Album Review: Maps by billy woods & Kenny Segal
With a masterful command of playful and agony, billy woods seamlessly blends the worlds of weed and food, while showcasing his impressive approach and unique style.
For several years, the New York-based rapper known as billy woods has been on an unparalleled streak of success. woods, a prolific artist both as a solo act and as one half of Armand Hammer, has masterfully crafted a body of work that delves into the complexities of a fractured and self-destructive society. Through the use of pristine language, woods skillfully reflects the unsettling realities of our world through a unique and thought-provoking lens.
Upon first listen, immersing oneself in a billy woods album can prove to be an overwhelming experience. Throughout his solo discography, woods consistently collaborates with a sole producer, showcasing a predilection for experimental instrumentals that seldom conform to conventional hip-hop rhythms. woods' unique style is characterized by his self-crafted rhythms, which he delivers with a commanding presence. His bars are both robust and percussive, intricately woven with lyrical complexity that demands the listener's full attention, prompting them to keep their finger poised over the pause and rewind buttons.
The lyrical ability of the artist in question is truly remarkable, as evidenced by the depth and complexity of their words. Each line is imbued with such significance that it requires a moment of reflection to comprehend its implications fully. Yet, even as the listener attempts to unravel the intricacies of the verse, the musician has already moved on to deliver another barrage of thought-provoking phrases that will undoubtedly require further examination.
billy woods' discography is a testament to his artistic versatility and aptitude, making it difficult to pinpoint a singular standout album. woods' oeuvre is a cohesive body of work on a particular continuum, with each piece contributing to a greater whole. woods' musical prowess reached new heights with his 2019 album, Hiding Places, a collaborative effort with the talented LA-based producer Kenny Segal that left me utterly spellbound. Segal's haunting and industrial rhythms perfectly complemented woods' dystopian lyrical imagery, resulting in an unforgettable album that has left a lasting impression on me. After a four-year hiatus, the dynamic duo of woods and Segal have reunited to deliver their highly anticipated second album, Maps.
However, keen listeners will notice a shift in perspective from their previous work. Amidst the barren and bleak world that billy woods inhabits, he has achieved a success that may have once seemed unattainable. Though not yet a household name, this up-and-coming artist has honed his craft to the point where he can convincingly embody the persona of a jet-setting festival headliner, effortlessly spitting rhymes from the perspective of someone who's been flown out to rock crowds in far-off locales like Bratislava. As one undergoes a transformative experience, the lens through which they view the world inevitably shifts.
The latest offering from billy woods, Maps, draws heavily from the artist's experiences as a touring musician. Through his music, woods eloquently captures the disorienting feeling of being uprooted and disconnected from one's surroundings. In the lead single "FaceTime" off the album, the dynamic duo of woods and Samuel T. Herring from Future Islands engage in a poignant exchange about the bittersweet experience of being away from one's beloved while indulging in ostensibly enjoyable activities. woods paints a vivid picture of youthful exuberance fueled by the electrifying beats of dubstep and Playboi Carti while he finds himself confined to the solitude of a hotel room. In his latest musical offering, the talented woods has crafted a compelling track titled “Soundcheck.” The song delves into the artist's reluctance to engage in the tedious task of loading in at various venues during his tours. As the track unfolds, woods ingeniously transforms an old line into a fresh and captivating lyrical masterpiece.
Maps is a storied album boasting one-liners, punches, and vignettes that are meticulously crafted and delivered with impeccable timing. The attention to detail is unparalleled, making for a truly unforgettable listening experience. woods' nomadic style may not be for everyone, but his mastery is unquestionable. The artist's vocal delivery is a force to be reckoned with, cutting through the sonic landscape with a commanding presence reminiscent of a judge's authoritative gavel strike. With a remarkable ability to condense a story into just a few lines, he has proven himself a masterful wordsmith.
Kenny Segal's production is a kaleidoscopic masterpiece that ebbs and flows like the tides, perfectly complementing the motion of the music. The artist pulls out all the stops on this record, delivering an impressive array of free-jazz freakouts, melancholic loops, and sharp beat switches. woods' latest musical offering boasts a plethora of intricately woven melodies, with tracks such as the soulful "Houdini" showcasing a masterful blend of instruments that elevate the storytelling and emotional depth of the piece.
woods' latest release showcases a range of tracks, from the hauntingly sparse "Year Zero" featuring a standout verse from Danny Brown to the prophetic lyrics underscored by creaky percussion and eerie synths. Maps' eclectic beats traverse the globe may at first seem less daring than the raw and unconventional sonic landscape of Hiding Places. However, the diversity of Maps' sound indicates a progressive approach to music-making. Segal perceptively acknowledges that woods, who has garnered notoriety for his apocalyptic prophesying, is fundamentally a trailblazer. The artist's beats are masterful, propelling the listener into uncharted sonic and narrative territories.
Great (★★★★☆)