Brighton, UK, producer and host Leaf Dog, producer/host of the best British hip-hop group “Four Owls” in recent years as well as “Stone Friends 3” and “Stone Brothers”, Leaf Dog in 2024 He released his eighth full-length solo LP in 2016, continuing his crazy journey. He went solo in 2011 with From a Scarecrow’s Perspective, and his second feature six years later, Dyslexic Disciple, quickly became his most critically acclaimed work to date. I also loved early 2020’s Live from the Balrog Chamber. . However, in 2024 alone, he has released a total of 4 albums so far: “Photosynthesis”, “Don’t Scare the Crows Now”, “Outstanding in My Field” and just a few weeks ago “Anything Is Possible”. However, just like January, Leaf gave us 2 albums in 1 month, followed by When Sleeping Giants Wake.
After the intro, first track “Victory” begins with a low-pitched sample mixed with kick and snare, explaining that it’s everything his team has dreamed of, while “The Storm” featuring Busta Rhymes and BVA finds The trio came together on some Phantom of the Opera/Boom Bump shit to bring out the hardcore in it. “It’s Never Easy” is about trying to find a quick fix atop soulful instrumentals with kick and snare, leading into “Daily News,” which continues to lyrically sample soul music from a more personal place.
“Long Road Traveling” has a bit of an orchestral roar and rhythm bend, and in terms of shit like this, it’s not comparable, but then “Check Mate” continues to crash the strings with kick and snare and talk about calculating his next move The action is similar to chess. “Days of the Future Past” has a bluesy boom beat instrumental that likens it to another horror movie trying to make you laugh, until BVA returns with the late Sean Price to mix traditional hardcore with classical elements Together, we launch Fade to Black.
Beginning with the album’s second half, “War Report” lovingly paints an image of a horror story, while “Conquer Your Fear” is a piano/boom-bop crossover that talks deeply about his instincts. “The Ruler’s Back” has a triumphant air, bragging that he can still be a classic even though he’s become extremely popular, while “But For Now” goes the jazzy route and kind of touches on some real-life shit.
“Over Time” has a more colorful beat and talks about having to pay his dues to reach this point in his career, while “Card to My Chest” blends booming bap instrumentals and gutsy guitar samples that reflect They were always waiting for him to slip up. The last song before the credits, “Soil Getting Sold,” ends with “When the Sleeping Giant Wakes Up,” and a final jazz rap cut telling everyone where to find him.
I can only imagine Leaf putting out more albums in 2024, just like Flee Lord’s prolific 2020, and while that’s certainly the case, When Sleeping Giants Wake may be the 5th LP we get from him One of my favorites so far this year. His work is primarily centered around boom bap, although he incorporates additional elements of soul and jazz respectively, and you can see both sides of him as an artist and as a person who joins in via a short guest list.
Score: 8/10
