Right here now we have the 18th full-length studio LP albeit Unusual Music sophomore effort from Sacramento, California veteran X-Raided. Exploding onto the scene in 1992 off the power of his full-length debut Psycho Energetic, he was shortly after sentenced to 31 years in jail on homicide prices, solely to be granted parole within the fall of 2018 & continued to construct his discography by dropping slightly over a dozen extra albums while incarcerated. The Nefarious Loc surprisingly signed to Unusual in 2022 & his earlier providing A Prayer in Hell was a real blue return to kind, so A Sin in Heaven had me anticipating no in another way.
“2400” is a lure opener airing out everybody for getting right here late & flexing that he bought right here early whereas the rapid-fire “Sacrilegious” discusses not understanding the darkish if you happen to ain’t ever been within the mild. “Can’t Maintain Us Down” has a gospel lure vibe to the beat seeking to ball within the midst of them tryna hold his individuals broke, however then “California State” that includes Locksmith is a cloudy tribute to the state out within the west coast that raised them.
In the meantime on “Boy Meets World”, now we have X over a way more bouncier beat speaking about eager to turn out to be a banger as he was rising up simply earlier than the groovier “P.T.S.D. (Passing The Story Down)” talks about his story being handed on to his youngsters. “A Favor for a Favor” that includes Nox finds the two coming collectively to allow them to inform a hustler’s story however after the “Waste Administration” interlude, “A Chilly Day in Hell” that includes C-Mob & Joey Cool refuses to decide on hoes over his bros supposing that’s the best way life goes.
“Olly Olly Oxen Free” that includes Bleezo, Tech N9ne & T-Nutty has these nervous undertones all through stepping on these muhfuckas in an actual manner acknowledging that solely the highest MCs be fuckin’ with them whereas “The Sunken Place” preluded by Wyshmaster solemnly lives in a drunken state. “Anymore” strips the drums fully hopping over pianos asking if it’s too late to confess he’s damaged & “Pray” hooks the lure vibes again up speaking praying when all else fails.
Shifting on from there, “Conception (Aneraé’s Music)” atmospherically appears to interrupt all generational curses in his household tree whereas the trap-driven “Invigorated” that includes Ellis Prescott in addition to Macntaj & Trizz talks concerning the feeling of being revitalized. “It’s Up” that includes KXNG CROOKED & Ras Kass sees the trio coming collectively for a 3 & a half minute west coast barfest whereas “Juggernaut” goes drill refusing to ever cease now that he’s dwelling.
“Paranoia” that includes Tech N9ne blends a guitar & hi-hats permitting them to display speedier flows revolving across the theme of being paranoid & after the “All or Nothing” interlude, the psychedelic rock/lure hybrid “No Conversations” tells everybody to carry their breaths as he balls. “Child Mama Music” wittingly expresses his gratitude to be free whereas “Water” that includes Ellis Prescott, Jerome Dillard, Laza & Macntaj takes a carefully melodic method.
Pushing additional in direction of the tip of A Sin in Heaven, the penultimate monitor “Elevating” that includes Don P is that this gospel/lure hybrid discovering each of them speaking about always evolving from an inventive standpoint whereas MIKE SUMMERS a.ok.a. Seven laces the nearer “Gladiator” that includes C-Mob & King Iso finds all 3 of them coming collectively passionately referring to themselves as being educated to battle with weapons towards others.
Solely the 2nd launch from the Unusual Music camp this yr following Tech’s first Collabos album in a very long time C.O.S.M. (Class of Unusual Music) after signing a brand new distribution take care of each RBC Data founder Brian Shafton’s new label Compound Curiosity Leisure alongside Virgin Music even final summer time & it’s a worthy successor to what has already turn out to be X’s strongest physique of labor in current reminiscence. He takes issues full circle experiencing joys in life now that he has crafted a life he may solely have imagined just some years in the past.
Rating: 7/10