SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KILLER MIKE – MICHAEL & THE MIGHTY MIDNIGHT REVIVAL, SONGS FOR SINNERS AND SAINTS

KILLER MIKE
MICHAEL & THE MIGHTY MIDNIGHT REVIVAL, SONGS FOR SINNERS AND SAINTS
LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS

Following his GRAMMY sweep for the hip-hop category for his 2023 seminal solo breakthrough, Michael, Killer Mike has been enjoying what can best be described as a victory lap with a spectacular tour seeing the rapper backed by a gospel vocal ensemble and DJ Trackstar. With dates stretching as far as October, Killer Mike is keeping the momentum going with Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs For Sinners And Saints, a ten track record that acts as a close to a chapter that began in 2022.

Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs For Sinners And Saints opens with “Bussin Bricks Intro”, a brief knockout punch that has the momentum to easily run for twice as long. Rather, the track is both the shortest and most aggressive on the record as Killer Mike raps over a spacious arrangement of synth bass and a frenetic beat. Much like Michael -perhaps even more so, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival,, Songs For Sinners And Saints takes a much more pensive and reflective tone, as heard on the following “Nobody Knows”, featuring Anthony Hamilton and a chorus of gospel vocals over a more organic beat that could in fact be a band. The overt use of gospel influences between both Michael and Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival,, Songs For Sinners And Saints further connects the two records while also setting them apart from Killer Mike’s peers. Most importantly, they provide a sonic context that allows for his lyrical narratives to better connect to the lineage of the African American struggle for equal citizenship; through Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival,, Songs For Sinners And Saints we once again here contemporary enhanced by tradition in a manner that enriches the music and Killer Mike’s thematic tone.

While ten songs in length, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival,, Songs For Sinners And Saints sees Killer Mike revisit a number of songs from Michael with new arrangements and a new sense of perspective. For example, “Exit 9 (Scenic Route)” – originally “Exit 9” – now features a verse from Offset over a significantly altered arrangement. Similarly, “Still Talk’n That Shit” – built on “Talk’n That Shit” – features new verses from Key Glock, Project Pat, and Killer Mike himself, essentially making the song entirely new. The greatest example of this, however pulls from both “Slummer” and “Something For Junkies”. The culminating “Slummer For Junkies” is a powerful track that looks at teenage pregnancy and addiction through the lens of black America. Of the new songs, the opener, “Humble Me”, and “’97 3-6 Freestyle” stand as essential tracks.

In all regards, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs For Sinners And Saint is a striking epilogue to the Michael era, a creative arch that has pushed Killer Mike from the favourable underdog to a leading voice among modern hip-hop. Between the album, the tour, and the follow-up album, Killer Mike has masterfully created a distinctive era that serves not only as a latter career highlight, but a vibrant moment within the genre. Ultimately, Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs For Sinners And Saints continues to demonstrate the artistry, precision, vision, and undisputed prolific nature of Killer Mike.

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