- So.Crates, Alnitak Kid & Nelson Dialect are set to release a new collaborative album entitled Sunset Cities. Bedroom Suck has really broadened their musical palette since its genesis: Sunset Cities being a completely unexpected example of a solid hip-hop album. The collaboration itself is between Melbourne duo SO.Crates (comprising of beat-maker Skomes and Cazeaux O.S.L.O), Adelaide rapper Nelson Dialect and producer Alnitak Kid. The result is a laidback and confident record, full of musicality.
Album opener Stay A While is mostly a vocal track that sets a smooth tone for the proceedings. Lead single Oh Baby features the dulcet vocals of Jace XL (of Hiatus Kaiyote fame). A swinging beat leads into a smooth groove with nice production values. Electric keys twinkle, complemented by a great vocal arrangement. Bounce If You Open starts with spacious keys and basketball shoes squeaking before leading you into another sultry groove, tricked out with the requisite sports analogies. Burning Slow is a personal highlight – a contemplative downtempo track based around a languid flute sample. Not just because it is named after one of my favourite MCs, the song Jay Elec is another favourite. It has some solid synth work and that energetic electro bounce. Somebody Believes In You is a great, affirmative track that evokes some of Roy Ayers sunshine-centric works.
Some people write-off any and all Oz hip-hop. They’re fools to do so. If it's the broad Strayn twang you're struggling with, then you're off the hook here: Sunset Cities eschews many familiar tropes, concerning itself instead with “one’s own presence, spiritual essence, belief, love, and mindfulness…”It manages to do this while feeling unforced, capturing contemplative moods and moments. Wherever you're from, that sounds just right.
- Hillfolk.