Aesop's new album follows in the wake of several deep personal losses and highlights subject matter that deals with the sometimes-futile ways people try to cope with serious issues. While the sounds are familiar, we see Aesop venturing in some exciting new directions with guest appearances from indie rock archetype, Kimya Dawson, as well as Allyson Baker of Dirty Ghosts, Hanni El Khatib, Nicky Fleming-Yaryan, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz and the Grimace Federation. Skelethon not only sees the rapper back waxing poetically on his own but also marks his first wholly self-produced effort. Since the release of None Shall Pass in 2007, we've seen Aesop Rock touring the world, launching online arts outlet,, and collaborating on LPs with Felt, Hail Mary Mallon, the Uncluded and more. Give it a listen it is definitely his most accessible album to date, and will ease you into his strange style.Iconic New York-born, San Francisco-based rapper and producer, Aesop Rock, is joining forces with Rhymesayers to release his sixth studio album, Skelethon, on July 10th 2012. Excluding "Tetra", my favorite tracks on the ablum would probably be "Gopher Guts", "Leisurforce", and "Homemade Mummy". "Tetra" is by far the biggest standout track on the album, changing up beats 3-4 times, and Aesop's lyrics at his best shouting "I wear the same hoodie everyday like Mumra!". This is the indie rap equivilant of the mainstream rap's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". There are certain songs that will bring Aesop fans back, songs resembling track beats on "Bazooka Tooth", but these beats are much more layered and change tempo and bpms throughout the tack. It doesn't have some of the large syllable usage of "Labor Days", but the level of deepness and subject matter is at its highest. On the lyrics side, this is definitely his darkest, and possibly his most complex album to date. He has found away to balance his impeccable vocabulary with a beat style that matches his weird, metaphor based, rhyme style. He has found away to balance his impeccable vocabulary with a beat style that matches his Production wise, this is by far Aesop's best work. Production wise, this is by far Aesop's best work. Aesop Rock has produced and wrote and preformed an album that excels in every aspect of what art, not just music and not just hip hop, can be. Taken together, it is a harrowing look into the mind of someone brave enough to let others in. Despite it's variance, Skelethon is much more than the sum of it's parts. The album ender "Gopher Guts" is such a sobering slap in the face you might want to call your mom and tell her you love her, think about how you treat your friends and maybe write a letter to someone you miss. When Skelethon turns dark is is pitch pantone black.
"Grace" is grin worthy from start to finish and "Racing Stripes" is downright joyful and jubilant. Lighthearted tracks are few but there are plenty of moments where you can enjoy tracks at face value. Just when you think you are listening to a twist on your average banger filled with braggadocio (Tetra) it takes an almost delicate dip and back again. The same could be said about much of the rest of the album. "Ruby 81'" comes to mind immediately in this description, I do not believe that the emotion it communicates could be reached in any other medium it is a mix of sadness, tension, relief and ennui. A test of any piece of art, being painting, film, sculpture or music, is if can illicit an emotion that is unable to be conveyed in any other medium. Tracks are tight and drums driving, nothing gets lost in the mix. He took the helm of producing this one himself and it paid off.
Aes' wordplay and flow are top notch and turned up throughout. This is not easy listening and if you aren't up to being challenged take a pass on it, no harm no fowl. This Skelethon is a beast of album with many faces ready to turn corners at break-neck speed and leave you with beads of sweat on your brow. Skelethon is a beast of album with many faces ready to turn corners at break-neck speed and leave you with beads of sweat on your brow.
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