This album was released on March 15th this year. I’ve only written about Kembe X one time on this blog, and that was all the way back in 2016 when my reviews were still trash, but he’s become one of the most exciting artists on my radar. I was in love with his album from 2019, and not reviewing that project was probably my biggest regret of that year. The leap in quality from 2016 to 2019 was frankly astonishing to me. He was already a very good artist, but 2019 is when I started scrambling to hear everything he puts out. My answer might change some day, but for now Voices is still the most relatable song I’ve ever heard in my life. Because of all this, I was really excited to try this latest album out. He’s done a lot of work with Hippie Sabotage in the past, but unless I’m mistaken this is the first time they’ve done a full project together. Hippie Sabotage produced the title track to Talk Back, which is still one of my favorite songs from Kembe X. I knew I was gonna fuck with this album, and it gave me pretty much exactly what I wanted.

---

The album begins with a song called Fade the Sun, and it’s the shortest track on the project.

---

This is the only song on the album that I don’t really see myself returning to personally. I just find the minimalistic production a little boring. It kinda sounds like something that could’ve been on that Cruel Summer album by GOOD Music. I kinda like what Kembe did over it, although I probably would’ve appreciated it more if he didn’t use that fuzzy vocal filter. The last 45 seconds are the most interesting part of the track sonically. The beat gets a lot more intricate at that point, but it’s a little too late to make the song worth returning to for me. I don’t really think anything about this song is particularly bad, but it also doesn’t stand out much to me. It’s not something that I would ever have the desire to listen to again, but it’s also not something I’d be in a rush to turn off if it happened to start playing. I think it’s a solid track. The album thankfully picks up quickly with the following song, Pole Vaulting.

---

The beat on this one is actually excellent. I kinda wish I recorded my reaction the first time I heard it. When the bass comes in this shit is hard as fuck. The first verse on this track is really nice too. His flow is catchy as fuck. I think that’s one of the areas in which he’s improved the most over the years. His flow was never bad, but it didn’t stand out to me much the first time I heard his music. However, these days it’s hard to find a verse from him that doesn’t give me the coveted involuntary head nod.

Fuck all that calm shit, I'ma go batshit
Shout out my ex chick, she got the packs sent
I'm having my fun, I'm just relaxing
Chew on some shrooms, go intergalactic
Smokin' this dope, I don't care where I ash it
I'm with my gang, and I'm smilin' and laughin'
Hatin' a sickness, I'm never gon' catch it
In this bitch doin' gymnastics

The second verse is even better in my opinion. I really liked that line about smoking loud weed silently. The one aspect of this song that I’m not crazy about is the hook. I mean, I think the hook itself is pretty good. It just lasts way too long, and as a result starts to feel tedious by the time the song is over. It’s definitely not egregious enough to ruin the song for me though. I still think it’s a very dope track. The music video is pretty cool too. The following song, King, is even better in my opinion. Once again, the production here is really great, especially when the guitars come in. I love the way it evolves throughout the runtime of the track. The hook is super simplistic, but it’s very catchy and easy to rap along to. Kembe’s flow on both of the verses are stellar. None of the lyrics really stood out to me much, but they weren’t bad at all. The main appeal of this song is just the way they’re delivered for me, along with the production. This shit is just really great sonically. It’s a dope track. The first real highlight for me is called Love Songs. It’s funny because this isn’t even a rap song. He’s singing throughout this track, and it actually sounds fantastic. He’s not gonna blow people away with his vocals, but they’re nowhere near being bad. The melody itself is super enjoyable to me. The synth-pop adjacent production really helps to elevate things too. On my second or third listen, I kinda realized that this sounds like Kembe X making a Weeknd song. His voice doesn’t sound anything like The Weeknd, but I could totally see Abel singing that melody over this instrumental. There were actually some moving lyrics in this one too.

Who knows all your dreams?
Who smiles at the thought of your smile?
Lady of my dreams
I can't love you
I don't know how

It’s funny because I remember saying that I didn’t care for love songs when I first started this blog. However, now that I actually have experienced being in love before, I really like them. This one’s dope as hell. The following track is another highlight called Shallow, which was released as a single.

---

This is definitely my favorite track up to this point on the record. Kembe’s vocal delivery throughout this track is top notch. His flow is really nice too. He just sounds so good when he’s rapping here. The melody of the hook is very catchy, and I really like this line…

Dig my grave just like me: shallow

The lyricism is very relatable as well, despite not being super intricate.

I'm barely getting by, but I think I'ma spend the whole thing
I miss being young and believing in shit
I remember all in my room I would fall to my knees, I was talking to Jesus and shit
And I know someone be listening, but nowadays I can't do preachers and deacons and shit
I swear to God since a toddler I been having dreams of me wrestling demons and shit
So I'm sure you understand why I'm high than a bitch 'cause I can't just be thinking and shit

There are a lot of references to being one negative interaction away from snapping throughout this song that I really appreciate. The closing line in particular is what made me notice that theme. Anyway, this track is dope as hell, and definitely one of my favorites on the album. I love it. The following song is called Where Demons Come to Die. Lyrically, this might be the best song on the album—particularly the second verse.

My body still a temple even when it's kush in my lungs and liquor in my veins
Even MDMA, I heard it eat the brain
They say life a coin toss, I had to be the change
I'm overflowin' with sauce, and you can see the stains

I just really love the sentiment expressed in this track. It exudes confidence, self love, perseverance, and peace of mind. It’s also the chillest track sonically, which I think matches the tone of the lyricism really well. This isn’t the most exciting track musically, but it definitely resonated with me a lot. I think it’s really dope. Track 7 is called Kill Everything in the Way, and it’s a major highlight for me. This is probably my favorite beat on the whole album. I think this instrumental is amazing. It sounds really warm and comforting. It’s like good news and relief in the form of music. Kembe’s flow on the first verse is fantastic too. I feel like when people refer to rappers “floating” or “sliding,” this is the kinda shit they’re talking about.

To kick 'em right now or to step on 'em later? Man, I got decisions to make
Direct deposit made me raise my eyebrows, man, I made a killing today
Getting too lit with how much I been sippin', man, throw the whole kidney away
Throw the whole liver away, body forgive me today
Rose from the mud, give me my bouquet
Flow for the love, I'm Bobby Boucher
So many doubted and counted me out, so I don't give a fuck about nothing you say
Niggas is bitter and sour, I promise ain't no grapefruit juice inside my Tanqueray

Once again, I was really pleased with the general sentiment of this track. This one’s definitely going in my happy playlist. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year, and one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard by Kembe X. It’s dope as fuck. The following track is another single called Rolling Stoned, which is a fire title.

This song really grew on me. I liked it the first time I heard it, but I like it even more now. The sung hook is very catchy, and I really like Kembe’s melodic delivery on the first verse. There were a lot of lines that stood out to me too. The one about his girl boosting his self esteem by leaving a puddle on his bedsheets was kind of disgusting, but it was relatable, so I’ll allow it. I also really dug the Velvet Underground reference.

Introduce the Earth to Kama Sutra , what's the consequence
Fuck you, it's the future, smokin' putrid, boost my common sense
Psychedelic bands if you ask me what I'm rockin' with
Velvet Underground, banana clips to stuff my choppers with

I also really love the closing couplet in his verse. That’s probably my favorite part of the whole song to be honest.

Used to hear the voices sayin' I wasn't gon' be nothin'
Now it's clear I'm upper tier, somebody peelin' onions

I interpreted the “voices” he mentioned as auditory hallucinations, but I also realize that he could just be talking about haters in general. I prefer my interpretation though because it’s more relatable. The second verse is performed by Isaiah Rashad. I’m not exactly sure why he’s uncredited on the album version of this song. This is the second album in a row from Kembe X where the features haven’t been listed. Maybe “uncredited” isn’t the most accurate term to use since he’s credited as a writer. Anyway, his verse didn’t really stand out much to me when the song was released as a single, but the more I listened to the song the more I came to appreciate his performance. I think his vocals sound really great here. He has a really good singing voice. Honestly, I think I’d like to hear a non-Hip Hop album from him some day because Rope is one of my favorite songs he’s ever done. He’s also great on Black Blood by King Los. This song is really dope. The penultimate track is called Start a Business, and it’s another one of my favorites. The instrumental makes me think of Red Dead Redemption. I love it. The subject matter of this song isn’t particularly appealing to me as someone who’s against capitalism, but it’s not the kinda message that could ever have me questioning Kembe’s character. I think his execution here is really great. His flow and vocal delivery sound amazing over this beat. The hook itself isn’t particularly extraordinary on its own, but the way it’s repeated over the ever-evolving instrumental makes it stick in my head. The song’s dope as hell. The closing track, Baby I’m Up, is perhaps my favorite song on the album. It’s also easily the longest track on the record at seven and a half minutes. The instrumental is amazing, and I love the celebratory atmosphere and tone of the production and writing. It’s not a coincidence that my two favorite songs on the album are the ones that express joy in the most direct manner. I think happiness isn’t portrayed well in Hip Hop enough, so I have a soft spot for songs like this. The hook is super simplistic, but it works incredibly well in my opinion. A lot of lines in the first verse really resonated with me.

Might be depressed, but it's never no crutch
Might be depressed, but it's never no crutch
Even on a bad day, never do it halfway
Burn my problems and put 'em in an ashtray

I can tell that this song probably goes crazy at live shows. The hook is super easy to chant along with. I really liked that line in the second verse about how he can go days without sleep and never stop dreaming. I also really love the lyrics in the bridge.

Dancin' on the edge, I'm closest
Paranoid delusions, psychosis
On or off the meds I'm focused
Hopped up out the bed, I'm up

The way the instrumental transforms throughout the runtime of this track is really awesome too. I feel like this is probably the most impressive song from a compositional standpoint. I can see how its length might hinder the replay value for some listeners, but this is definitely going in multiple playlists for me even if it works better in the context of the full album. I think it’s one of the best songs Kembe’s ever made, and it’s easily one of the best tracks I’ve heard this year. It’s dope as fuck.

---

^{This album is dope as hell. It’s definitely one of the best albums I’ve heard in 2024. This album exhibits everything I love Kembe X for. The hooks are super catchy, the flows and vocal deliveries are incredibly fun, and the themes of coping and perseverance really cut deep for me. I haven’t decided whether or not I like this more than his previous album; I have to go back to that one again and see how it compares. I feel like this one is definitely more focused though, and I kinda like how there are almost no features. I’m hoping we don’t have to wait another five years for the next project, although I’m sure he’ll keep us fed with singles either way. I won’t be surprised if this one grows on me even more with repeated listens. This album just further solidified Kembe X as one of the most exciting artists coming out of Chicago right now for me. Actually, he’s one of the most exciting artists for me period. Also, I really loved what Hippie Sabotage was able to cook up for him here. I wouldn’t mind if Kembe X never worked with anyone else ever again. That’s how well I think this collaboration works. I’m not saying I’d be against him working with other producers. I just don’t think it’s a necessity. Anyway, check this album out and let me know what you think in the comment section below. Also, be sure to check out Kembe X’s other albums, especially his 2019 release.}

Favorite Song: Baby I’m Up
Least Favorite Song: Fade the Sun

86