Album Review: Applejaxxx – “Glow in the Dark”
Applejaxxx – “Glow in the Dark”
Released: 2011
Reviewed by: Neil Christian
Rated: 7 (Out of 10)
[xrr rating=7/10]
From the club ready, Trini’s This is Me EP to Mr. Coldstone’s sky-high Elevator, Fadacy Music has demonstrated that they are at the head of this CHH movement. And also that a lot of people are sleeping on this group. After the last few releases, the General now steps up for his turn, and entices us with expectation, that if his album is any indication of this EP, it will be a trend setter. Applejaxx’s last album, we wrote that Back 2 the Future was like “Picasso on wax”. Well, if that album was Picasso on wax, then this EP is Matisse back from the grave.
The first thing you notice on the project is that it is very well mixed. Just to sit back and appreciate all the different elements that are given air to breathe, yet are so cohesive, it’s a wonderful thing! The kicks are tight, snares are sharp and the synths are in their proper place. No frequency overlaps another; the highs don’t cut out the lows, in short, outstanding!
The best demonstration of this is Narrow Lane. The Dre-inspired beat with large stabbing synths and deep bass with sharp claps is the finest I have heard in CHH. The epic Go Hard, which will have you bouncing in your seat as Applejaxx and Trini exchange fire over those riding kicks. The title track has such spacious synths and minimalistic elements that will blow through your chest with its huge deep bass. But even then, that huge kick is not overpowering! This is fantastic production.
However, the issue we had with the last album still plagues this EP. We said, “Applejaxx doesn’t really do anything lyrically that impressed me or made me smile.” That is still the case on this EP. Granted, I was not looking for nas-style rhymes on this, but the rhymes are very basic and still lacking in the flow department. The shortcomings in the lyrics are especially made noticeable because the backing tracks are so substantial. He really does need to work on his craft a lot more. Applejaxx employed the overused elongated pause technique heavily on this project (flown in the air, Tony Stark), which does drag the project down after a while. It’s not original and that rhyme style has been beaten to death.
With only five songs, this is a short EP; however, it does mean that this will probably be in heavy rotation. If this is any indication of the album coming, then be prepared to be wowed, edified and encouraged. I hope Applejaxx flexes his lyrical muscles. In the meantime, make sure you are Glowing In The Dark.
Comprehensive Ratings:
1. Music – 8
2. Flow – 6
3. Creativity / Originality – 7
4. Relevancy – 6
5. Content & Character – 7
6. Credibility & Confidence – 7
7. Personality – 7
8. Presentation Quality –8
9. Overall Production Quality – 8
10. Potential Impact – 6
