SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KILLAH PRIEST – MYSTERY CHANNEL

Killah Priest
Mystery Channel
600 Block Records

Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest has dropped his fourth major release this year, following an instrumental version of his 2022 collaborative album with Jordan River Banks, Mr. Universe (Instrumental Edition), Ragnarok Remixes, and Forest Of The Happy Ever After. Mystery Channel, a six-track EP, delivers new two songs, along with instrumental and remixed versions of his latest material.

Opening with crisp tone of brushes on a drumkit, the title track kicks off the album with a jazz inspired flare. The song grows with the use of a distorted bass line and light keys. The sparse beat allows for Killah Priest’s gravelly and reverb-drenched flow to glide through the soundscape effortlessly. It is such a laid-back approach that allows for Killah Priest to stand among the strongest affiliates of the Wu. Not every beat is worthy of an instrumental version; however, with its roots in jazz more than anything else, “Mystery Channel (Instrumental)” makes for a welcomed addition to the record, while “Mystery Channel – Tall Black Guy Remix” feels like an entirely different track with its smooth jazz connection. With its legato accenting sax and lush keyboards and synths, “Mystery Channel – Tall Black Guy Remix (Instrumental)” once again earns its place on the record.

The second original track on the record, “Snakes With Wings” draws more from a place of conventional hip-hop, with a slight rock inspiration, as seen through the distorted bass, resembling a Tom Morello riff. Despite feeling less ground-breaking than the previous track, “Snakes With Wings” is a bop that feels slightly experimental from the perspective of songwriting within the rap context. While the instrumental version of the song feels less necessary, the song is solid.

With only two new songs, Mystery Channel feels as though it relies on its inclusion of remixes and instrumentals to justify its release. Despite the quality of these additional songs, had the EP been a double single, “Mystery Channel” and “Snakes With Wings” would have likely packed more of a punch. That being said, the EP would most definitely benefit from consisting of more new material from these sessions, allowing for Killah Priest to truly shine through his spiritually charged lyrical flow of a collection of funky and organic jazz flavoured beats.

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