“Popular Mechanics” is the name of the refreshing new EP that dropped between J Scienide and Bozack Morris. I’m sure everyone feels when it’s time to switch things up, and this is a great direction to start off in. J Scienide can rock with a lot of different emcees, but he stands out on his own with a mature, well seasoned quality about him. When he paired up with Bozack for this project, it resulted in a high grade lyrical showcase backed by superior soundscapes with a damn near flawless finish.
“Capeesh” is the first single and rightfully so, as J’s bars are finely executed over a ridiculously satisfying beat that you won’t be able to just sit still to. Get a feel for the lyrics and nod your head to the drum kick.
You get 3 knockout verses on “Stadium,” one from J, and one from the other two featured emcees Asun Eastwood and Recognize Ali. I had an opportunity to hear this in advance while in NY and it sounds amazing in the car turned up as you ride through the streets.
I got the strongest emotion out of “Hand of God” featuring Ty Farris, who was a great fit to rap alongside J, as a fellow emcee and for the overall project. I really like the production here, which features a combination of drums, pianos, a dripping faucet and foreign vocals. This was the most unique out of the tracks in terms of sound.
“Sunday Morning” is the last joint, which is another single and personal favorite. The feel is somber but hopeful at the same time, as J reflects on past experiences but how it’s molded and shaped him into where he is now.
This was on my list of highly anticipated releases as I heard at least 3 teasers of what to expect beforehand. I wouldn’t consider this to be dark and gritty, but rather substance based and thought provoking. The beats bang, but its something you’d want to vibe out to, and it’s not overly fast paced.
Bozack’s production is crisp, you can hear the quality from the beat making to the mixing, and some assistance with the mastering, courtesy of Futurewave. Some of the tracks were a little more on the experimental side, which I can appreciate because sometimes you want to provide your audience with something they don’t hear often.
J is an individual who genuinely takes his craft seriously, and he’s not trying to fit an image for popularity. Hip Hop has a much deeper meaning than just an outer layer to the emcee, who’s been doing this for quite some time, as well as Bozack.
No doubt, the chemistry between these two is natural and authentic. You’ll see for yourself once you give this a spin.
Preorders for physical copies (CD and vinyl) is available on bandcamp. Kristoffer West Johnson handled the artwork. Also check out visuals for Capeesh and Sunday Morning, both shot by Mercenary, if you haven’t had a chance yet. -Hipnotik1
