Kansas City, Missouri artist, Reid the Martian, is one of those rare talents who has the ability to do it all. If rapping and singing weren’t enough, the gifted entertainer also stands out among his musical peers for producing and playing the majority of instruments on his new album, “Excuses Not To Sleep.”
“Distractions” kicks off the proceedings with a light, airy vibe and accessible pop rhythms that would fit in nicely with anyone’s mellow morning playlist before segueing into an atmospheric jam called “Hideaway.” Reid flows over the exotic soundscape with ease and transports us to a lush dance paradise via his clever instrumentation. The following cut, “Way Up,” is jarring by comparison due to the off-kilter syncopation and rhyme cadences but eventually settles into a firm groove before we’re hit with the computerized gangsta landscape of “On The Fly 2.” “Fuck the money, fuck the fame. This is real life!”
“The Other Side” is the type of track that is almost begging to be performed live. The clever arrangement appears to be wholly designed for audience interaction and spontaneous crowd surfing. “On The Fly” brings in elements of jazz while Reid spits fun lyrics for the listeners. As an example of the artist’s diversity, RTM delivers bars over a Trap backdrop on “Purpose,” then completely switches gears for the album’s apex, a funk-laden dance gem called “Take Care.” Fueled by aggression, the downbeat “Trial By Fire” follows next before “Real Love” rounds out the collection for a sultry and satisfying conclusion. “Excuses Not To Sleep” is a solid album from a multi-talented indie artist on the rise. Reid may not really be a martian…but he definitely makes music that’s out of this world!
– Kevin Keith
