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Ten years ago, music was graced with the sophomore effort from the multifariously skilled, West coast bred hip-hop collective known as Hieroglyphics. While Full Circle wasn’t as revered by critics as the preceding debut 3rd Eye Vision was, it undoubtedly boasted a funky, original sound that further solidified the Souls of Mischief/Hieroglyphics strong position in the world of hip-hop.

With the drop of their first album since ’03, Hieroglyphics have irrevocably implanted their signature sound and brandished their funky fresh vibes in full on The Kitchen. Possibly the face of fundamental West coast alternative hip-hop, Hiero stays tried and true to the home-repping rhymes and distinctively unconventional production (especially pertaining to classic West coast styled instrumentals) that made them so popular to begin with. Now more than ever, that style that they have perfected shines through every single track.

As on albums past, each emcee takes turns spitting bars on the beat given, equipping themselves with witty rhymes, quirky gasconade (in the best way) and microphone mastery. While a great deal of the rhymes on this album find the emcees pretty much asserting themselves as worthy emcees, one cannot deny the repeat factor these songs have. The sheer earworm quality of the flows on “Highway Five” demonstrate my aforementioned remark.

As far as the beats are concerned, they are certainly different. When one thinks West coast hip hop, in modern times, names like Game, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar and the rest of Black Hippy come to mind. Yet, after hearing The Kitchen, anybody can attest to the originality these instrumentals possess in reference to their supposed West coast familiarity. The many producers on this album, although Opio handles the majority of the production, craft some lush instrumentals that range from boldacious, jazz-inspired beats (“Livin’ It Up”) to funky and wordly, grunge-like beats (“Indonesia”).

The Kitchen heralds the return of a great sound, a classic vibe and the artists within Hiero, respectively. After ten years, one might expect a stellar, show-stealing album, yet Hieroglpyhics’ comeback album is very far from that. While it is sonically pleasing overall, the rhymes are partially lackluster in their effort to incite thought and provocation among listeners. Nevertheless, the LP finds the classic group dusty off their pads, mics and what have you in order to deliver something everyone can appreciate: good ol’ fashioned hip hop music.

7/10

Tracklisting:
1) The Kitchen Intro
2) Livin’ It Up
3) The Mayor
4) Golden
5) Gun Fever
6) Indonesia
7) Shores Galore
8) That Merch
9) Nutrition
10) Indonesia Interlude (Sleeprockers Edit)
11) Highway Five
12) All as Above So Below
13) Nano Salt
14) Immortals
15) Exciting
16) It’s Partly Me
17) Passing Fads

***Notable Mentions:
Murs: Yumiko: Curse Of The Merch Girl
¡MAYDAY!: Believers

Tags : CasualDel tha Funkee HomosapienHieroglyphics
Stone

The author Stone

Stone is a hip-hop enthusiast residing in NJ/PA. As an aspiring hip-hop producer, Stone studies communications and shares his passion for music by letting the world in on the wonderful world of hip-hop.