As Aotearoa lurches back into yet another lockdown period of indeterminate length, Raiden Freeman aka Jack Mells (The Scrussian) has gifted housebound listeners a kaleidoscopic new record to lose (and maybe find) themselves inside of. Snappily titled Stay Sharp and out today via Bankrupt Records / PRISON TAPES, the collage-like collection stitches together adept, emotionally affecting song-craft with an evident love for contemporary hip hop / club production — sounding refreshingly unbeholden to the past while strumming up a storm with visionary verve. Mells' rap skills hold up too, notably on the shapeshifting 'Sutures (Stay Sharp)'., including a heartfelt dedication to Reuben Winter (who co-ran Bankrupt Records with Skymning)...
Tracklist
- The First Time I Was Ever Sure That True Love Existed Was When She Wiped the Inconsolable Weeping Snot From My Face Using Only Her Finger 00:58
- Artistry Is Depravity
- Low Self Esteem Is a Symptom of Narcissism
- Object—Perception—Image—Memory
- Gut My Soul PT. 1
- Beat by Sam
- Magnificent! [Produced. By Mosese, the Band]
- Kill Your Time / Do You Understand Your Sin? [Produced by Olga]
- Honestly Just Skip This One
- Gut My Soul PT. 2
- Sutures (Stay Sharp)
- The South Island [Produced by 2SKINZ]
