My relationship with lofi hip hop is pretty spotty. So much of the genre sounds the same that it's hard for me to justify adding any more into my collection. That said the Samurai Beatsmith continues to deliver interesting album after interesting album within the genre.
On Gaijin III, Mr. Nang explores a wide array of influences. The typical beat driven lofi songs are of course present, as are the incredibly well done east Asian influences that I've enjoyed so much from previous entries into the Gaijin series. The album also incorporates a heavy dose of jazz (complete with trumpet solos), some lounge music, and even some ambient and field recording thrown in for good measure. Hell, we even have some spoken word with the intro and a few of the interludes. There is so. much. here.
It's not just that the songs are consistently good throughout the album, it's how the pacing is handled. No two songs sound the same, and even though some may sound similar they are spaced out in such a way that the album never overstays its welcome. Each of the four sides plays like a self contained EP, and each has warranted multiple listens on the turntable today. I simply cannot get enough of this album.
The real beauty of the album though is on Side D. The final song, A Collision Course Between Two Kins, is one of the best closing songs I've heard in some time. It drops the beats in favor of a more melody and atmospheric approach. It brings a wonderful contrast to a majority of the album and feels like an incredibly fitting conclusion to an epic 80 minute journey.
Much like the other two Gaijin albums, Rise of Jiro will have a permanent place in my collection. Whenever I want to listen to lofi Elijah Nang is one of the first artists that comes to mind. There is no one else close to his level within this musical sphere.
No comments:
Post a Comment