Kurious is a 54 yr outdated MC from the Higher Westside of Manhattan, New York who initially got here up beneath the moniker Kurious Jorge. He later signed to Columbia Information over 3 many years in the past for the underrated full-length debut studio album A Constipated Monkey after shortening the stage identify, returning 15 years later for the independently launched sophomore effort II adopted by a pair EPs: Koncrete Jungle & Monkeyman. For his third LP nevertheless, Kurious has curiously signed a brand new cope with Rhymesayers Leisure & the late underground icon MF DOOM overseeing its creation earlier than his premature passing.
“Unknown Species” begins with this playfully jazzy intro hitting y’all with that funky new shit whereas “Untainted” places extra emphasis on funk music instrumentally speaking about how the streets be selling as a lot because it’s riddled with crime. “‘Tis the Season” soulfully feels compelled to spit the neatest inside cause main into “Eye of Horus” conveying urgency by weaving a posh tapestry of historical past & perception the midst of ducking by means of & beneath every pocket within the beat.
As for “1984”, now we have Kurious over a pattern that throws it again to 4 many years prior getting his b-boy bag lyrically simply earlier than “Train & Forgive” brings a dusty growth bap flare to the desk speaking about everybody convey sinners & referring to the Earth as primal. “Separation Anxiousness”, occurs to be this a private bloodletting within the type of lyrical train over this uncooked synth-driven instrumental, however then “Cow’s Eye” hooks up some horns to speak about feeling vacancy within the coronary heart & the abdomen burning being a part of the sport.
“Bacalao Opera” hops over a vocal pattern charging it to the actual fact of defending one’s inside imaginative and prescient whereas “Majical Journey” brings the synths again speaking about respecting time in order that it will definitely respects us. “Barry Gibb” retains the eager ear for sampling on show treating his individuals as in the event that they’re royalty & “Par for the Course” that includes Mr. Fantastik makes drum breaks from the early Reagan period sound completely revitalized maintaining this this factor of theirs crackin’.
The penultimate tune “Open” that includes Homeboy Sandman nears the tip of Majician. with each MCs on prime of this drumless beat desirous to know precisely what the motive is recalling an disagreeable or embarrassing expertise previously that others would slightly overlook proper after the “Majic” interlude, the nearer “Come Again” has this symphonic vibe that I take pleasure in all through addressing those that need the payoff & by no means craving chaos.
A mesmerizing mix of technical wizardry & private introspection, the novel quantity of labor Kurious put into his Rhymesayers debut cements his place as one of many premier MCs of his time along with substantiating the legacy he has lengthy deserved & eradicating all ambiguity from the query of whether or not he can stand as one of many premier MCs of his time. Mono En Stereo’s manufacturing feels nostalgically reminiscent to DOOM’s materials & Kurious himself steps up his lyrics in comparison with his earlier EPs.
Rating: 8/10