Review Summary: The calm
With their double EP, rock/rap group Despicable continue to build upon the foundations of their catchy rhythm and flow style. On
AD, the band takes a step back from the more rock-driven style of
Meditations with more emphasis on the chemistry between drums, bass, and lyrical flow. To put it simply,
AD is a fun project. From opening with a lyrical narrative of alien abduction to concluding with the liberation of writing and its complications, the first half of the release shows Despicable diving deep into their rap motives.
Across its four tracks, the drums and bass are the primary building blocks, with the keyboard synths providing the subtle atmospheric touches. “Intergalactic” has an otherworldly feel with effect-driven bass and alien ship-like synthetic effects, while “1917” boasts a beat that is reminiscent of the west coast style that gets you moving. “Burgundy Carpet” and “Free My Mind” rely on the same structure, laying down a simple yet effective drum and bass groove that supports the freestyle-esque flow over top as the synths give a hint of melody to the tracks. Yet perhaps the most intriguing part of
AD is the lyrical passages presented through the unique flows and rhyming schemes. “Intergalactic” and “Burgundy Carpet” bring humorous attention to Despicable’s lyrical prowess by hyping up and exaggerating the impact of the songwriting. “1917” deviates by giving a war narrative from a time machine, going back to the title year and what might have been experienced. The most lyrically intensive is the closer, as it discusses the impact of always wanting to write music, but never being able to free yourself from the problems that motivate you to write to begin with.
However,
AD is only just the beginning of the release. One could even describe it as the “calm before the storm.” While the project showcases more of the rap songwriting style and lyrical abilities of the band, it only provides a part of the dynamic of what Despicable truly is.
I’m just trying to free my mind, leaving everything behind.
