Tangled Maze

Aesop Rock is perhaps one of the most identifiable voices in hip-hop. His low, yet nasally vocal tone pairs with unique flows to create something that is twistedly beautiful. As if Rock’s flows weren’t unconventional enough, he is basically the Encyclopedia Britannica of rap. Aesop Rock’s vocabulary is incredibly expansive and frankly intimidating at times. Still, beneath the scary exterior of Rock’s lyricism lies heaps of hip-hop treasure. The snarky jokes, food metaphors and bouts of self-deprecation that reveal themselves upon multiple listens are sure to charm listeners’ hearts.

Similarly, Tobacco is a producer that thrives on his eccentricities. His paranoia-inducing, psychedelic hip-hop flavored soundscapes are often unpredictable. What can start out as amorphous vocal and synth sounds can eventually become a full-on dance anthem. Based on everything you have heard so far, you may think that this album was destined to be a big, convoluted mess. And to some degree, you’d be right, but based on the imagery and character constantly presented in Malibu Ken, it is clear to see that this was a purposeful move. This album is one beautiful contortion, but it that only makes it better.

To get a glimpse of what this means, let’s examine the first single “Acid King.” The song begins with a cryptic synth bassline from Tobacco. Soon after this, Aesop Rock comes in to provide some of his signature storytelling. Detailing an acid trip gone bad, Aesop Rock raps a very disconnected verse from a flow and meter perspective. Rock always feels a tad disconnected from the synths he’s rapping over, but he does not falter from his esoteric pattern. The track feels more and more tense and unhinged as it goes on. Ultimately, this disconnection combines with dissonant, bell synths to make an incredibly devastating tale. The track is truly stunningly adventurous. The imagery Rock displays in his lyricism pairs perfectly with Tobacco’s jumbled together production.

This density maintains itself on tracks like “Dog Years” and “Sword Box.” The former is a mid-tempo affair that showcases a variety of timbres. The hard-nosed tongue of Aesop Rock, the multiple synth layers, the sampled vocal pattern and Tobacco’s crushed vocal hook all feature proudly on this track. Even with all these components, the track sounds rather swaying and easy going. This is a stark contrast to that of “Acid King,” but it still feels as if it is within the same universe. Though that may sound like malarkey to the casual reader, you will easily be reassured that it is not upon hearing the multitude of talents Aesop Rock and Tobacco showcase on this record.

The nutty and futuristic “Corn Maze” manages to be terrifying but easy to dance to. “1+1=13” is atmospheric while also being politically energized. Lastly, “Purple Moss” is both relaxingly melodic and incredibly eye-opening. Sure, these wide skill sets make this ambitious and occasionally messy, but they also make this record incredibly hypnotizing. So much is thrown at you so fast there is no time to sit there and worry. You just have to buckle in for the ride and figure it out yourself.