Surprise drops usually mean one of two things: either the project wasn’t ready for a real rollout, or the artists trust the music enough to let it speak without a campaign behind it. Anno 1981 is clearly the latter.
Cymarshall Law — the New Jersey MC who’s been quietly building one of the more consistent catalogs in independent Hip Hop — reconnects here with Swedish producer Frigstep, the two having first linked through The Beatnikz collective on the Freedom Express Line album. That project had range. This one is more focused. Five tracks, no detours.
The title translates from Latin as “In the Year of 1981,” the birth year of both artists. It’s not a concept record about the era — more like a shared frame of reference. A reminder of where the values came from.
Preview “Ask Somebody” off of the upcoming Anno 1981.
If “Ask Somebody” is any evidence of the upcoming release, Frigstep’s beats are dense without being cluttered. Sample-driven, deliberate, the kind of production that rewards repeated listens. Cymarshall Law sounds comfortable in a way that doesn’t mean complacent — his pen is sharp throughout, and he’s not wasting bars. DJ Tompa-T handles cuts on two tracks and earns his placement both times.
The EP is out April 10 on all platforms. Bandcamp is Pay-What-You-Want. Vinyl is available for pre-order now.
Secure your copy before release:
https://elasticstage.com/anno1981/releases/anno-1981-album
TRACKLIST
- 1981
- Ask Somebody (Cuts by DJ Tompa-T)
- Keep Hip Hop Alive
- No Rules
- You Know the Feeling (Cuts by DJ Tompa-T)
That’s really all that needs to be said. Just go listen.
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