Don’t sleep on this latest album from Duncecap like I almost did. It was released on January 26th this year, and I remember hearing about it when it came out. However, for whatever reason I forgot to add it to my itinerary, so I didn’t end up checking it out until now. It might’ve had something to do with the album not being available on DSPs until March 1st though. Anyway, I’d definitely consider myself a fan of Duncecap. I first started listening in 2020 when he was releasing his Resting Dunce Face album. I then listened to the Human Error album with Samurai Banana when I was premiering the video for Bad Breath, and that project was also really good. I reviewed the Go Climb a Tree album with Hajino in 2022, and thought it was great, so I was looking forward to hearing what he would do next. I’m happy to report that this ended up being the best project I’ve ever heard from Duncecap.

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Since this isn’t really a full review I’ll only be writing about my favorite highlights on the record. Track 2 is called Thanksgiving, and it instantly became one of my favorite songs of the year as soon as I heard it. Dunce’s production here is really amazing to me. It sounds so good. Sonically, this song is very Ruby Yacht-esque in my opinion. The jazzy and heady instrumental along with Dunce’s flow and vocal inflections really reminded me of R.A.P. Ferreira. Honestly, every little detail in this song is masterfully crafted to me. I love everything about this track. One thing that really stands out about it to me is the pacing and song structure. I love how there’s a fifteen second break between the first and second verse. The softly sung vocals that occupy this section of the song are a really nice touch. The way the beat switches up after a minute and a half is amazing. Dunce rapped his ass off here too. His flow sounds so good.

Not a villain, but I'll embrace that train to derail
That's "chaotic good" at most, but more neutral at fail
Naked run my dark soul 'til I'm hollowed and scared
Haven't died yet, man, thanks for staying prepared
Luckier than getting to make out with your crush for a dare
I think I'll avoid the shotgun weddings in France
Too good to be true, pass go with the cash
Life's a cowboy shooting, tellin' you to dance
And a child with a lens and a mountain of ants
Murphy's Law school, I learned the rules in advance
Never again leave it up to chance

I love the way this song ends too. The way the instrumental evolves throughout the run time of this track is amazing. Again, this is one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s amazing. Same goes for track 5, which is called Two $2 Bills.

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The production on this song is fucking incredible. I absolutely adore this beat. It kinda gives me the same vibe as the music you hear when you’re near a typewriter in Resident Evil 4. Lyrically, this track begins with Duncecap dissecting his own experience at a bar and relationship with that type of environment.

I bought top shelf 'cause it was Christmas
Bartender bought my drink, so I tipped them big
It took small talk to see I didn't need another
I didn't wanna order again, but then I did
It's been a minute since I've been to visit
It's been long since I have felt warm
I was gettin' fucked up, some guy was getting chummy
I was writing this, so I responded like a dick
I drank fast, a couple gin and tonics
At a rate I could've paused the bit
In two decades I've vomited two times
My stomach's strong, I honor it
Potentially strong 'cause I'm responsible
Drinkin' water and shit
Self sabotaging sommelier
Deconstructive spectator
Nothing can re-pop your cherry, ever

The way the instrumental kind of evolves after a minute and a half is so dope. I also just love the way Dunce sounds on this song. His flow and vocal delivery sound perfect here. I might like this song even more than Thanksgiving to be honest. I love this shit. The following track is another one of my favorite songs on the album called Seems Like a Long Time. Once again, the production is incredible. I absolutely adore this beat. I think by the time I got to this track, I was really thinking about how I think more people should be hitting up Dunce for beats. There are a lot of MCs who I would love to hear over his production. I’m looking forward to the upcoming collaboration with Fatboi Sharif. That should be great. This song in particular made me think of artists like Stik Figa & Blu. Anyway, Dunce himself sounds great on this beat. My favorite part of the entire song is just when he’s singing along with the vocal sample after the first verse though. It sounds so good.

We had fun, fireworks and break-ins
Bar hops, summer dance, beach and the lake dip
Maybe I didn't fall in love, felt too good to let it go
Sorry for the both of us, everything is better though
I'm not sure, sure anymore
Nothing's set in stone, I need to be alone
Something's wrong with me, need that time to grow
Always a little bit off like a semitone

I should probably mention that an artist named Andrew Gialanella played the guitar on all the tracks I’ve written about so far, and did a really great job. The song’s superb. It’s followed by Baby, which is the shortest song on the album unless you count the interlude. The production is of course very good, and I really enjoyed hearing Duncecap rap about his experience with toxic relationships.

I've had partners disrespect me constantly
React poorly to communication, honesty
Broke boundaries or ran away
A healthy looking romance now feels frankly strange
For fuck's sake, put me in the guillotine
Pokin' at my triggers exercises my humility
Green flags calm me like it's tea time
Maybe just a prototype, and if not, you might be my… (Baby)

The song’s just over a minute long, but I actually think the brevity works to the track’s benefit. It’s dope as hell. Track 10 is called Ambitious, and it’s fire. The ShrapKnel feature is absolutely glorious on this song. I love the kind of jazzy, Electronic-sounding production on this track. The first couple of verses from Curly Castro & Dunce were great, but the final verse from PremRock is probably my favorite part of the song to be honest. Not only because he performed really well, but also just because of the way the instrumental switches up for his verse.

Google Drive request permission
I'm tryna paint before the prominence set in
My kinda tradition, don't ask, tellin' lies about my vision
After all, you can't fault the ambition

I am fairly certain that I misquoted some of those lines, but I tried my best to transcribe them accurately. Everyone involved in this track killed it. It’s fantastic. The closing track is one last highlight called Boundaries, and it has two superb features from Denmark Vessey & Googie. The Denmark verse is brimming with personality. I love it.

I know how to trigger y'all with delicious vore
Mmm, Exquisite Corpse
You see I'm just another vain asshole
At an impasse with my reflection
And all I see is a humble empath
A """polymath,""" whatever
I don't like to brag, remember?
I just- I just rapped that

The second verse is from Googie, and he did an excellent job here.

Disinfect the discothèque
Then rise through the sands like I'm Imhotep
Better hide from the glib when I'm in your section
Had to start from the top, that's some introspective
Knowledge wiz, understanding who done did those lessons?
Percentage: minimum, not to be subliminal, but…

His voice kinda sounded a little different than usual to me, but I guess it has been kind of a long time since I’ve heard him rap. The way the beat switches up for his verse is weird as fuck, but in a super cool way. The closing verse from Duncecap is excellent, and I really like the way the song ends. The main part of the instrumental reminds me of America’s Most Blunted by Madvillain. The song’s awesome.

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^{This album is dope as hell. I think these are the best instrumentals I’ve ever heard from Duncecap, and the additional beats from Quelle Chris & Lt. Headtrip were really great as well. The lyricism from Dunce rewards multiple listens, and every single feature did very well too. There’s really not a consistent gripe that I had with this album. I think this is the best Duncecap project I’ve ever heard, and it’s one of the best albums of the year in my opinion. Like I kinda mentioned in the body of this review, Duncecap’s beats here are so good that I am surprised more rappers aren’t reaching out to him for production. I guess that’s already kinda changing now though because he’s producing the next Fatboi Sharif album. I was already looking forward to it, but now after hearing this album I’m anticipating it even more. Check this record out and let me know what you think in the comment section. I think it’s really great.}

Favorite Song: Seems Like a Long Time
Least Favorite Song: Inner Voice

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Watch the video below for more thoughts on this album.