Raz Hardy and The Mich Kidd reignite the nostalgic old school presence of their collaborative power, with the brand new single from A.O.A entitled In The Nation.
Retro animated artwork introduces the clean-cut raps and conscious bars of In The Nation, as well as a few contemporary flickers of expression and intonation. Things get mildly theatrical, the two vocal styles contrasting and engaging with equal parts entertainment and conceptual intelligence. The flow varies too, holding attention well, alongside this impressively full rise-and-fall production of heavy bass, bold synths, and trap rhythms.
Emerging straight from the historical Hip Hop streets of Detroit, Authors of Ambition more than live up to the implications of their name with this release. It’s an industrial set-up, dramatic but ambient all at once, and the bars that follow proceed to weave a refreshingly poetic and powerful set of ideas that are both quirky and contemplative as the track gathers momentum.
Sharp references and clever wordplay helps create a clear momentum alongside what is easily one of the most immersive Hip Hop soundscapes to appear this side of 2024. Both Raz Hardy and The Mich Kidd put in the performance of a lifetime with the quiet passion and sharp intentions of In The Nation. With modest twists of melody to help really cement that title idea and hook in the minds of its listeners, the track is all at once imaginative and satisfying as a modern contender in Hip Hop.
This single is addictive to listen through, forever evolving and shifting gears both stylistically and performatively, and meanwhile there are multiple instances of lyrical flair that take more than a few listens to really notice and appreciate. A defiant example of music that keeps you coming back to it.
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