[Album Review] Dark Time Sunshine - 'ANX'
It's been awhile since we've had an album review on SKoA. Looks like we'll have to change that and get back to business. Especially with all the great releases that we've seen this year and the many more on the way it's only right that we let you know whats on our mind and in our tape deck...excuse me MP3 players, spotify playlists, etc. you get the picture. So lets get right into it, shall we?
It's been a great year for independent hip hop with the release new albums by some of the genre's greatest artists such as El-P, Doomtree, Aesop Rock, Killer Mike, I Self Devine and upcoming albums from P.O.S. and Brother Ali. Enter Dark Time Sunshine to release their latest and dare I say greatest album to date, ANX. With their new LP, Grayskul wordsmith Onry Ozzborn and beatmaker extraordinaire Zavala return with an evolved, more polished version of their previous LP, Vessel which continues to progress the DTS sound above and beyond the standard. I've been a fan of Onry's work since the release of Grayskul's Rhymesayers debut LP Deadlivers and got my first taste of DTS' work when the track "Primor" from their debut LP Vessel made it's way around the blogosphere. With that album was my first introduction to producer Zavala's bigger than just hip hop beats and DTS' unique mixture of rhymes, melody and amazing musical landscapes which showcased that duo are more than just another hip hop duo.
The album's production provided by Zavala is a wonderful mix of dark but upbeat hip-hop, jazz and electro which mesh perfectly with Onry's signature style of and lyrics as well as the inclusion of indie pop vocals from guest artists such as Reva Devito, Mendee of Free Moral Agents and Child Actor. Although a majority of the album is filled with guest features, this takes nothing away from what DTS bring as a whole. In fact, I believe it helps to enhance the experience as showcased on stand out tracks like "Valiant" featuring Child Actor, my personal favorite "Overlordian" featuring Doomtree's very own P.O.S., the album's single "Take My Hand" featuring Swamburger of Solillaquists of Sound and their current touring buddy Aesop Rock and the track which brought me back into the world of Dark Time Sunshine "Look At What The Cat Did" featuring a non abstract verse from Busdriver.
Aside from it's slow upstart, ANX holds its own to the albums released this year by it's peers and surpasses DTS previous effort by a large margin. Even if most indie hip hop isn't up your alley, it's definitely a worthwhile listen for all that it brings to the table. But if you are a hip hop fan and you haven't picked up this release, I ask you this, "What the fuck are you waiting for!?" ANX is now available via Fake Four, Inc. and we highly suggest you grab yourself a copy and catch these guys on tour as well. Still not convinced by all this text? Then do what I do, take a listen to the album stream below and if it tickles your music bunghole pick up the LP here. While you are there, I also suggest you check out the duo's previous effort Vessel as well. That shit bangs.
Score: 3.5
