New York emcee/producer Bishop Nehru is self-producing his 3rd LP. Starting off by dropping a couple beat tapes before going underground from the solid debut mixtape Nehrubiahis profile would only begin to rise in 2014 signing to Mass Appeal Records and forming the duo NehruvianDOOM with the late MF DOOM and releasing an overlooked self-titled effort together that fall. Bishy would leave Mass Appeal a few years later to drop 2 full Elevators & My neglected thoughts on his own, both of which I consider some of the best shit he's ever done. He would also release 7 EPs and 5 more mixtapes, with the most recent Cult Life: From Pain to Paintings. But to start in November, Nehru's discovery Solace in the shadows.
“Seeking Solace” is a heavy sample-driven opener that speaks of Bishy Chulo searching for comfort, while “I Don't Know” soulfully promises to make it all his, despite not knowing if the vision is seen. “Been So Cold” follows the boom bap route organically flexing how long he's been in the game killing shit leading into “Defying Odds” keeping the kicks and snares in tact hitting the stages after days in the hallways.
Meanwhile, on “Vanilla Frosting”, we have Nehru sampling a woodwind taking a 135-second break from the mic so he can show off his sampling skills by flipping over a prominent woodwind before “Breaking the Rules” who is talking about trying to take it to the next level. a bagpipe and later the hard-hitting “Rap Leonardo da Vinci (So Please)” that showcases his craft. “I Don't Care” brags about taking the obscure road, but after the raucous “Good Thing I Know” he promises you won't come back if you cross it.
“Mr. Pessimist” kicks off the Solace in Shadows encore by admitting that life was crazier than a Tesla in the fast lane, while the instrumental boom bap hybrid “Look Within” tells you how to change outside. “Mind over Matters” takes it further underground explaining the only thing that really matters, while “All in the Plan” mentally reassures that this is God's plan. “The Best Me” ends by talking about giving you the best version of himself.
I loved his first entry Cult Life series of EPs & several months later, Bishop has outdone himself by releasing an album that lives up to both of his predecessors. The self-cooked production is a step up from the aforementioned EP we got from him in early 2024 and conceptually, it takes us through his experiences of finding comfort in the shadows.
Rating: 8/10
