This rapper-producer hybrid is hip-hop’s ultimate superpower—for the past fifteen years, Erick The Architect has transformed vision into sonic fidelity as Flatbush Zombies’ in-house beatmaker and mixologist The degree proves this. However, as the last member of the Brooklyn trio to release a solo record, he chose to take a leadership role lyrically, serving as the face of the action and featuring James Blake, T-Minus and many other studio enthusiasts team helped bring his design to fruition.
Released by Architect Recording Company, I’ve Never Been Here Before fully reveals an introverted side of the 35-year-old that fans have only glimpsed in his past work. The track listing, on the other hand, offers nearly as many cuts on the same wavelength as the material that made him and his team famous in the first place. On the surface, the comparison makes perfect sense, considering the project at hand is a 16-song double album. However, its back-and-forth arrangement is where things get a little disjointed.
The initiative is dominated by an enlightened tranquility, best characterized by articulations such as “Instinct” and “Liberation”, which show Eric’s surrender to the conquering themes of the time, such as love, gratitude, emotional maturity and the death of his late mother. memory. While maintaining this tone, the album reaches cosmic heights on “Breaking Point,” where he spits: “All these salty tears, now tears of joy” and “Once thought I hated the sound of my voice, I Glad I Said It” accompanied by warm and buttery instrumentals.
Overall, his songwriting shines on the introspective parts of the songs, which make up a meager majority of the runtime—like “Assault on My Emotions, Not Kosher or Polite” and “Pillow Talk, Peaceful dedication, putting the “limit on my price” on “Lukemia/AM” proves this point almost beyond a doubt.
The same can’t be said for more familiar Zombie tunes like “Shook Up” and “Colette,” both of which defeat the purpose of Eric’s solo career. Additionally, lyrics like “Pussy Tooomb She a Sol” on “Ambrosia” and “I just Want to touch your bum, bum” on “Neue Muse” further depart from the aforementioned themes that formed the core of the project. With this in mind, the dancehall song “Beef Patty” is arguably the most inappropriate song on the entire album, due to its distinctly different musical sequence.
It’s important to note that the examples above are not shortcomings, but inconsistencies in the grand scheme of things. Eric’s thoughtful and fun side is distinguished by sound or words, and “Mandevillain” and “Jammy Jam” are a rare crossover between the two. Despite the constant fluctuations, the music constantly resolves itself, and at no point does it feel like a burden – a possible benefit to capping things off after 50 minutes in the park.
With features on Joey Bada$$, George Clinton and more, I’ve Never Been Here is an eccentric entity that leaves a very positive impression once the ensuing silence falls, despite the demo There are some obvious differences. Even with the ever-changing pace, there’s still a calmness and solitude here that’s unforgettable.
Release date: February 23, 2024
Record tag:Architect Records
Listen to “I’ve Never Been Here” below:
