YOKAI

First of all, can we all just appreciate how dope that album art is! Sometimes an artwork can strike your senses before you’ve even pressed play and this is definitely one of those occasions. It’s time to cover an album I actually heard would be happening a while ago and now that it’s here you best believe I’m hyped! So let’s go! This is the brand new album by MC -Anthony Kannon and Producer -Machacha and together they drop this 9 track, 32 minute experience that features the likes of -World Be Free -Doza The Drum Dealer Two absolutely INSANE names to add to any project and especially one done by Machacha? The definition of overkill. Let’s start with the MC work first. On this one we hear Anthony at possibly his most relentless and cold we’ve heard him yet! After some extensive feature work I heard him on for Declan’s past work it was clear then his talent and it’s even more so 10x fold here. I’d go on a limb and say this might be Machacha’s most hypnotic work since his work with Doza! Anthony posses the same infectious hooks and memorable bar work that makes any bar or verse he spits feel extraordinary! In a way he gives me prime -Game aura. Cut throat performances with a slight twang to his delivery and tone that’s combined with intense and interesting pen game that makes him the triple threat! It doesn’t take long for these attributes to manifest themselves either! First track in as he starts the song off with that mesmerising chorus bars you can hear his ability to hook you into HIS world and doesn’t let go until the end of the record. I didn’t think about it until I started this album but the track -Johnny Furphy where he collaborated with Doza? This was a dream come true I didn’t know I needed until today. Both men have such similar styles and atmospheres attached to them that it just flowed unlike any other! I don’t know whose idea this was if it was Macha’s or Anthony’s but someone must of heard Doza’s album and heard the potential Because this track is ridiculous! When we discuss the Production side. I wasn’t lying when I said this might be another top tier work by Machacha (which is saying a lot) but in similar vein to Doza’s collaboration this one has a certain energy and sonic story told that I feel only a small handful of his albums have narrated so far! With that comes a few key instrumentals that I want to highlight that gave me close to goosebumps! We have tracks like that banger opener -EAST COAST KILLA which feels like a track I’d expect to hear on -Game’s ‘Doctor’s Advocate’ album! With those heavy synth style strings, truly methodically surreal drums and this subtly plucked chords in the background with some heavy bass! A truly West Coast Hip Hop atmosphere that started the record off strong! There’s tracks like -War Cry which has this fast and sporadic rhythm that I fell in love with instantly! With those fast paced piano keys in that lavish loop that’s combined with more thick bass and some rhythmic drum patterns! One of Machacha’s more stripped back instrumentals but one that scratched the itch with its speedy style! The song -CODEBREAKERS was another stand out to me for its theatrical execution. From those lush and methodical strings that have a slight echoing effect which is combined with some noisy ambient noise in the background that sounds like someone hitting garbage can lids! There’s some subtle synth chords, deep bass and some more tucked drum work that doesn’t take centre stage but adds extra texture to the track! No matter how you look at things, both Machacha and Anthony created a memorable score with this one. It’s hard hitting, sharp with ridiculously tuned instrumentals and fantastic performances by everyone involved! Yokai translated means a type of monster or demon and that is the most accurate description of this album absolutely MONSTROUS!