Artist: Mello Music Group
Album: Mandala Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows
Released: January 28, 2014
Released January 28 via Mello Music Group, both Mandala Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows & Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics drop as the latest installments of MMG’s new label compilations. Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows is a 20-cut collection featuring appearances from Mr. Lif, Has-Lo, Oddisee, and Quelle Chris. Boasting musical production from L’Orange, Has-Lo, and Oddisee among others, MMG continues to build its legacy with a lineup of fresh, innovative artists creating all-original sound productions.
The first track off of Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows, “Invisible Walls” (performed and produced by Oddisee) opens up with a revealing narrative by Oddisee; reflecting on thoughts of self-affliction, he moves precisely over chilling instrumentals, unraveling tangibles through his verses and questioning if it’s “a rebel lacking a cause or a cause lacking a rebel/ so I’ll take what’s mine and transform the date to a place in line/ with a picket sign that reads ‘I shall overcome when I climb.'”
It’s a perfect jumpoff that alludes to the caliber of artistry showcased by MMG. Combining “Poly,” a prefix meaning more than usual or many, and “Sonic,” meaning audible sound, Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows offers a plethora of beats and got-me-pressin-rewind-type of flows.
Standouts on Polysonic Flows include:
“The Lost Nova” (feat. Mr. Lif & Robinson, prod. L’Orange)- Tranquil jazz instrumentals parlay into explosive wordplay; swift-like “astrophysical lyrical with the gift/ turn it up, I insist/ like beats made by dusty vinyl (we design) truth.” Straight to the domepiece, the hooks incorporate modern philosophy to fuel the track, suggesting: “Life is an endless journey searching for the Lost Nova.”
“King O.A.T.” (feat. Yu, Tim Hicks, Charlie Ross, prod. Yu)- The quintessential anthem for success or playbook for upholding excellence (Picture listening to it during your morning work commute or wearing your holy grails like “check me out, I’m nice.”)
“Brick Walls & Blurry Faces” (feat. Castle & Blueprint, prod. L’Orange)- Offering the wittiest wordplay Mandala Vol. 1 has to offer, the track implores for us to move at “warp speed,” explaining life is short; “The side effect of moving fast/ is you hurry places/ and those that you see along your path have blurry faces/ you never slow down enough to learn who’s who/ beyond the superficial, until what they can do for you.”
“Problematic” (feat. Yu , prod. Slimkat 78) and “Bracelets” (feat. Has-Lo, prod. Has-Lo) offer melodic interludes that contrast amongst the heavy verses, taking a step back and reflecting over convincing head-nod-inducing beats, and binding over lyrics like “Mind-shockin, body-rockin, earth-shakin, money-makin, sitting-high, looking-fly, drinkin’ on the best wine.”
“Crazy High” prod. Oddisee- Oddisee efforts should be applauded here, as his coupling verses and production form a stylistic, systematic flow that resonates throughout Polysonic Flows. “Crazy High” is no exception, and its spell-binding instrumental might find you formulating your own freestyle or two. Go on, and get live.
“Money Shot”– chanting “Polysonic Flow/ raps is legendary” in unision , Self Says , Quelle Chris, Denmark Vessey, and Nic Notion close out Mandala Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows with their best, imploring soul claps and money shots, exhaling and ready to deliver more with the upcoming Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics.
Likened to the Lao Tzu of hip-hop, Mello Music Group targets the alignment of the soul, offering beats and rhymes, often medicinal, yet always ready to weave its unique, musical tales with lyrical accents that hold a promise for more: “(looking) back to your rear-view mirror/ it’s fogged up.” Let’s keep it moving and fast forward for more.
Stay tuned for Mandala Vol. 2, Today’s Mathematics, also released by Mello Music Group.
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