This is the 6th full length LP from Rochester emcee Mooch. Breaking out as part of Da Cloth, it would have caught my attention since Futurewave's debut Boss Sauce and his collaboration effort with Rigz produced by Big Ghost Ltd. it is called The only way out. It's been a while since I last discussed Mooch's music since I had fun Da 5th power over 3 years ago, but he knew Rock star would be his masterpiece after learning that DJ Muggs produced it in full.
The title track kicks off with the epic drumless edge talking about being a top dog at this point in his career, while “Soul Screaming” takes the lavish approach by organically simulating his literal soul screaming akin to the 70s . “Uncut Hope” has that rawest boom bap flare to the beat that boasts that his shit lead to “Trumpets” working with more kicks and snares in the picture that require you to do the talking if you want to get out of the trenches.
“Belly” brings a more jazzy flare to the table that's like an “awesome spark” in the dark, while “Mooch Moses” returns to boom bap talking about selling the water that Jesus had turned into wine. The triumphant “It Ain't Ready” flexes that it's 31 grams of that oil and notes that it's quite heavy while “Walk Yours” featuring Rigz goes to intense turf as both members urge you to fend off any progress haters your.
Meanwhile, “My Shit's Beautiful” has those killer guitar riffs as Mooch justifiably brags about how beautiful his shit actually is, while “MAV x Mooch x Times” featuring MAV & Times Change finds the trio over more soul samples puts it in a predicament- core for literally 3 minutes straight. “Mazda” has those unusual chords that banish those false struggles with God before the peacefully drumless “Assets & Liabilities” that closes Mooch's best LP to date, dissecting the difference between the 2.
Boss Sauce has always been my favorite Mooch solo effort up to this point, but I can't deny it Rock star he's got that point because this album exceeded my expectations. Muggs' production here is more consistent than some of Mooch's recent output, the man himself lyrically is at his strongest in two years and even the offbeat features are well mixed.
Rating: 9/10
