Dead5et explores vast unsettling terrain on the intense disorienting journey of “The 5ide B Project”. Verses cut to the very bone. Observational, conversational, and inspirational there is a delicacy to the way he brings it all together. By going for all these different approaches, the collection has a fully realized richness to it. Such depth to the lyrics every word is chosen with the utmost of care, and his voice has a commanding presence behind it. A clever mixture of old school and contemporary hip-hop, bits of trap, R&B, jazz, electro, EDM, pop and more get filtered through his unique vision.
Everything about the sound has a careful attention to production. On some of the tracks he features elements of DJ Screw’s slowed down grooves, helping to bring a bit of celebration and good vibes into the fray. The production’s eclectic quality resembles MF Doom’s style, as well as his fondness for messing with pitch shifts in a perfect way. For the lyrics themselves, there is a thoughtfulness to them that recalls a bit of A Tribe Called Quest. He unpacks what precisely community means that is highly respectful.
From far off “5ide B” starts things off with a mixture of muscle and delicacy. The song has an atmospheric presence, and the usage of the harp sample is truly inspired. Going for a wall of sound “Drop It” features a truly gorgeous club-ready track, right down to the brutal hit of the beat. By far the highlight of comes with the vivid psychedelic whirlwind of “Homies”. Stretched out vocal, chilled-out chords, the whole thing stuns. A nice duality takes place on the heavy thud of “Out My Way (feat. Uni)”.
Vocals have a disembodied aspect on the physicality of “Im Gone” with the staccato samples adding to the infectious hook. Going for a questioning attitude “Waddup Doe” features an uncanny sense of place, with the many layers working together to create a fully immersive experience. The sense of purpose feels rather majestic, for the buildup of the sound gives it a cinematic flourish to it. Cleverly “Your5elf” takes riffs from woodwinds and reuses them in a way that feels quite life-affirming, with the bass hitting in a buoyant way. On the aptly named “Microphone Murderer” he truly does spit fire, for the song has the delivery rush by in a bright brilliant blur.
“The 5ide B Project” shows off Dead5et uncanny ability to go hard, featuring a flow that is pure and complete fire.
