Connecticut underground MC/producer Apathy releases his follow-up Connecticut Casual as his 9th full length solo LP. Emerging just over 2 decades ago as a member of the Demigodz & Army of the Pharaohs collectives founded by Open Mic & Vinnie Paz respectively, he was also signed to Atlantic Records at one point, although he eventually left due to creative differences. Since then, The Alien Tongue has built his own solo discography, with my favorites being Honky Kong! as The widow's son or more recently Where the river meets the sea. & King of the Gods. No second full production by Stu Bangas. Almost a year and a half later, it only makes sense to commemorate its upcoming 10-year anniversary Connecticut Casual recruiting Playa Haze for the full production Connecticut Casual 2.
“Connecticut Formal” is a jazzy album opener that represents his hometown, while “Hammond Court Kids” shifts gears in a booming boom-bam direction talking about how they can only be 1 king and never forget who's wearing the crown. “No One Can Hear You Scream in Space” works with more kicks and snares over a soul sample to discuss a love that was definitely related to the moon landing, but then “Vacation” keeps it banging with a relaxing vocal twist talking about being inside his head staring into space.
Meanwhile, “Jackie O” mixes those kicks and snares with a laid-back loop admitting to dreaming of JFK's late widow, just before “Fenwick” featuring Kappa Gamma brings the jazz influences back to the beat paying tribute to the title track city. “Never Change” featuring Little Vic jumps over a woodwind boom bam bat, encouraging everyone out there not to change just before the warm but dusty “Around the Planet” lets his mic cruise the globe .
“Eazy $” goes drumless kicking off the final leg of the LP by cashing in, while Celph Titled's “Todd McFarlane” likens them to the Canadian comic creator over a dusty instrumental. The penultimate track “Kingdom of the Coroner” keeps it raw to rightfully declare itself the king of Connecticut at this point and finally, “Tick Tock Tick” sends Connecticut Casual 2 chasing dusty time to make another classic.
Connecticut Casual was a terrific display of hometown pride nearly a decade ago, but the follow-up here essentially changed the outlook for Apathy's entire career moving forward and while Where the river meets the sea it was clearly important for him to get out there, even though he still didn't enjoy the sound of what he wanted to do, Playa Haze's production achieves that goal. It is inspired by a sound that was from Midnight Marauders, '93 to infinity & The Main Ingredient The season, though, is still on its own, so Ap can deliver the soundtrack to where he and his crew hail from: The New England coastline.
Rating: 8/10
