Malibu Ken
Malibu Ken
Rhymesayers Entertainment
As of 2016โs The Impossible Kid, it seems that Aesop Rock has been trying to make more accessible music. He and producer Tobacco, forming the duo โMalibu Kenโ, go back to the basics for this collaboration album.
Aesop Rockโs trademark humor is still intact. โCorn Mazeโ has the same feel as his classic work, while on โTuesdayโ he details fungus and how life thrives more when left alone.
He revisits the story of Ricky Kasso on the song โAcid Kingโ (he briefly mentioned him on โCatacomb Kingsโ), which was also the title of a 2018 book. Kasso epitomized the satanic panic of the 1980s that blamed heavy metal music for a spree of murders. Aesop Rock tells Kassoโs story point-by-point on the track.
Tobacco (of Black Moth Super Rainbow) stands out with his lo-fi and synth production, most impressive on the song โSword Boxโ, which epitomizes an 8-bit style. Tobacco relies on his trademark synths for Aesop to plow through.
The albumโs low-key feel makes it seem like an effortless attempt from Aesop Rock. Though neither as personal as The Impossible Kid nor as dense as Labor Days and None Shall Pass, Malibu Ken is still familiar territory for a rapper whose lyrics continue to befuddle audiences.
If youโre a fan of the Def Jux days, then youโll like this one. While itโs not quite as psychedelic as the lead single โAcid Kingโ or album art would have you believe, the production is quirky and Aesop Rock delivers solid raps.
Artistย Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MALIBU KEN – MALIBU KEN
Brian Capitao
