🐣 R.BLACK — ALIEN MONSTER

⌾ LISTEN TO R.BLACK ALIEN MONSTER ⌾ There's a lot to like about 'Alien Monster' by R.Black. The synths twisting and melding with each other in the background definitely effuse a sense of, well, alien-ness and that's the first thing: this unobtrusive instrumental that, without getting in the way of what Houston-based, Jamaica-born musicmaker is doing with his voice, still conjures this bizarre backdrop of retro UFOs and pixellated, far-off galaxies.

Vocally, and lyrically, 'Alien Monster' is a gem. There's this hushed, rapid rap to begin with – featuring the no-bullshit of "I'm young and reckless / I'll snatch your breakfast" – and later on this slower, playground rhyme kinda rhythm, that kicks off with "Lover not a fighter / not a coward I'm a writer."

With this and other references to the literal craft of rapping, the skill of hopping on the beat, contending with nouns and verbs, R.Black has some originality that makes listening to his bars almost like hearing an alien man from outer space, which he mentions throughout. Combine with prime useage of reverb on some lines, brazen inexplicable yells and yelps for ad-libs, and you get a feel for the unique hype that is at work in 'Alien Monster'.

---

• 🔔 Get to R.Black's SoundCloud to hear more (since 'Alien Monster' the tracks have mostly been produced by others and don't have the same soul, personal touch or DIY charm present in this track).

---

📠
☟ R.Black Internet Presence ☟
facebook ⚘ soundcloud ⚘ youtube ⚘ instagram ⚘ spotify

---

---

🐣 8 EIGHT — PREE

"Why pree, why pree, why pree…"—What are you looking at? This is the central phrase, indeed the eponymous hook, to the luscious 'Pree' by Miami-based 8 Eight. The question, a casual enquiry, resounds catchy in the chorus, descending in a cyclical dance of rhythm and melody. In its colloquial style and simple but unpredictable pattern the vocal swerves and weaves through the lush laid-back vibrancy of the track; rapid and dancehall-flavoured but effortless and balanced, it skips along with its purposeful autotune, sometimes richly layered in harmonies, the 22-year-old 8 Eight's Caribbean roots imbued in the bounce of it all.

This singing swings above a calm nocturnal instrumental courtesy of Balistic Beats, something warm and sultry and utterly groovesome. Synth chords resonate with chilled majesty, the bass booms subtly on each count of the four-four rhythm for undeniable kinetic energy, the beat thickets with clustering click-clacking clatter of percussive elements echoing, popping and thudding. How these elements seem to carefully wrap the vocals in satin sheen, how the track summons its slow-motion dreamlike atmosphere, how it shudders resplendent with potential.

---

• 🔔 Peep more over at 8 Eight's SoundCloud.

---

---

📠
☟ 8 Eight Internet Presence ☟
soundcloud ⚘ facebook ⚘ twitter ⚘ instagram

---

---