This has been in our inbox for a few days, but in all honesty we’ve recently had a massive influx of generally really good albums sent to us. This by no means ‘Bright Lights, Good Night’ has any less in substance, potential, or value-it just means sometimes it’s going to take us a day or two to get round to every awesome LP, mixtape or EP we get sent. There really is only two of us, well plus our peg legs beatboxer.
Well with that in mind July Quin carries on the trend of solid albums being sent our way, and has come out with a well produced, intelligent and thoroughly enjoyable album. He switches between themes of personal struggles, and that of his surrounding environment’s, to tracks reflecting on his travels and how it’s shaped his outlook and attitude. There’s no ‘concept’ per-say for ‘Bright Lights’, but there are common threads running through out, and the songs themselves stick together in a very intentional way. Not to say they all sound the same, and this record’s full of fillers, because it’s really not. It’s more to say that you get the feeling that July Quin was in a certain headspace when he was penning this album. I think in some ways it’s a perfect coming-of-age record, although regardless of your age I think you’ll find a lot of relevance within it.
Talking of people of different age brackets, and cats from different eras; this has so much obvious 90’s/early 2000’s influence in it’s production technique, and sampling, you really aren’t listening if you don’t pick up on it. Ten point for sampling TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ on ’93 & Forever’, try and hate that, go on try? Nah you can’t.
‘Breaks At The Bodega’ is a really well versed, and really well placed acapella track featuring Carina Espinal analysing the current culture and history of the Bronx, in a clever and well-inform way that only a kid from the Bronx could. This serves as a part 1 to the following track ‘The X’, where July shows off his storytelling prowess and gives the listener a little window into his life growing up in the Bronx. Two of my favourite songs on the album for sure.
All in all, this is an album that’s going to appeal to backpackers, roadman, golden agers and new schoolers alike. The production and instrumentation is original and well thought out, never slows down and keeps it interesting, and compliments July and the guest rappers perfectly.
I’d never heard of this dude before, but I was left generally impressed, now I know we’ve been saying that all lot but hey we’re not going to promote bad music are we? Take our word as bond and get your hands on this, July Quin already sounds likes a veteran of his craft.
For fans of 90’s/200o’s era, Fashawn, Talib Kweli, Jae Apollo, Evidence, Childish Gambino.
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Words: Aimee
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