hiphoplifeandtimes

Today see’s the release of Verb T’s new album ‘I Remain’ on High Focus Records. We were lucky enough to get an early copy, so Adam De Leslie stepped up to the plate to give the album a review for us here at HHL&T. Here’s what Adam had to say on the album……

It’s fair to say I’ve been looking forward to this, last year’s ‘Morning Process (Wake Up)’ has been on heavy rotation in my house all year, so yes, eagerly awaited.

With this album being entirely self produced you really get Verb’s internal world, externally. A bold move for someone with such respected producers around him, but the result is a brilliantly realised piece of work. “The  brakes are cut, I can’t stop” – the opening line, is like a statement of intent seeing as the whole album is bar after bar after.

The temptation to just quote a bunch of lines and just say “Look, LOOK, buy this album!” was large for good reason. Although the lyricism and wordplay that sound so natural, and are what he’s known for, he doesn’t let up on any track. Wisdom comes naturally to Verb T, and he doesn’t hold back his opinions on anything, from internet hate to drug use, family life to toast (more on that to come) and much more.

Given the level of personal touch to this album, it became clear to me that it is a whole entity, and best listened to entirely to get his whole vision. Shuffle function is your enemy!! Verb’s production is niiiiice! With a unsurprisingly classic style, it’s chilled out and then it’s booming, and then it’s slyly haunting – sometimes all in one song. Most notably the album title track, ‘I Remain’.

With features from Fliptrix, Kashmere and Genesis Elijah to boot, it’s got that potential for a classic and could be considered his greatest work in years to come, although he’ll probably release like another 2986 records before he hangs it up. Song for song it’s hard to pick a favourite but ‘Negative Energy’ featuring Genesis Elijah probably is it for me. A track inspired by Internet hate which I probably like so much because I (ironically) hate all that YouTube comment shit.

‘I Remain’ will remain playing in my house as I imagine it will in many. For those who truly love hip hop this is a must listen.

Oh and as for toast, well I don’t wanna give too much away but Verbs likes toast bitches.

Words: Adam

Get Verb T’s Dope album ‘I Remain’  ON CD & LIMITED EDITION VINYL: http:///www.high-focus.com

or from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-remain/id720090729

Verb T – I Remain (Album Snippets) [VIDEO]

Verb T – I Remain (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Verb T – Crime Of Passion [AUDIO]

Verb T – Lost (Guru Tribute) OFFICIAL VIDEO

http://www.high-focus.com/verbt