Unpacking Armand Hammer's 'Paraffin': A Deep Dive
Unpacking Armand Hammer's 'Paraffin': A Deep Dive
Explore the lyrical depth and production styles of 'Paraffin' by Armand Hammer. A detailed review that exposes the album's multi-layered art.
The roots of Armand Hammer can be traced back to significant moments in the artist’s life. billy woods came into the public eye with an anecdote that became part of underground rap history: the burglary of an apartment in Harlem in the 1990s, immortalized in Cannibal Ox’s 2001 album The Cold Vein. woods was encouraged to rap by Vordul Mega, one-half of Cannibal Ox, and spent years refining his craft in the hip-hop scenes of New York and D.C. It wasn’t until 2012 that he gained major recognition with the release of History Will Absolve Me, an album that showcased his full artistic potential.
On the flip side, ELUCID has been an influential figure in his own right. Before teaming up with woods, ELUCID had already made waves with his confrontational work in 2016’s Save Yourself, along with shorter projects focusing on various social issues. These individual backgrounds set the stage for the formation of Armand Hammer, and they continue to influence the complex, layered work the duo produces, as Paraffin exemplifies.
Armand Hammer’s Paraffin is a project that draws listeners in with its complex structure regarding lyricism and sound. While there are some similarities to Cannibal Ox’s The Cold Vein, especially in the intricate nature of the writing, Paraffin carves its path. The writing is so packed with details and asides that it can be easy to lose yourself , yet it never feels overwhelming.
One of the remarkable features of this album is the vocal integration by both woods and ELUCID. They can blend their voices with the beats in a way that invites focus but does not suffocate the listener. The space they create within their songs allows one to drift in and out, much like a film editor guides an audience’s gaze across different focal points. For example, “ECOMOG” fluctuate in intensity, which mirrors the album's variety of emotional and intellectual engagement.
The pacing of Paraffin is well thought out, not just within each song but across the album as a whole. “ECOMOG” and “No Days Off” exemplify this careful construction. The former is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, while the latter offers a cathartic release that feels earned after the tension built up in the preceding tracks.
Armand Hammer does not shy away from tackling heavy and often contentious topics in Paraffin. A recurring subject is the criticism of Western capitalism, summed up pithily in lines like “You don’t work, you don’t eat.” In tackling issues of American racism, the duo opts for pointed commentary rather than sweeping generalizations. For instance, lines like “I elect ‘Nature of the Threat’ as the new black national anthem” speak to their specificity and awareness.
Family relationships and the complexities that come with them are another focus. There are mentions of tension-filled family gatherings, including lines like “Still remember something foul my uncle said/Yeah, I’ma carry that to the end,” that add another layer to the album’s rich thematic structure.
The production elements of the album, contributed by the likes of Willie Green, Kenny Segal, August Fanon, Messiah Musik, Ohbliv, and ELUCID himself, are geared towards enhancing the lyrical content. The album’s sound combines distorted and dissonant tones that harmonize well with the lyrical content. Interestingly, the producers have extended the album’s aesthetics beyond the auditory, making it visually cohesive with the black-and-white album cover.
Taken as a whole, the lyrical content of Paraffin is a deep dive into various interconnected topics that matter To the artists and, likely, to the audience. This coordination of audio and visual elements adds a layer of thoughtfulness to the project. Whether through the critical lens of society or the intimate details of personal relationships, woods, and ELUCID leave no stone unturned.
billy woods and ELUCID showcase a unique working relationship on ‘Paraffin,’ which is one of the standout aspects of the album. While their styles differ—ELUCID is more abstract and unconventional in his approach, and woods is somewhat more direct—they complement each other remarkably well. Their songs often feature deeply connected thematic elements, even if their verses rarely interact directly.
A case in point is the song “Hunter,” where ELUCID discusses the objectification of bodies in a violent societal context, while woods focuses on the subtleties of life’s darker aspects. The two might seem to be tackling different topics, but a closer look reveals they provide two different angles on similar thematic undercurrents. Their unique chemistry allows them to create an album rich in substance without feeling disjointed. They speak on parallel topics but are still closely linked, contributing to a fuller understanding of each theme. This balance between individual artistry and mutual thematic cohesion makes their collaboration on Paraffin especially noteworthy.
While discussing weighty topics, Armand Hammer doesn’t shy away from displaying their unique personalities and injecting humor into their work. This is particularly evident in Paraffin, where the duo’s wit is as noticeable as their political and social commentary. In the track “Black Garlic,” ELUCID refers to YouTube provocateur DJ Vlad as the “big boss at the end of the internet,” a line that critiques internet culture and serves as a humorous jab. On another track, “VX,” woods engages in wordplay as he raps about the illusionary nature of money, poking fun at a collections agent with lines like “wiping cappuccino foam out the beard like, ‘How do you reckon?’”
Their humor counterbalances the album’s heavier themes, adding a layer of complexity that makes the duo relatable and engaging. The blend of humor and personality makes it clear that neither rapper is interested in portraying themselves as a know-it-all, despite their deep reflections on societal issues.
While Paraffin delves deep into the intricacies of modern life, politics, and ethics, it is not an album designed for mass consumption or one that is likely to change the course of mainstream rap. Unlike the influential The Cold Vein, Paraffin exists primarily on the fringes of the rap industry. Given the album’s complex lyricism and specific focus, it appeals primarily to a niche audience willing to grapple with its themes and appreciate its sonic nuances.
However, within that specific community, woods and ELUCID are highly respected figures. Their collaborative work, particularly on Paraffin, reveals an impressive consistency in quality and a refusal to compromise on their artistic vision. Each is in a prolonged period of high-quality output. Paraffin adds to that reputation, establishing them as distinct voices worth listening to, even if they don’t conform to mainstream expectations.
Despite its likely limited influence on mainstream rap, Paraffin does contribute to the broader dialogue on pressing social issues like American capitalism and racism, and it does so without being weighed down by industry norms. Thus, while it may not be a commercial blockbuster, its cultural importance should not be underestimated, especially among those who value thoughtful, challenging rap.