“you can’t sit with us.”
So turns out they’re good for press!
The boys from Brockton have finally come together, after cultivating their sound separately over the course of two years the group decidedly united their various styles and strengths like the Avengers in the form of the collective’s debut album, Bad For Press.
Featuring members Jiles, Luke Bar$, SAINT LYOR, Meech, Andrew Regis, Homeinvader, Shelby Narcisse, KIRON, Ricky Felix, rlouie, and MosCouture, Van Buren Records has a highly saturated roster of talent that has been waiting to be let loose. Now with the drop of their first collective effort, the VB boys are now in top form, ready to show the world the talent that only Brockton can bring to the table.
Below are our favorite five tracks from the project! Let us know yours in the comments and enjoy the article!
It Is What It Is (ft. Luke Bar$, SAINT LYOR, Jiles, & Lord Felix)
A groovy, high-energy opener, It Is What It Is showcases various bodacious verses from the boys, starting with Luke Bar$, who speaks on lack of trust in others, time running out, and destroying pedestals. The hook is incredibly catchy with the production surrounding Bar$ voice beautifully. SAINT LYOR helms the second verse taking on topics of unhappiness, checking boxes off his hit list, and warning against getting him angry.
Jiles ego makes a surprise entrance before the man himself comes in for a gritty three-piece, taking on a reminiscent verse centered on life in the hood back in Brockton. Lord Felix closes off with the energy of a headliner, wrapping up the incredible starter in a nice neat bow.
Medic (ft. SAINT LYOR, Lord Felix, Jiles, Andrew Regis,
The second breakout single from the boys, the Medic features vocal performances from everyone outside of Luke Bar$, with the inclusion of new vocalist and longtime producer, Andrew Regis. SAINT LYOR comes in with a face-scrunching, opener, making it clear the distinction between his team and the outsiders.
He speaks on laziness and comfort-searching within the music industry and how complacency has taken hold of upcoming artists nowadays. Lord Felix vibes in hitting pockets right between the beat that accentuate the beauty of the hypnotic production. Jiles grounds the track with a stellar grungy verse, boasting his lack of trust for others outside of his collective.
Andrew Regis glides along this beat with a groovy few bars before handing it off to Meech to absolutely destroy it with a beautiful last verse. Ricky said it best:
“That’s how you f*ckin rap n*ggas rap.” - Ricky Felix
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (ft. Luke Bar$, Andrew Regis, Meech & Lord Felix)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun slows the album down completely, shifting it into a more relaxing atmosphere. Luke Bar$ leads you in with a trance-filled thoughtful verse about commitment, love, and faith.
The chorus sums up the tone of this track, loose, unbearing, and tranquil. Andrew Regis rides for his second feature of the album, doubling down on the groovy flow of before as he speaks about his newfound ties with a woman he’s met. Meech struggles between love and lust in his verse, backed by almost heavenly adlibs.
As the hooks swing back around, Lord Felix does what he does best and vibes the track to a finish with an infectious last refrain.
No Interviews (ft. Jiles, Lord Felix, Luke Bar$, & Meech)
Jiles comes out the gate with a fury like no other, throwing heavy and gritty bars left and right to start off this hype train of a track. An alleyoop of sorts, Lord Felix catches the verse and doesn’t fumble in the slightest, changing the vibe to fit his needs, a slower more deliberate and funky delivery.
Luke Bar$ gently takes it from his fellow member, softly speaking deathly truths overtop a haunting production. Meech absolutely snatches his part, taking an absolutely braggadocious tone to his delivery, using the intoxicating production to lead him out.
VVS (ft. Luke Bar$, BoriRok, Jiles, & Lord Felix)
VVS… this is our favorite track on the album by far, and completely encompasses the grungy, truth-seeking, introspective, and deadly aura that Van Buren Records embodies.
Luke Bar$ gives an almost triumphant verse on this third-to-last track, manifesting riches for everyone on his team, admitting to probably going a bit crazy, but loving ride ever still. The hook is insatiable, keeping your ears hooked till the next verse, and BoriRock delivers like no other. His clean and concise, yet, ferally active delivery gives a forboding head-thumping energy like no other.
Jiles does exactly what he was meant to do on this beat, speak truths of his Brockton life and hope for the future, all while lyrically making your face stink up. Lord Felix’s verse encompasses the entire hype of the track, ending it off with a bang.
But it seems as if that was but only a warning shot, for the Boys from Brockton have much more in store for us.
