The Bronx rapper delivers a scintillating trade-off between introspection and absurdism.
Expanding on the raw charisma of his 2020 album ‘Mean Cold’, the Bronx rapper emerges as an underground enigma with his latest release, ‘PreciselyEntertainmentZones.Info’. Stepping up across every aspect, from his commanding cadence to the improved selection of beats, Sandwichez marks his presence right across this lengthy project.
While the elongated tracklist and multiple skits hold all the hallmarks of a classic hip-hop album, the rapper’s latest release is the furthest thing from conventional. Opening the album with a recording from Boris Johnson’s final speech as Prime Minister, the intro merges into the vibrant hip-house/electro-pop beat of ‘Never’, as the rapper playfully kickstarts his verse with the lyric; “the secret’s out the house”. Fusing the 90’s video game electronics with the pounding 808s and Sandwichez’s infectious energy, this track serves as the benchmark for the playful lyrics and eccentric instrumentals which are soon to follow.
While his tight, impeccable flows and demanding presence ensure his high standards are maintained throughout the album, Sandwichez’s selling point most definitely lies within his witty persona and absurd lyricism. When combined, these construct humorous tracks such as ‘Crayola’, whose goofy one-liners such as, “I talk to my penis, I call him Crayola” induce a similar comedic taste to that of a Danny Brown/Ski Mask The Slump God lyric. This quirkiness permits the Bronx rapper to take risks throughout this record, such as the warped vocal effects which tie into the narrative of the lyric; “every other part of my body belongs to the robots”. Another example of the rapper failing to take himself seriously is the animated performance on ‘Wassup Mate’, where his undying commitment to the ludicrous one-liners result in yet another whimsical high point.
But ‘PreciselyEntertainmentZones.Info’ is far from being a joke, as Sandwichez shows he’s just as competent when delivering his most intuitive verses. These come to fruition particularly during the second half of the record, culminating in moments of brilliance such as the frenetic ‘When I Was Alone’, whose detailed narration and Coldplay interpolation provide a unique trade-off between despondence and indignation. ‘Guard Up’ offers a similar approach, with the melodic trap influences and mild use of autotune allowing introspective lyrics such as “my daddy told me keep your guard up, don’t let your feelings show” to cut that bit deeper.
As an underground release which surpasses an hour in length, it’s perhaps understandable that certain tracks don’t quite hit the mark. ‘Sister’ and ‘Good Morning’ exist as these anomalies, with the overtly outlandish lyrics and unnerving grunts producing the very few instances where the absurdism becomes too much to handle. But for the most part, Sandwichez’s exuberant attitude works to his advantage, keeping the listener on their toes while inducing an element of intrigue to the album.
Overall, ‘PreciselyEntertainmentZones.Info’ serves as an enthralling experience, with Sandwichez’s diversity and skilful pedigree forging an album with unique qualities. With the soaring bass of the 808’s prominent throughout, nuances within the instrumentation assemble around this, incorporating elements of electro-pop, DnB and U.K. Drill. With his witty persona taking stage, Sandwichez crafts an entertaining body of work, delivering a scintillating balance between the passionate grit of conventional hip-hop, and the authentic nature of his playful temperament.
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