released: june 7, 2024

genre: hip-hop

from: new york, usa

label: backwoodz studioz

a few thoughts: in the space of a few years, shrapknel have become one of the most interesting and experimental hip-hop duo around. already seasoned mc’s with solo discographies that are on par with some of the best hip-hop to come out in recent years, curly castro and premrock have continuously built their reputations as sharp and dexterous rappers that combine rap, sports and pop-culture references with dark and ominous lyricism about the harsh and depressing realitiies of the world around them. since their 2020 self-titled debut, they have matured and refined their sound, providing listeners with continuously challenging art. they are back with their most complete project to date, nobody planning to leave, produced entirely by legendary producer controller 7. with its 14 tracks and 45 minute runtime, it’s a dense listen, packed with excellent writing and varied production, ranging from gutteral and experimental to more soulful and melodic. “metallo” sets the tone for the album, with both emcees reintroducing themselves poignantly by setting the tone with imagery of urban and social decay, as well as a braggadocio-type energy to remind us why they’re one of the best rappers at the moment. the dark, unassuming but subtle beat is the perfect soundscape for this introduction. the choral, vocal sample on “dadaism 3” contrasts the heavy drumming and disorienting verses from, including feature open mike eagle, who’s animated flow complements the playfulness of this track poignantly. on the jazzy “bogdan interlude”, curly castro flexes his skills on the mic with intricate lyricism that perfectly captures castro’s emphatic energy. the disorienting “live element” is an early highlight, with a menacing flow from castro and a more subdued premrock floating over this soulful beat. “steel pan labyrinth”, with its abrasive, urgent beat (with various switches throughout) and incredible guess verses from onry ozzborne and lungs, two incredible emcees, makes it one of the most striking and disorienting tracks on the album. “human form” is premrock’s, with a vast verse talking from the spineless and evil members of congress letting people’s lives go to shit, evading their responsibilities as representatives of people, masking themselves as human and taking that form to fool people into thinking that they care. all of this on a jazzy beat with heavy drums that hit hard throughout. it’s one of my favourites on the album. “nutkraker blues”, featuring legends breeze brewin and d-styles has a reflective tone, with melancholic energy to it. the parallels with de la soul and also company flow, both in terms of the darker, cynical lyricism and colourful production explored on this album is also translated to “deep space millie pulled a pistol” (see “millie pulled a pistol on santa” off de la soul is dead and “deep space 9mm” by el-p) an urgent and abrasive track about gun violence. the unsettling, desolate energy of “kaishakunin” is another highlight on the album, while “8-finga piano” featuring d-styles is another chilling moment on the album, with hellish production, with rap and jazz references sprinkled throughout on a track that is beautifully haunting. “uru metal” featuring elucid is another jumpy, weird and wonderful track with disorienting, abstract lyricism. on the smooth and soulful “sadatay”, curly castro’s intricate raps make for a reflective and poetic listen. “illusions of p” has a menacing beat and incredible anti-police lyricism throughout that makes this a striking listen. “worry dolls” has a swirling beat, with castro and premrock’s usually cynical lyricism about the depressing realities of life around them. worry dolls are small, handmade dolls that indigenous mayan people from guatemala used to soothe anxieties and fears. it’s a reminder of the importance of the sense of mental escape from suffocating situations. it’s a fitting way to close this otherwise cynical, abrasive and disorienting album. with nobody planning to leave, curly castro and premrock create another heavy, immersive masterpiece, vast in its soundscapes and incredibly dense with its lyrics.

the album: