Souled Out

Firstly I love that name. Reminds me of either WCW or NJPW Ren Narita! Such an impactful sentence that usually means someone has lost their way and gave in to temptations. But in this case it just means ‘I’m almost 40 and this shit TOO EASY for me, time to’ SOUL OUT! This is the brand new 7 track album by the underground’s Lucha -Action Figure 973 and this time he brings with him the Producer -Don Danon and together they drop this new project that’s inspired by Actions trip to England to France! A simple concept that turns masterful in the hands of these two! Let me tell you why! Let’s start with the production, Don ironically brings that ‘soulful’ instrumentation that makes your heart and mind levitate in pure co operation. Considering this album is only 18 minutes the beat selections and atmosphere created is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you’re talking about the track -WILLIAM REGAL which of course has that wrestling element that I love. This song consists of this beautiful vocal synchronous harmony that connects throughout the whole track that also features those luscious bass strings and methodically charged violin strings and drums! This track had me feeling a strong sense of smooth and organic vibes that I loved! There’s tracks like ‘EYEFUL’ which once again has a vocal harmony running through but in a very different tone and aspect. This one is a more fully fledged verse that has this 1950’s classic feel to it in that lovely female voice taking the track from start to finish! This song also has those sharp strings in the background and minimal strings as well as these truly surreal drum work that makes this one feel truly passionate in execution! What about the track ‘NO FLY TIPPING’ which has the more synth heavy 80’s feel like an action movie montage! From that glorious interlude at the start that later turns into this rhythmic score full of mesmerising strings, lively drums and some synth keys! A real synth pop vibe mixed with boom Bap which creates a unique sound you don’t normally hear! It I’ve said it once, then I’ll say it again a million times. No one raps like Action! I’ve got a lot of hip hop friends who don’t like his style for their own reasons but for me his combination of free lance method and his own pop culture meets trash talk style makes for a technique that no one else is on right now! He can turn an 18 minute project feel like an hour long masterpiece on his charisma and personality alone! He might hide behind a mask but his passion, conviction and skill are in a league of their own that can’t be contained! Just the idea of making an album based on a trip and it comes out this vivid and impactful is insane! Who else can do that? He just woke up one day and decided ‘I got a spare 18 minutes to murder, let’s do it’ and does it! No features just him and his talent! I love on the first track he says ‘I told myself I need to do more of the shit that scares me’ that’s how you OPEN the album? If that ain’t the more Confucius style bars I’ve ever heard in my life then I don’t know what is! I love how one moment he’s on his ‘fuck yall shit!’ Then the very next like he’s describing killing the game with a wrestling move, then the very next line getting head or a girl masturbating, then the very next line watching goodfellas on a plane! He’s so unpredictable with his topic and verses that it makes all his bars feel like a dope surprise waiting to be unpacked! Look, for a project that’s under 20 minutes this thing slaps harder than a Wagner Driver! His chemistry with Don is golden and I hope we can hear more of them together soon!