The Alchemist: This Thing Of Ours 2 | 4ZZZ Brisbane 102.1FM

- The Alchemist has had arguably the strongest run of 2021 featuring not only collaborative projects with Boldy James and Armand Hammer but also movie soundtracks and one-off production credits. Amid all this work, the legendary producer has also managed to drop his own solo EPs with This Thing of Ours arriving in April as well as its sequel this past week. This Thing of Ours 2 continues the series trend of highlighting rappers who frequently work with Al, as well as a few unexpected names -over soulful and grandiose production- while also slightly going outside the producer’s box.

Miracle Baby truly understands the power of no hooks with guest rapper MAVI delivering a solid two-minute verse that builds the emotional tension, in his voice, as he progresses. Alchemist’s production is airy and drum-less, only supported by wavy synths and continuous chanting. MAVI’s wordplay is descriptive, and you can truly picture every bar that comes out of his mouth. I especially love the reference to Full House’s Lori Loughlin and her 2019 college admissions scandal.

Alchemist brings New York rapper MIKE in over a slight smattering of trumpets and drums on Lossless; a collab that’s nice to see as the young artist usually raps on his own production. The track is sombre as MIKE reflects on both early life as well as his current tour schedule with an inescapable feeling of being lost in his surroundings. While MIKE’s flow follows a formula at this point, he remains technically proficient and consistently engaging.

Flying Spirit is easily my favourite moment on the EP and probably the furthest that Alchemist departs from his regular sound. The new line-up of rap collective Bruiser Brigade was an unexpected feature, but I must say the four members feel at home over the swirling guitars and vocal samples. Danny Brown does his thing like usual while new members J.U.S., Fat Ray and of course the unmistakable Bruiser Wolf -who sounds like a care-free E-40- bring a much needed level of humour to a mostly emotive EP.

I appreciate the intention behind Wildstyle and specifically I love the moody atmosphere created by Alchemist’s drum-heavy production, but over-all the track leaves me sort of feeling empty. At only ninety seconds, the ideas aren’t fully fleshed out and guest Zeeloopers can’t quite win me over with a raspy high-pitched flow that seems to be experimental for the experiment's sake alone.

6 Five Heartbeats is a great closer with intoxicating jazz production that focuses beautifully on a head-nodding bass section. While Vince Staples is yet again talking about his criminal past, his music has never really swayed into jazz which in turn makes his flow and subject matter feel all the fresher. Alchemist delivers his finest work here even if his piano is playing little more than a few bars repeatedly.

This Thing of Ours 2 is another solid project for Alchemist to add to his wall of plaques this year. Despite the inconsistency of the project, its highs deserve to be commended in alternative hip-hop. While not necessarily reaching the heights of his other 2021 works, including the predecessor, it is nice to see Alchemist challenging himself and his guests and clearly just doing it for the sake of creating music and getting the most out of his sheer talent.

- James Chadwick.