Album Review: Leather Blvd by B. Cool-Aid

Pink Siifu and Ahwlee showcase their modern take on neo-soul, as Siifu provides alluring choruses and smooth verses over Ahwlee's silky rhythms.

Over the past several years, Pink Siifu has delivered excellent musical experiences. The rapper, originally from Alabama, has navigated through the gritty post-industrial soundscapes of NEGRO, the dreamy indie rap of Bag Talk with YUNGMORPHEUS, Real Bad Flights with Real Bad Man, and collaborations with Fly Anakin (FlySiifu’s, $mokebreak), consistently striking it rich. In 2023, Siifu revisits his B. Cool-Aid project alongside Long Beach beat maestro Ahwlee six years after their inaugural project, BRWN.

Ahwlee's production exudes personality, effortlessly crafting the album's unique sonic universe with its opening themes, often joined by the jazz ensemble Butcher Brown. Throughout Leather Blvd, his beats transform into G-funk hybrids, amplifying the glamour and glitz to cinematic levels. The nostalgic Old Hollywood strings and energetic high-end funk grant the album a cinematic urban vibe. At the same time, the star-studded lineup of features (frequently three or four per song) enlivens the album with a dynamic cast of characters.

The vocal performances often complement the glamor, resulting in a brilliant combination – such as Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca's velvety verses. Simultaneously, Liv.e's frequent backing vocals brilliantly illuminate the spaces they occupy. However, the B. Cool-Aid record shines when the vocals contrast the production's polished nature. Siifu takes center stage, rapping as if he's chewing on something (intended as a compliment), full of teeth and breath. Tracks like Welcome 2 Leather Boulevard and Wassup stand out, as Siifu's goblin-esque delivery creates a stunning Lynchian contrast against the great, sun-drenched beats.

Engaging beauty salon chatter blends with Ahwlee's hypnotic loops on So Soft Salon. At the same time, a live ensemble—thanks to multi-instrumentalist DJ Harrison and bandleader Butcher Brown—jazzily dances over a humorous audio clip from the late comic Teddy Ray on ChalkRoundIt (Talk abt it). The energetic rap track Brandy, Aaliyah, featuring Quelle Chris, offers vitality amid the leisurely ballads and thought-provoking spoken word. Indeed, most songs on Leather Blvd, such as the Mndsgn-supported Neem, incorporate introspective monologues (credit to The Dungeon Family's Big Rube) that paradoxically harmonize with Ahwlee's relaxed beat-crafting approach. While laidback doesn't necessarily mean dull, some may perceive it as such due to the abundance of dialogue, even though it is essential to the project.

As with BRWN and Syrup, B. Cool-Aid masterfully weaves disparate cultural soundbites, rhythmic shifts, enigmatic Siifu riffs, and enveloping lo-fi instrumentals into a unified work. The pair's third project presents a sophisticated soundtrack for the streets, a smoky piano lounge, or a school playground— it's not meant for those who don't belong. Regardless of the setting or the listener's location, Leather Blvd offers sage street knowledge, refinement, and the transcendent sounds of summer on the boulevard.

Solid (★★★½☆)

Standout Selections: Welcome 2 Leather Boulevard / Wassup / Brandy, Aaliyah