This is the debut full-length studio LP from rising Detroit Emcee Jalen Frazier. Taking off in fall 2020 on the strength of his debut EP Expressions of the neglectedwould continue to turn heads in the local underground scene last summer with the sequel God Bless My Chalice. But for his first proper album, the co-founder of Middle Finger Music as well as one of the most in-demand producers the Motor City has seen in recent Foul Mouth memory is coming for The drop.
“Run In Packs” gets things rolling with that dirty ass boom bap instrumental and Jalen talking about all he knows here in Detroit is attacking, while “Curbside Service” combines vibraphones and boom bap drums that describe street life in detail. The dumb “Soul Check” asking God to forgive him for the sin he committed just before “Prince of a Brick” featuring Bizarre ex-D12 was a dusty hardcore pick from a single detailing the wild lifestyle he they live.
Moving on from there, “Braille” has that drumless soul beat that acknowledges that moms move funny and shouldn't be messed with before “Profit $ee” with Chubs & Dango Forlaine join the trio bringing back the kicks and snares so they can collectively go into battle lyrically. The piano/boom bam hybrid 'Sworn Enemy' sounds like it's about to spill blood if you fuck with what it loves, but then the hazy yet dusty 'Effervescence' talks about being out there grinding.
“21 Grams” stupidly looks to isolate himself so he can just chop it up with his conscious, while “Choppin' Block” lavishly talks about the end, going all out. “Code of the Street” mixes a guitar with kicks and snares, while “Murder” begins its encore The drop bringing those strings, kicks and snares together rubbing it in your face that he and his crew have managed to nail everything you wanted to try here. “Even Keel” ends the album on a rap rock note saying that this pussy lost him the moment he tried to test him.
I'm just going to come out and say that Jalen's voice sounds kind of like Westside Gunn, but once you get past that, he has some dope bars and Foul Mouth helped bring the bus out of him on this album. It's a better production than Jalen has done in the past, being more introspective and socially aware than before touching on a vast array of topics, from personal struggles and triumphs to commentary on the state of the world.
Rating: 8/10
