Aesop Rock’s artistic expression is patently trademark. His extensive vocabulary is well-documented, but seven studio LPs have allowed him to extrapolate creatively. A serious foray into producing began on Bazooka Tooth (2003), and he later provided all the beats for Murs & Slug’s Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez (2009), and Skelethon (2012), his most recent studio LP. Now, he’s back with The Impossible Kid. Save for two bonus tracks, there are no guest features, which means Aesop goes it completely alone.
Despite a number of fun collaborations in the past– not to mention an intensive creative history with a talented producer like Blockhead– Aesop takes full creative control here. Expectedly, he doesn’t disappoint, but he also does little to break the mold that, for better or worse, shaped him as an artist.
Right out of the gate, “Mystery Fish” sets the tone with a banging beat and pump-up energy, before segwaying into “Rings,” the album’s first official single. Here, Aesop puts his writing chops on full display, moving from second-person introspective to a first-person narrative loaded with psychedelic imagery. Said versatility is perhaps his strongest trait as a lyricist. “Blood Sandwich,” dedicated to his brothers, takes the listener to different time and place: “Steps up to the plate / Little brother, Little League / ’87 he was 8 / Rookie season for the skinny slugger / Newly out of tee-ball / Pit against a pitcher with a ripper you could eat off.” The physical descriptions of his surroundings reinforce the images and the environment of The Impossible Kid, especially when Aesop portrays himself as such.
Later, “Shrunk” marks a return to second-person: “You pack up all your manias / Sitting in the waiting room / You’re dreaming of Arcadia, you’re feeling like a baby tooth / Awaiting panacea, channeling your inner Beowulf.” Expectedly, Aesop impresses lyrically with his well-touted, intelligent bag of tricks, no matter the mode.
The cohesion of the album as a whole, however, is not as laudable. Aesop is a fine and able producer, evidenced by his tendency for meticulous track-layering. But intricacy is no substitute for substance. “Rabies,” while complex, ultimately plays lackluster vis-a-vis bland repetition. The same applies to “Kirby,” with musical nuances that feel both lazy and forced. And give Aesop credit for including more lyrically digestible numbers (“Lotta Years”; “Dorks”), but if production pales when juxtaposed with lyrics, the full effect of the track is not conveyed onto the listener.
Aesop Rock is a blue-chip name; his albums always achieve a certain consistency, sometimes through the production and his delivery alone. The Impossible Kid is no exception, but at the same time, doesn’t elevate much over any of his previous albums. For an artist so dedicated to literary technicalities, Aesop diverts from the usual script just enough to give listeners a better look into his personal life, whether it’s reminiscing on growing pains, or just venting to those who’ll listen. The end result is his most introspective material since “Daylight.” Dedicated fans will appreciate it for its familiarity, which ironically, might also be their deterrent from it.
Aesop trash as always, consistently makin nerdcore rap with space abstract beats, pass.
you call it nerdcore because they actually graduated high school and have a good vocabulary.. what would YOU prefer? I would love to hear what topics you think should be brought up in hip hop. Selling drugs? Gang Banging? Clubbing? Getting rich and fucking bitches? What a simple fool.
No one is more lyrical than Aes, literally proven. He’s a triple threat.
He has found his niche and he owns it.
The album’s fantastic. This guy just keeps getting better.
Liked every song, not his deepest album but definitely the best to bump to
Love it
From wikipedia;
“On the 10th of May, 2016, Bavitz attended a protest against racism. The protesters assaulted him for an unknown reason, presumably that his skin colour did not fit in well with the all-black rally. He was brought into the hospital with multiple injuries to the head and torso, some of which are stabbing wounds. He died of his injuried shortly after arrival.”
W.T.Fuck? wikipedia bullshit?
Gayer than two dicks in Liberace’s bunghole Nigga!!!
Everyone familiar with Aes work will dig this fellas brilliant new album.
Especially his production is sheer incredible and his talent as a lyricist is undeniable, dopeness!
One of his best records (if not THE best) yet and his awesome backcatalogue is history already.
This nigga made himself career by jacking asap rockies name. He would have more sucess being drakes shoe shiner for a living.
You’re an idiot and fool. Since this guy’s first album came out in ’98 how do you figure he stole the name from someone not even born at that time? You know nothing about hip-hop so just shut up.
So quick to call people idiots or fools, yet still so unable to recognize a joke when you read one
So quick to call people idiots or fools, yet still so unable to recognize a joke when you read one
Dope
Aesop for POTUS
This site is unequipped to review an Aes album. That was the most uninformed review ever. Maybr mention he handled every aspect of the project living alone in a barn? Dig into the song concepts or some of the more astonishing quotables? DX reviews are garbage. I could care less about the ratings, but put some research and background into your pieces
you guys are starting to give aesop rock fans a bad name
you guys are starting to give aesop rock fans a bad name
HHDX is f*cking garbage when it comes to underground. Mainstream rap is unlistenable and the site fawns all over it while giving BS “reviews” for actually good music. What’s the matter, Homer, Aes too heady for you? I understand he doesn’t rap about bling, clubs or fast cars, but at least try to listen and pay attention.
I give HHDX a 1.5/5
condescending
This album is amazing. Aesop is as talented as they come. HHDX needs a refresh on their non-mainstream reviewers. 5/5
Terrible review.
Just listen to the album. Aesop kills it.
Wow HHDX. Shame on you guys I never post on these reviews but HAD TO CHIME IN ON THIS. Giving this album 3.5 out of 5 is ridiculous. Honestly. This is one of the most solid albums to be released so far this year. I suggest you get another set of ears on this review guys. I mean come on. I listen to every genre of rap; Independent, commercial, underground, foreign etc, and it is quite obvious the caliber of quality packed into this album. I release it is based on opinion, so maybe you should assign reviewers on indie hip hop projects who can actually understand them. You guys are quickly losing the trust and respect of your followers. Time to post a second review guys. Show some respect to some real hip hop. This MUST consider all these aspects. Beyonce had a great album;very true. Beyonce also had around 100 collaboraters on her album. Its reviews like these why incredible hip hop doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
chill. it was a fair rating. this is a good album but not quite as good as skelethon or none shall pass
no, this was NOT a fair review and a lot of his fans feel it’s his best album. If you agree or disagree doesn’t really matter, it just means that album was good enough to be in that discussion amongst his fan base, people the most familiar with his work as a whole.
How many rappers put out the same shit time & time again? Talking about the same subject matter on each project? Then you give this guy who is excellent at writing & rhyming this low of a score? Because it’s similar to previous projects that he has done? He was much more introspective on this album then he has been in the past. Still a lot of depth lyrically. I guess since he wasn’t rapping about money, bitches & cars this entire album makes it subpar. HHDX is becoming just as terrible as XXL. I’ve beenreading reviews on this site for quite some time but the scale in which you guys rate albums is rediculous.. For example, Life of Pablo got a 4.3 even with the dumb ass lines that Kanye had.. that whole bleach & feel like an asshole line was atrocious & that whole ablum is littered with terrible bars like that…. FOH. Rap Reviews, The Needle Drop, Dead End Hip Hop will be the only places I go to from now on regarding Hip Hop reviews.
Album is an instant masterpiece. This review couldn’t be more off point. Everything from the production to the lyrics is flawless, easily Ace’s best album, even rivaling Labor Days. Album of the Year by far.
Probably my favourite rap album this year by far
This is by far the greatest album of this year. Aes is a god. Big up. Love all it. A great add to my playlist
I thought this album was insane from start to finish. definitely album of the year!. Aesop Rock has delivered another masterpiece once again.
Everything about this record is pure fire – the beats, the lyrics, Aesop’s flow – EVERYTHING. You can’t name 5 other MCs who are better lyricists than Aesop Rock.
Masta Ace, Redman, Eminem, Nas, Guru, Scarface, Chuck D, One Be Lo, Sean Price, Ghostface Killah, O.C. and i can go on… i can name 500 emcees better than this pretentious fxggot.
Yeah, but you would be fucking wrong. fxggot.
Yeah, but you would be fucking wrong. fxggot.
Incredible Album, this man keeps on getting better. This may be his best project in my opinion
I wish I could give it a 4.5. But keeping it Anti-Troll by voting honestly.
Easily one of Aesop’s best albums, as good if not better than Labor Days. Aes found himself again after 20 years and it’s an incredible journey to walk along side him with.
This fool doesn’t know… “no cohesion” ?!?! Are you retarded, this album is SO goddamn cohesive it’s ridiculous! AesRock produced the ENTIRE thing, by the way… how can it NOT be cohesive? This album’s insane and honestly didn’t expect it to be so sick! It just sounds so refreshing and I love that I have something new from Aesop Rock, and something that reminds me of how ill his flow is, how great his lyrics are and insane his production is! Best album of 2016 so far… better hope RTJ3 drops 2017, lol ; )
every time you listen to a song you figure out something new about it same as madvilliany i always knew aesop was good but found alot of his stuff hard to listen to not being a huge fan of his delivery and voice …not this album tho it just has so much content find his voice alot improved and the lyrics are incredible i find the album extremely cohesive and the beats are nasty.
Strong album, strong artist, strong production. Strength on strength y’all.
Impossible kid > skelethon