Artist: New Flesh Album: Universally Dirty Label: Big Dada Rating: 4/5
Hailing from the UK and having
been around for 16 years, New Flesh’s most recent release, Universally
Dirty is a deft combination of underground rap and the compelling
textures behind other genres such as reggaeton and electronica.
Preserving their rap roots
yet straying away from the traditional in this highly original cd, New
Flesh has created a strong album that proves the indispensable power
of mingling diversity in music to create something unique.
Casting down quick rhymes like
Dizzee Rascal or Big Boi of Outkast, New Flesh slams heavy and hard
rhymes at listeners. Commanding by nature, steady throughout,
and varying in lyrical styles, New Flesh’s talent is clear in each
of the album’s tracks.
New Flesh kicks off Universally
Dirty with “Backyard.” Starting with the ringing of one
note and then starting in with a conversational tone, the track quickly
shifts into its strong reggaeton feel. This track features a deep
component on the mixing board that keeps the off-beat, New Flesh strays
away from the normal 4:4 time and constantly plays with the song’s
undertones. “Backyard” could stand up again Sean Paul’s
“Temperature, inspiring everyone on the dance floor to stomp and dip
with the beat.
Changing the tone from the
first track, New Flesh brings in the influence of more of a lounge techno
feel for “Wherever We Go.” Looping a consistent and accented
bassline driven from the influences of techno, New Flesh adds another
layer to the techno feel with rap lyrics. When the chorus begins
the background music transforms into a more symphonic feel. Resembling
a row of violins filling a room, the chorus adds a flowing element to
the staccato feel of the track. Adding to this feeling, New Flesh
changes their offset rap rhymes into more of a singing voice. “Wherever
We Go” comes together with its different influences and sounds to
create an anthem that’s successful in illustrating New Flesh’s powerful
talent.
“Howz Dat?” the album’s
third track, begins with a gritty techno feel and quick bass sound.
Reminiscent of an old Atari video game at the beginning, it isn’t
until the lyrics come in that everything starts to come together.
Harsher in nature, the rap rhymes in “Howz Dat?” are competitive
and out to prove something in the industry. The track strays away
from the commanding rhymes with the addition of a voice clip of an older
woman screeching, “Let me tell you how it’s done child.”
And like she croons, New Flesh shows the world how it’s done and commands
respect in “Howz Dat?”
“Home Movie” toys with
the age old and often used theme of making a home movie with a girl.
Funky in nature, the song brings in the voice talents of a female.
Both the male and female voice play off of each other throughout the
song, creating the feel of a casual banter. Featuring the mingling
of a broken buzzing background and droaning melody, the background textures
are met with the addition of a ting thrown into the background for accent
effect.
“Chocolate Bubbles” is
mesmerizing and perhaps the album’s feature track. Under two
minutes long, this is the kind of track that needs to stay on repeat.
Conveying the feel of a freestyle rap in the VIP room of a club, the
track is smooth and sleek. Gaining momentum as the track continues,
the lyrics start to echo and blend into one another beautifully.
“Chocolate Bubbles” is the future of clean cut and smooth rap.
“Money Makers,” the album’s
ninth track, boasts a lyrical style much like that of Sean Paul.
Lyrically paced so that the voices add to the bass beat and driving
rhythm of the song, the rhymes actually contribute in keeping time for
the track. The song’s background is experimental in nature and
constantly evolving throughout. Presenting a powerful lyrical
lineup about the power of money, New Flesh provides substance behind
their work.
Like many album’s in the
genre, Universally Dirty has added a skit to their album.
But unlike so many other artists, they’ve created what is often just
two people interacting into more of a song.
“Trouble” featuring Leigh
Stephen Kenny (also known as LSK) is the most reggae sounding track
on the album. Walking away from the genre of rap a bit, and into
LSK’s world of UK garage and reggae, the track slows down to a stroll
in order to boast the lyrical style of LSK. Well produced and
giving the feel of a walk through the jungle, “Trouble” is one of
the album’s best tracks.
Boasting a diverse lineup,
New Flesh’s 2006 release proves that their longevity in the industry
is well deserved. It’s time to stand at attention to witness
and become a part of Universally Dirty.
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