Album Review: Blockhead - Free Sweatpants (2019)

Blockhead is a producer and DJ from NYC. I discovered his latest album, Free Sweatpants, through Backwoodz Studioz, the label that released the astonishingly good Paraffin by Armand Hammer last year (which featured on my 35 favourite albums of 2018).

I had never heard of Blockhead nor heard any of his music before but I figured I'd give the album a shot and hope for the best. Well I'm glad that I did as it's one of my favourite records so far this year.

The album sees Blockhead collaborating with a number of other artists including the aforementioned Armand Hammer, Aesop Rock and Open Mike Eagle (whose last release featured on my 10 favourite EPs of 2018) amongst others. These guys are all quality MCs and the rapping, vocal hooks and insightful lyrics all reflect this quite wonderfully. 

Despite all the oral talent on offer, Free Sweatpants opens with Dream On, an almost completely instrumental track save for some catchy looped samples. It's one of the most infectious opening tracks I've heard this year and proves that Blockhead is a truly talented DJ.

This talent for producing great music is further demonstrated by the laid back, chilled out beats and soundscapes he serves up to his wordy companions who duly relish in garnishing the already delicious platter with a spattering of street poetry.

A perfect example is Slippery Slope (which featured on my Jamuary playlist), a slow, dreamy trip with a simple bass rumble and light drums mixed with breezy flutes and shimmering organ.

There's also Favorite Chair, a much darker and brooding journey with haunting brass loops and sporadic hand drummed percussion.

I could just as easily mention any of the other MC'ed tracks on this album as they're all impressive in their own right with Kiss The Cook and Be Safe (which wouldn't sound out of place on the aforementioned Paraffin) being particular favourites.

Whilst Blockhead does let his collaborators flex their lyrical muscles he isn't afraid to go it alone and there are plenty more tracks that feature mostly beats and samples such as Rock'em Sock'em Hop, an almost 6 minute psyche jazz monster or the bizarre By Myself Meeting, opening as it does with what sounds like someone's impression of a gobbling turkey (weird but somehow, it just works), before leading into a plodding yet soothing bass line, littered with twinkling piano and strained harmonica.

There's huge musical variety on show on Free Sweatpants and the instrumentation is a delightful listen. Setting a relaxed but intensely interesting mood it's a perfect album to sit back and blaze to (one would imagine...).

If you're a fan of some chilled beats, sparingly used samples and expertly delivered old-school MC'ing then your ears deserve to hear Free Sweatpants without delay.

Stream it on bandcamp or wherever you get your streams. Alternatively you can get physical right here. 

Peace.

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