The Boston rapper opts for a contrarian application on his debut record. Impakct valiantly explores experimental electronic music and a hip hop fusion blend to package a short concise record. It will be one of 2022’s most meticulous efforts to uphold rap to thorough lyrical standards, but also through an unnatural production palette for the genre, that pushes rap’s boundaries sonically
Dabbling into an unorthodox soundscape of boom bap and electronic driven melodies & chords, the Fall River Massachusetts emcee nimbly showcases his dominant rapping skills and word acrobatics on his debut unconventional EP, Automation.
The EP arrives hosting six records that weave through the concept of how regular people tend to forego their own dreams and ambitions, and end up going through life in a robotic fashion – at least content wise.
“The inspiration is, often in life people become complacent, they get comfortable in their lives and lose sight of their dreams/goals they forget that they matter. So they grind through life day to day in a robotic fashion, hence the name Automaton” Impakct tells us.
From the psychedelic reverb adlibs on “Regular Guy”, to the MPC-like drums on “Holdin’ Mics”, to the more futuristic and deep tech keys on “Bullets” – the project registers a much more expansive sound and experimental experience for the listener.
Lyrically, it’s a masterclass of stream conscious bars, comparable to the ilk of emcees known for their engaging story-telling such as Ghost Face, Doom, Aesop Rock, and others including Kool Keith and Del – but not limited to – Impakct’s carte blanch vision & attention-grabbing hip hop tone instantly places him in a class of his own where not too many rappers today would dare step into – potentially in the mainstream or pop realm of things.
The lost art of hip hop bars is sort of wading away from the mainstream spotlight into the abyss of the underground, but Impakct manages to solicit a firm voice and tell his story through his music.
Borrowing the stylistic endeavors of 90’s rap music that was all about bars and skill, Impakct can confidently hold his own as a preservative artist and a pink elephant in a time where Hip Hop is pre-dominantly orbiting around melodic song structures, thumping 808’s, braggadocio and auto tune production. This is a project definitely contrary to the times, but nonetheless one of the bravest and statement projects that will be remembered for its character, rather than mass appeal.
Enjoy it through the link below:
