Here we have the 18th full length studio LP though sophomore effort Strange Music from Sacramento, CA veteran X-Raided. Burst on the scene in 1992 on the strength of his big debut Psycho Activeshortly thereafter he was sentenced to 31 years in prison on murder charges, to be granted parole in the fall of 2018, and continued to build his discography by releasing over a dozen albums while incarcerated. Nefarious Loc surprisingly signed Strange in 2022 and his previous offer A prayer in hell it was a true blue return to form, so A sin in Heaven I didn't expect otherwise.
“2400” is a trap opener that exposes everyone for getting here late and flexing that he got here early, while the rapid-fire “Sacrilegious” discusses not understanding the dark if you've never been in the light. “Can't Hold Us Down” has a gospel trap beat that looks for a ball in their midst to keep his people broke, but then Locksmith's “California State” is a cloudy tribute to the west coast state who raised them.
Meanwhile, on “Boy Meets World,” we have X on a much more upbeat beat talking about wanting to be a bander growing up just before the groovier “PTSD (Passing The Story Down)” talks about his story of passed on to his children. “A Favor for a Favor” featuring Nox finds the 2 coming together so they can tell a hustler's story, but after the break “Waste Management,” “A Cold Day in Hell” featuring C-Mob and Joey Cool refuses to pick his bros' hoes assuming that's how life goes.
“Olly Olly Oxen Free” featuring Bleezo, Tech N9ne & T-Nutty has those edgy tones throughout as he stomps on these muhfuckas in a real way, acknowledging that only the top MCs are fucked with them, while “The Sunken Place” in Wyshmaster's prelude officially lives in a drunken state. “Anymore” strips the drums completely by leaping over the pianos asking if it's too late to admit it's broken, and “Pray” hooks the trap vibes by speaking praying when all else fails.
Moving on from there, “Conception (Aneraé's Song)” atmospherically seems to break all the generational curses on its family tree, while the trap-based “Invigorated” featuring Ellis Prescott as well as Macntaj & Trizz talks about feeling of rejuvenation. “It's Up” featuring KXNG CROOKED & Ras Kass sees the trio come together for a 3.5 minute west coast barfest while “Juggernaut” works out refusing to ever stop now that he's home.
“Paranoia” featuring Tech N9ne combines guitar and hi-hats allowing them to showcase faster flows revolving around the theme of the paranoid, and after the “All or Nothing” break, the psychedelic rock/trap hybrid “No Conversations” says everyone to hold their breath as he whistles. “Baby Mama Music” consciously expresses his gratitude for being single while “Water” featuring Ellis Prescott, Jerome Dillard, Laza & Macntaj takes a subtle melodic approach.
Pushing further towards its end A sin in Heaventhe penultimate track “Elevating” with Don P is this gospel/trap hybrid find that both talk about constant evolution from an artistic standpoint, while MIKE SUMMERS aka Seven tops the closer “Gladiator” with C-Mob and King Iso finds all 3 gathering passionately referring to themselves as trained to fight with weapons against others.
Only the 2nd release from the Strange Music camp this year after their first Tech Collabos album in a long time COSM (Class of Strange Music) having also signed a new distribution deal with RBC Records founder Brian Shafton's new label Compound Interest Entertainment alongside Virgin Music even last summer and is a worthy successor to what has already become X's strongest work on recent memory. He's getting things done by experiencing joys in life now that he's built a life he could only have imagined just a few years ago.
Rating: 7/10