Hey there folks! On this episode of Isolation Station we take you through some of the albums that have been in our rotation for the last couple of months. Between COVID-19, the election and the general chaos that has taken the world by storm this year, you might have missed some of the best projects that came out during this pandemic; but fear not! We’ve got you covered!
Yaya Bey – Madison Tapes
Starting us off at the top of the list is singer/songwriter Yaya Bey and her project “Madison Tapes”. Yaya Bey is an artist based out of Brooklyn, NYC and since the start of her career in 2016 Yaya has been making major moves for a while now. Yaya has a very specific acid jazz/lo-fi feel and across her entire discography you can tell she has a great love and appreciation for music. In addition she chooses to address subject matters in her songs which tend to be very personal and politically charged. This love and focus stays consistent with the release of Madison Tapes. A total of 19 tracks in total and split into 2 parts, this project is a definite low-tempo, chill vibe.
UnoTheActivist – 8
If there’s someone who knows how to keep his audience wanting more, that would be rapper UnoTheActivist. Dropping his last project in 2019, UnoTheActivist’s “8” is an amazing project from beginning to end. Throughout this album, Uno hones his craft and perfects his style while using his many influences to create a body of work that his fans won’t forget. Addressing issues to do with the music industry and its tyrannical approach to owning their artists while flexing all of the bands he’s made from the “mumble rap shit”, this record is a definite party bop; while it might not be the best idea to host a 500+ person gathering (looking at you, Red Deer) this would go over well with a fun environment and a small get-together.
Bladee – 333
Bladee (Benjamin Reichwald) is a Swedish rapper that works with Yung Lean, Ecco2k and Thaiboi Digital; forming Drain Gang in 2013. This record is a work of experimental rap/alt pop and escape room genius. Every single on here slaps; while this genre and sound might take a little bit of getting used to, once it clicks it becomes a daily anthem (I have the whole album on my daily playlist.) This is Bladee’s most approachable project. The melodies are simple and the flourishes don’t go all over the place like his last album: Exeter (we don’t talk about that one). While some songs go harder than others; this is a record to have as background music. A very mesmerizing, hypnotic rap record to say the least.
Boldy James & The Alchemist – The Price Of Tea In China (Deluxe Edition)
The Alchemist is back and much more powerful than before; the GRISELDA type production has yet to become “boring” and “overdone” as he recruits Boldy James: a very powerful name in the boombap/NYC style delivery on this 10/10 project. Featuring incredibly prolific names like Freddie Gibbs, Benny The Butcher and Vince Staples; this is an album you cannot miss out on. From the swooping, desolate instrumentals to the hardcore boombap beats.
Scrim – A Man Rose From The Dead
Scrim (Scott Anthony Arceneaux Jr.) is the second half of the iconic duo: $uicideBoy$. Still in the same vein of horror-core/sad rap, Scrim’s delivery on his debut album is a force to be reckoned with. On this project, Scrim dives deep into his insecurities and lack of faith in a benevolent force that protects humanity from evil.
The production is out of this world, the lyricism is descriptive and the drive to create something that stands out of the usual sound we’re all used to is acknowledged and; while abrasive and brash for some, is as smooth as butter for others. This is a 20 song debut album with no features, all bars.
I hope this little collection of music can inspire you all to take life in moments and not worry about the next few months. This pandemic doesn’t seem to have any prospects of letting up or getting better any time soon; so why not drown all of the noise and confusion with a heavy duty dosage of bops, bangers and booming tunes?
If you enjoyed the interview and want to stay up to date with him you can find his Soundcloud above. You can also follow him on Instagram and Twitter!