Genres: Alternative Rap
This is an extremely well put together album from an artist I had no idea existed in a genre I don't usually think of Australian's fitting too often. Australian hip-hop artists have always perplexed me as our accents are a little goofy for this kind of music. The artist Tuka (pronouced tuck-a) flows very well with the music and can , on occasion, sing, although with not much range. The music behind him is tight and concise with a bounce that feels more of the world that Kool Keith and Aesop Rock inhabit.Tuka doesn't overstep himself or try to force his writing so as to come off as 'edgy', the focus is on the rhyme to accentuate the beat. Lyrically he's a little juvenile at times but it's in a charming fashion.
Tuka is part of a trio known as Thundamentals (their site is linked here) and this is his second solo effort. How he punctuates his own identity away from the group is lost on me as I only know of this album. I will say that Tuka's presence is the most noticeable on the entirety of the album and the occasional guests don't move the spotlight away from him. Tuka's timing an tone are all of a high-calibre
Usually Tuka quick-fires his rhymes and this can make the verses blend together until they've been listened to a few times. The first half of the record has the strongest ideas and major choruses with 'Time & Space' ,'Die a Happy Man' and the title track but the second half has a few memorable moments in 'Dodo Bird', 'Next Door' and 'Mr. Inside'. .
If I could level a few criticisms at the record it would be to point out that there is not too much range to the presentation, the tempos are mostly similar and this can make the final parts of the album seem longer than they are.
All in all, this was well worth more than one listen through and I might be listening for a while longer.
RATING: 4/5
Below is a video for the track 'Die a Happy Man'
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