Art: Sam Fuehring
I respect Phoelix
greatly for releasing
an 18 song mixtape
in 2018. The prolific
artist has been touring,
collaborating, and making
music nonstop. In the last
eight months,
he's delivered with
the seven song GSPL EP
and now the 45 minute
TEMPO mixtape,
a sprawling showcase
that spotlights Phoelix's
abilities both behind
the boards and in front
of the mic.
Bar heavy,
harmony heavy,
with thick production
that properly blends
hip-hop with R&B
with soul with trap
with downtempo grooves.
It's one of
the densest releases
of 2018 so far,
demanding multiple
playbacks and frequent
spins. Two thirds
of the way through,
the five minute track
“Toll” makes an appearance.
It might be best
track on this project
and it's hidden
in the depths
of a damn gold mine.
Plenty of friends
come along
for this joy ride
(like Elton, Jean Deaux,
Smino, and Dax in Spanish)
and it's an enjoyable
journey indeed.
