Review Summary: Not a New York state of mind.
Xia Zhiyu has Nas on their mind. Unlike countless rappers before and after him, this isn’t purely an act of flattery; the rising Chinese rapper wants to build what he built, to take a whole lot of
nothing--cycles of poverty, traumatic memories, insecurities, crime, tales of urban living--and construct an empire. Much of
Young Fresh Chin II is spent with Zhiyu making observations on a hometown the same way Nas detailed New York, taking into account every dark corner, all the dirty sh*t, and that lingering sense of there being no possible escape. It leaves the Chengdu artist in a constant state of reflection, finding inspiration in
Illmatic but having no clue how to make his own version--not a tribute, but a statement that could stand on its own and speak for his experiences, his thoughts, his city, and bring to life a metro that held as much beauty as it did terror.
That subtext seems somewhat alien upon accessing the MC’s latest album, East Coast influence notwithstanding. The thing is that
Young Fresh Chin II is fun--a
lot of fun, often in spite of Zhiyu’s doubts and questioning of both global and local affairs. Wavy synths and shimmering keys portray an ethereal realm populated by horn flourishes, touches of funk, graceful electronics, and a healthy amount of smooth jazz that bounces and grooves liberally, providing a comfortable atmosphere that’s easy to dive into. Horns and strings swing through effortlessly, drifting through arrangements that are able to spotlight both Zhiyu’s commendable writing and the colorful backdrop supporting him. Though characterized by its gentle nature,
Young Fresh Chin II has enough definition to its various parts that it doesn’t totally forfeit itself to
vibes; the beat variety shines, with any instrumental motifs given sufficient room to breathe. It’s a lovingly-crafted mixture of 90s sensibilities and modern methods that does wonders for the record’s retro and cinematic scope.
Such a laid-back, tranquil aura is the perfect complement to Zhiyu’s approach; it mirrors the rapper’s incessant dreaming of a simpler life and grander success, simultaneously offsetting his concerns with its pure entertainment value and inviting aura. That being said, the MC is not a mere passenger here, possessing a delivery that’s as smooth as the jazz it weaves through, yet maintains an understated intensity that demands attention. When needed, his inflection can grow softer, lost in a memory or stuck on a wandering thought. Just the same, he’s capable of a more melodic approach, sometimes providing some singing on top of those aforementioned refrains. His diverse repertoire of flow patterns further adds to his skill set alongside copious amounts of gangster rap-esque swagger and an underlying emotional vulnerability. All of this allows Zhiyu to ingratiate himself to a listener; the power and authenticity of his words pierce through any language or cultural barrier, with the rapper’s voice in of itself ample support for the record’s themes.
A bloated 19-song tracklist occasionally obstructs Zhiyu’s vision, especially since it could likely be trimmed with ease--I mean, we’ve got skits here and it’s 2023, let’s not. This still amounts to a below-60-minute duration, but the flipside is that a handful of tunes blend into each other; they lack the time to attain an identity of their own and properly develop. Outside of some choice cuts, the bass is also rather subdued in the mix, which causes more ambiance-driven forays to drift off into nothingness without heft to sell their beats. I suppose
Young Fresh Chin II isn’t quite the titan to stack up to Nas, but one thing’s for certain: Xia Zhiyu
owns this disc. From its impactful prose, genuine delivery, and plethora of dazzling soundscapes, the artists’ sophomore disc is undeniably by their own hand and an encapsulation of their thoughts, desires, and experiences. It embodies a unique journey that retains a universal appeal--something that speaks to those struggling in dark corners, dealing with all the dirty sh*t. There’s no empire yet, but Zhiyu’s doubtlessly established the building blocks.
