Genre : Hip-hop, Neo-soul, Post-punk, Industrial
Released : February 24th, 2023
Label : Matador Records
FFO : clipping., Backxwash, Run The Jewels,
The Smile, One Day As A Lion, Gilla Band
It had been a while since a hip-hop (for the most part) release had genuinely caught my attention and held my interest as much as this new album from Algiers, "Shook", has.
Granted, that is partly due to me being way less in touch with the goings-on of that sector of the music spectrum and industry compared to a few years ago, but listening to "Shook" has, in a way, kind of acted as a reminder of what I used to enjoy when listening to this style of music and why I even got into in the first place.
"Shook" boasts an eclectic palette of musical styles ranging from industrial hip-hop to post-punk and soul while also dipping its toes in jazz, spoken-word and world music; creative sound design, production and beat-making, and of course, a variety of impactful and memorable vocal performances with a sizeable amount of quality guest features with lyrical content to match that is as incisive as it is thought-provoking.
In spite of its somber, "noir" industrial atmosphere and the reality of the serious topics being addressed, "Shook" has a celebratory undertone and empowering message at its core.
As the album weaves its narrative, its flow is often driven by the spoken-word segments delivered by hip-hop legend Big Rube who also hails from the band's hometown of Atlanta which adds a strong layer of identity and personality to the whole record by including and deepening the band's relationship to their hometown within the album's story and the sociopolitical stances that are being highlighted throughout.
The result is a highly engaging, sonically rich and diverse cohesive listening experience that leaves a lasting impression and has the ability to appeal to a broad range of audiences.
This was my first time properly diving into a full length piece of work from Algiers and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed this record and how often I came back, and still keep coming back to it.