Track List:
01 - Electro Livin'
02 - Freedom Lasso
03 - Love In My Eyes
04 - Comedy Tragedy History
05 - You Put A Spell On Me
06 - Where I'm From
07 - Defeated
08 - Bit By Bit
09 - Something Inside My Head
10 - I Don't Know
MOBO award winning UK urban artist Akala is back with his sophomore album "Freedom Lasso," released through his own Illa State Records. The follow-up the critically acclaimed "It's Not A Rumour," the album aims to prove this conscious/grime/hip-hop artist can tackle the difficult second album and maintain his status as one of the top emerging lyricists in the UK Hip-Hop scene.
It is difficult to classify Akala as he touches on so many genres that he doesn't fit snuggly in any one in particular. Aside from the obvious Hip-Hop conscious lyrical elements, there are aspects of grime, rock, electro and even heavy metal right from the start. The album opens with the electro beat of "Electro Livin'," a track about how the west cannot live without electronic technology and the irony that while it improves the lives of many human nature continues decay, just check out the lyrics:
"These wags with their fags and their Christian Dior bags
Shagged and they brag and pose for lad's mags
It's sad, we are sad for things we cannot have,
But we are not sad for Baghdad."
This theme continues throughout the album as Akala tackles many prevalent issues facing Britain, such as gun crime, gang culture and the americanisation of life on the streets ("Where I'm From") and celebrity culture ("Freedom Lasso"). Akala also treads new ground with the emotional efforts like "You Put A Spell On Me" and "Love In My Eyes," something not seen much in his previous music.
The production is fairly varied, as mentioned earlier, thanks to longtime production partner Rez Safinia there is an eclectic mix of genres, although there is a tendency to over use the electro sound from time to time, i.e. "Love In My Eyes." The samples from The Cure, Siouxsie & The Banshees and Baxter Baxter make the album stand out from most urban albums that consist of soul samples and big bass.
If there is any real fault with the album it has to be its short length, just 10 tracks and a 36 minute total play time mean the album doesn’t feel like much more than a sampler. Then there is also the tendency for Akala to rap so fast you can barely understand what he says, although after a few listens to each track you will surely get the message. A prime example being "Comedy Tragedy History," while it is arguably one of the best tracks on the album and the lyrics are clever and witty, I guarantee you will not understand every word on your first listen.
It is refreshing to see a modern album and a new artist willing to break from the thug formula and stereotypical rap content to take the genre back it its roots of positive conscious messages and pure lyricism. While he could do with more feel good party tracks, "Freedom Lasso" is a welcome break from the repetitive and uninspiring music diluting the genre. Tracks like "Comedy Tragedy History" prove Akala's worth as a lyricist, he just needs to have less reliance on electro beats and he will no doubt have a classic Hip-Hop album on his hands in the near future. He didn't disappoint with his last album and "Freedom Lasso" is no different, although it is too short (much like "It's Not A Rumour). Well worth the money.
Hot Tracks: "Electro Livin'," "Comedy Tradegy History," "You Put A Spell On Me," "Where I'm From"
Artist: Akala