Massive vibes from the get-go – the live crowd exhilaration and the euphoric piano chords, the high energy, the calmer low-key vocal confidence…
SC4REAL starts up his new album with a magnetic opening track, and builds further on the excitement and conscious reflection of Phases Groove throughout what could quite possibly be his most truthful and inspiring project yet.
Promising the old-school cinematic sound-bites and structure from hip hop’s legendary past, PHASES meanders through a variety of creative beats, with Locked In quickly injecting a kind of alternative electro phase (pun intended), and a totally fresh flow with poetic, sharp bars that take more than a single listen to appreciate.
Already it’s this balancing of musical artistry and lyrical depth and realism – the voice is on point, and the production is cool, colourful, calming, engaging, often deeply evocative. Consider the romantic latter half of Locked In, and how complex and dynamic this album keeps proving itself to be.
Fifteen original tracks make up the album PHASES from independent rapper and artist SC4REAL. This extensive collection lets us truly lock into the thought process and lifestyle, while appreciating the songwriting in addition – something so often missing from indie hip hop albums in particular.
SC4REAL writes bars but also writes a great song, with the likes of Cloud 9 and Miles Logan leaving a lasting melodic imprint. This album is also loaded with clever refrains, stories, ideas, the personification of feelings and the metaphors built to keep you noticing some new trait each time you dive into tracks like Great Escape, Right Now, or the ambient escapism of Get Away.
From the big beats to the RnB synths, keys and warmer, more intimate moments, PHASES keeps you guessing, keeps you keen to listen, and keeps you feeling good.
For the late-night romantics the album is ideal, I Remember U and Love Me setting a smooth aura, but there’s also an impressive level of amp-you-up vibrancy to the bigger tracks, and some stripped-back performative spoken word sessions along the way (like Perfect Picture), all carefully woven into the purposeful tapestry of PHASES.
Things come to a close with a track called Right Now, which feels both atmospheric and conceptually conclusive – that motivational energy resounding, the journey concluding with a level of self-belief and inspiring optimism that’s both catchy and empowering but in a cool, conservative fashion.
SC4REAL gets the chemistry just right in terms of the art of the album, and PHASES is a standout conceptual playlist for hip hop, old school and RnB-crossover fans past and present. Great production, great songs, smart bars and a captivating vocal lead and storyteller.
Find SC4REAL on Apple, Instagram or visit CoolRebel.net.
