Album: Untitled EP
Artist: Hodgy Beats
Label: Odd Future Records
Release Date: Feb. 24
Grade: B
The element of surprise has been a theme for hip-hop these past few months.
There's Juicy J's random, but great, appearance on The Weeknd's Echoes of Silence, the unlikely pairing of the partly-conscientious Kendrick Lamar with the relatively unknown Gunplay in 2012 standout "Cartoon & Cereal," and Young Money's apparent war against all things sane (think Nicki Minaj's Grammy performance).
It's only fitting then, that Odd Future, a hip-hop collective that revels in shock, would find its way back into the spotlight. The unannounced single, "Rella," was already enough to try to soak in, but that wasn't the biggest surprise to come from the camp.
Hodgy Beats, one of Odd Future's more recognized artists, said on Twitter that he would be releasing the Untitled EP the Friday after "Rella" was released. The announcement seemed too nonchalant to be true, but Friday came and so did the EP. The nine-song set clocks in at just under 25 minutes, but it's up there with Odd Future's better releases.
The element that immediately stands out about the release is the production credits. Hodgy Beats looked past the typical help of his group mates and recruited some upper-echelon talent for the instrumentals. They include electronic extraordinaire Flying Lotus, Juicy J, The Alchemist, and Thelonious Martin.
The producers didn't treat the release as just a meager EP. The artists bring their A-game for each of their respective tracks, with the exception of the amateur sample usage on the un-credited closer "Higashi Loves You."
Flying Lotus' spaced-out, groove makes "Lately" and "Lamented" must-hears just for beats alone. Juicy J's hazed instrumental in "Bulls***in'" gives Hodgy Beats room to flex his lyrical muscle, while The Alchemist's work "Cookie Coma" and "In A Dream" is nearly everything that'd be expected from one of the best producers in the business.
The fact that Hodgy Beats doesn't sound awkward on any of the tracks pushes this EP another step further, even though it's worth listening for the production alone. He normally plays the role of Tyler's aggressive sidekick, spouting aimed vulgarities to complement his leader's devilish verses. But on the Untitled EP, Hodgy Beats sounds alleviated in his new stream-of-consciousness flow.
Hodgy Beats hook-less lyricism and great production come together perfectly in "Ave." Thelonious Martin's Vince Guaraldi-esque instrumental work and Hodgy Beats lyricism waltzes with each other, and for a little under two minutes, the listener is on cloud nine.
The Odd Future secondary has noticeably improved for the Untitled EP, but it's apparent he still has a way to go. The flow and the production are purely aesthetic, as the lyrics provide nothing of substance. They're fun verses, but they don't offer much beyond the typical hip-hop tropes.
The lack of depth could be because this is only a side project. The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 is due March 20th. If this is just a teaser, it's frightening to think what Hodgy Beats will have in store for the upcoming release.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Mhdariby / Wikimedia Commons
