Review #5 : XXI Gold

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Review #5

Artist: XXI Gold
Album: XXI Gold
(Produced by XXI GOLD studios)
One of the things I look at very closely when listening to a new hip-hop artist is their delivery. To get this out of the way, I typically prefer rapid fire verses, intricate rhymes, and studio instruments over beats. With that said, one of the most interesting things about this debut XXI Gold record are the very unique music beds that lie underneath each vocal track.
Now if you sat me in a studio and asked me to produce a computer generated beat for a song, I would just look at you, laugh, and then probably sob. I would have zero idea where to begin. It is not at all lost on me that producing beats is just as much work as is creating one with real-life instruments. The process is an art form that can only be perfected through experience and skill, I just carry a personal preference where I find authentic instrumentation more compelling. So when experiencing XXI Gold’s first track, Therapy, my reaction was much different than expected.
Therapy opens with an shocking soundscape that lets you know this self-titled record is going to be anything but typical. Carrying on throughout the song, this eerie atmosphere is joined by a gentle but quick metronome that cues in emotional and punchy lyrics detailing what could literally be a therapy session. The song’s energy continues to build and then ultimately comes to an intense conclusion kicking off this eight track album right. Therapy is definitely my favorite track by XXI Gold so far.  
Track 2 however, does not slow down! Golden, carries over the momentum and energy of its predecessor, and delivers an intense rap that name drops The Golden Girls in its chorus.
Unfortunately, I didn’t catch any Betty White references, and I will say that was disappointing. All is forgiven however, as this song is a kickass track that should not be skipped.
    From then on, XXI Gold treats us to a lot musical and studio creativity. While some tracks, like the two mentioned above, definitely stand out as stylistic hot spots that break new molds, there a few others that I do feel as if may be lost in the fray to casual listeners. Songs like Drunk Sex, California Dreaming and SHE, all have shining moments but for me, were not as strong as the album openers.

I very much look forward to hearing what XXI Gold has in store for us in the future. His music, especially once it becomes more known and widespread, I believe could very much rival the originality of Kanye West and Childish Gambino.

This debut release received contributions from talents such as Dandy LXIX and Talar Amira Ouzonian, and was released on November 21st, 2018. You can stream or download the album on all major music services!
- Ryan Hanratty
Frosted Green Productions

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