Review by Adam Jones - MUSIC FARMER 5
From Joke to Jaw-Dropping Masterpiece: "redd is dead" is Not Dead, But Just Getting Started
In the jigsaw puzzle that is the current music landscape, where all styles and genres coalesce into a frenetic cross-pollination, a standout piece has emerged that demands your attention. The artist, known cryptically as redd is dead, has poured forth a new rap album-"REHA$h"-that unapologetically tears down the walls of convention, fusing together hip-hop and jazz, with side trips into melancholic ballads and punk rock.
A transformative record by an artist whose previous work fell within the folk genre, "REHA$h" isn't just a title, it's a bold proclamation. Informed by redd is dead's influences ranging from the experimental rap of Injury Reserve and the eclectic BROCKHAMPTON to the gritty realism of Freddie Gibbs and the lyrical prowess of JID, along with the introspective lament of Mac Miller, the album delves deep into the artist's evolution and experiences.
"EARTH 2 ME" is an opulent ballad that weaves intricate layers of vocal harmonies and soaring melodies to create an intoxicating musical tapestry. redd is dead's articulate rapping pulses over a delicate underbelly of jazz-inspired instrumentation, echoing a Beastie Boys meets Jamie Foxx aesthetic.
Then there's "WONDERFULLLL," an audacious coupling of aggressive upbeat rap with a sample from Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical SOUTH PACIFIC. In a brilliant stroke of creative genius, redd is dead repurposes "A Wonderful Guy" into a high-octane, rap-infused masterpiece, proving that the juxtaposition of vintage Broadway and cutting-edge hip-hop can lead to extraordinary musical innovation.
In keeping with its title, "REHA$h" isn't afraid to experiment. The album's sonic trajectory swerves and changes with reckless abandon, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. By the time the haunting "KILL THA LIGHTS" resonates through your speakers, with its chilling, video game-esque soundscape, you'll feel as though you've been on a roller-coaster ride through redd is dead's musical psyche.
The artist, known cryptically as redd is dead, has poured forth a new rap album-"REHA$h"-that unapologetically tears down the walls of genre convention, fusing together hip-hop and jazz, with side trips into melancholic ballads and punk rock.
The themes of drug use, rejection, validation, and regret are threaded through the album's lyrical storylines, providing a poignant narrative to the musical journey. While there's a sense of exorcising personal demons, there's also an undeniable sense of catharsis and evolution, a rebirth through music that's as powerful as it is compelling.
redd is dead has come a long way from its origins as a joke, emerging as an artist who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. "REHA$h" is the audacious declaration of an artist who has not only found his voice, but isn't afraid to use it to push the boundaries of what's expected in contemporary music.
"REHA$h" is more than an album; it's a personal and artistic manifesto. It's a testament to how far redd is dead has come, and a tantalizing preview of where this innovator might be heading next.
Listen to "REHA$h" by redd is dead below!👇
Youtube: https://youtu.be/AegzOKbFD5I