This is the 3rd full length solo LP from Detroit emcee Valid. Properly recommended in 2015 with Reach highhe would follow that up in 2019 to get more personal in the sophomore effort Mihajlo which I would personally recommend to anyone as the best place to start for anyone looking to get into Valid's music and ultimately the Plum Brandy EP just 9 months later. He & Stretch Money formed Bill & Isiah over a year ago, releasing an acclaimed and just 5 months since his debut mixtape The movie Bronkonow we are treated Peach cognac as a main course.
This is the 3rd full length solo LP from Detroit emcee Valid. Properly recommended in 2015 with Reach highhe would follow it up in 2019 to get more personal in the Mihajlo sophomore effort, which I would personally recommend to anyone as the best place to start for someone looking to get into Valid's music and ultimately the Plum Brandy EP just 9 months later. He & Stretch Money formed Bill & Isiah over a year ago, releasing an acclaimed and only 5 months since his debut mixtape The movie Bronkonow we are treated Peach cognac as a main dish.
“Peach Killer” is a classy boom bap opener to the album that talks about letting the world control one's destiny, while “There He Is” works pianos along with more kicks and snares referring to himself as the mama who doubted the most. “1 of a Kind” has a somewhat more jazzy boom-bam quality to the beat so it can talk about the life it's living like nothing else, just before “Places” hooks a formal sample that sets out to rediscover the Renaissance city.
Bill & Isiah back it up on “9 to 5” by jumping over a vocal twist to brag about sounding like they're selling drugs when their music careers actually take off and lead into the celebratory “May 6th” talking about how it was the circle of I didn't even have to make it and join a gangsta tradition. “Never Question” goes into pop rap territory dealing with themes of romance, but then “The One Who Decides” brings some strings to the picture and some of his most captivating storytelling to date.
“Plush” featuring Boog Brown sets a more playful tone aesthetically by encouraging everyone to get high, while “Sci-Non-Fi” brings back the jazz influences by admitting that it feels like it's in a weird place making it look like with him in space. “Cigareta” featuring Jon Connor & Philmore Greene returns to boom bap reminiscing as they smoke remembering those who can't be here, while “Stara Škola” featuring BARS, Frenkie, Ghet, LD Pistolero, Random & Struka comes with a Serbian . hip hop posse cut.
Starting his encore Peach cognac, the song “Nirdala” wistfully talks about everyone chasing cash and success in the midst of the never-ending battle between good and evil, while the penultimate track “This Day” combines vibraphones along with kicks and snares trying to remain optimistic isn't in the best place mentally. “Graycious” finally ends the LP with a bit of West Coast homage from the funky instrumentals to the Zapp-inspired backing vocals that feel gentle.
In case you didn't know, everything they did Plum brandy the heartfelt EP in Valid's discography showcasing his Serbian roots with plenty of ex-Yugoslav samples hits the road Peach cognac And even a step further than his predecessor a month before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of his Serbian heritage is re-explored with greater, full capacity, allowing himself and the producers to do more with the cards which they share compared to The movie BronkoRaw homage to Bronko Lubich.
Rating: 7/10
