Brooklyn rapper/singer Melo-X just dropped his ambient Free EP GOD: LoFi on Live Mixtapes today. This is definitely an interesting project, think Flying Lotus meets The Weeknd and with metaphoric rapping mixed with singing. I hear a possible Kendrick Lamar influence as well, but it isn’t noticeably unoriginal like a lot of music inspired by the Compton artist. Unbeknownst to me, Melo-X has been a part of the New York indie scene, he even put out a song with Kendrick Lamar back in 2010. His maturity in music shows in the EP, which sounds polished and has re-occurring themes of family, love and responsibility that show through even in Melo’s cover of female inde-pop artist Laurel Halo’s song “Light + Space”. His vocal’s echo perfectly over the smooth, Jazz and R&B influenced and Drum & Bass influenced beats. Some of the lyrics became a little boring after multiple listens, but the songs were satisfying overall and Melo’s singing really kept the project enjoyable. Although I enjoyed all 5 tracks on this project, the standout seems to be “Handle It”, produced by frequent Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monche collaborate M-Phazes. Melo-X’s GOD: LoFi is definitely one of the more original projects I’ve heard this year, its worth a listen. 7.5/10
Stream and download below
