In Search Of Media

Released: March 13, 2024

Genre: Experimental hip-hop

From: US

Label: Tygr Rawwk Records

Why you should listen: Beans, previously of Antipop Consortium has teamed up with Finnish electronic producer Sasu Ripatti aka Vladislav Delay for a striking, futuristic new album titled ZWAARD. With disorienting and dynamic production throughout, the album is an almost overwhelming listening experience, as Beans flows between intricate, dystopian and abstract lyricism and spoken-word pieces that capture Beans’ talents as a storyteller and poet. From the glitchy and disorienting energy of “ZWAARD 1”, where Beans proclaims that he writes better than rappers half his age, which ain’t wrong for the most part! He’s still going strong in his fifties, writing revealing and intimate lyrics about his state of mind, dealing with his own vices and how he processes the shit he sees on the news and around him. The glitchy heaviness of “ZWAARD 5” showcase Sasu Ripatti’s talents as a producer, creating immersive electronic compositions that sound disorienting, fitting in perfectly with Beans’ unorthodox style. “ZWAARD_OVER” features Antipop Consortium and is another highlight on the album for me, as each member brings their personalities on a thick, synth-heavy beat, with percussion that jumps and scatters throughout the track. The slow-paced reflective “ZWAARD 23” is incredible and sounds like Sasu sampled that iconic atmospheric hold music you hear, waiting for reception to put you through. Beans raps effortlessly over a light, immersive beat, while “ZWAARD 14” closes the album with a heavy, harsh synth-led beat and Beans rapping once more emphatically throughout. ZWAARD is Beans at his best. Unpredictable, disorienting and incredibly dense lyrically, the project jumps between one electronic and glitchy composition to the next, capturing the eclecticism of both artists poignantly.

The album: