released: october 11, 2024

genre: hip-hop

from: new york, usa

label: fat possum records

a few thoughts: in the space of a few years, new york emcee elucid has become one of my favourite rappers and writers. his abstract, idiosyncratic lyricism is often dystopian, with a menacing yet poignant delivery that fits perfectly with the harsh and heavy production he often rhymes on. i told bessie was a defining moment in his artistic career, and he just seems to get better and better with every release. he is back with his most complete album to date, revelator. i have been listening it non stop since it came out, immersing myself in the frantic, harsh and punk-esque production, as well as elucid’s disorienting lyricism and eclectic flows. it’s 15-tracks of some of the most exciting hip-hop i’ve heard this year. from the opener “the world is dog”, with elucid’s fierce lyrics over punchy drums and abrasive synth and basslines that just hit from start to finish. the eerie august fanon and elucid-produced “cctv” featuring creature is a harsh and disorienting listen, but with poignant lyrics, touching on themes of violence and war, with lines like “even rebels gotta pause when blood spill so casually”, in which he contrasts rebels’ humanity with the oppressors complete lack of conscience and morality, as can be reflected, for example in israel’s destruction of palestine with zero remorse. the jumpy and frantic child actor produced “yottabyte” is exceptional, while the off-kilter yet soulful saint abdullah-produced “bad pollen” featuring billy woods is another incredible track. “gods and their need for validation like tender humans / i squeeze my children’s hand and walk harder against the wind” is such a powerful line, while the desperation in woods’ verse makes for an almost depressing listen. the self-produced “slum of a disregard” gives reference to palestine and the horrors it faces at the moment, with a harsh and abrasive beat that is one of my favourite on the album. the alan duggan-produced “rfid” is a cacophonous yet atmospheric track, as elucid reflects “if it’s war i know just where to dig / if it’s love i know just where to lay”, a poignant oxymoronic line about the duality of love and death. the dark and unassuming samiyam-produced “instant transfer” featuring billy woods is crazy, with elucid’s moody flow, the cacophonous production throughout and both elucid and woods’ piercing lyrics. the tribal drumming of the jon nellen and elucid-produced “ikebana” is incredible too, as elucid reflects “why when i tell the truth, i be thinking who to invite / i thought everybody knew but me”. the jon nellen and elucid-produced “in the shadow of if” is probably my favourite track of the album, with its slow paced, entrancing beat, and elucid’s deeply poetic lyricism – a testament to his talents as a writer. i mean, just let it play and read the lyrics to this one – “standing in the shadow of if / my own breaking news / rushed to press / inevitable correction / black jesus hated bill collectors i do the same / lucy shit diamonds in alt timelines / zero gravity / skywriting my star sign / we family lets skip the formalities”… the way he flows and comes up with the most fascinating lines is something to marvel at, and it’s become an obsession of mine almost, to read and analyse. the andrew broder-produced “skp” is an ambient, spacious cut, with elucid’s moody and subdued energy. the raw, almost tribal energy on “hushpuppies” is infectious, while the saint abdullah & the lasso-produced “14.4” featuring skech185 is incredible too. the eerie, disorienting and drumless beat contrasts both emcees’ emphatic energies. elucid’s introspections on the child actor-produced “voice 2 skull” are fascinating –  “get up before everyone and lose my mind first / for even just an hour / i work in sound and feeling / sometimes fury / asking the whys and hows / when lies turn to vows / watered down / time wore us out / why spoil it now?”. it’s the dystopian and unassuming reflections on life around him that makes him one of my favourite emcees, with this track being exemplary of that. the lasso-produced “xolo” is one of my favourites on the album. the subtle beat switch throughout makes for a thrilling listen, as it picks up pace, with elucid’s emphatic flow and arresting lyrics catching up with the beat throughout. the dj haram-produced “zigzagzig” closes the album out with a bang. the harsh, disorienting beat makes for a hellish, frantic and uncomfortable listen, as he reflects “there’s no conscience, no authority, draw a line, connect the dot, force feed a war machine, as u were, as it seems, from river to sea, in lieu of peace, absence of truth”. it’s a depressing listen, reflecting the times we’re in, with a dark, harsh and unsettling tone and energy. elucid’s dystopian, disorienting and immersive creative world makes revelator his most poignant, hard-hitting and complete album to date.

the album: