course this album comes with many features who act as his A-Team to survive said apocalypse and using their strong and sharp performances to do so! He’s 3 for 3 in my book! 3 different themes with 3 different producers. The Hip Hop 3 Peat of creativity! Don’t sleep on it, check it out now!