After a announcing their collaborative project and a few singles, Rome Fortune and Dun Deal have finally put out Drive, Thighs & Lies for fans to fully appreciate. While only five songs long, the EP still boasts some impressive lyrical displays, infectious hooks, and exciting production. Both Rome and Dun Deal are still climbing to their peek, but this project will eventually be counted among their best.
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Rome continues to get better as a lyricist, finding ways to incorporate more complex rhymes into his laid back delivery. There is a sublime intelligence and sincerity that hides underneath the confidence that oozes out of each line, which makes it easy to subconsciously root for him, even when he doing something wrong. In Drive, Thighs & Lies, he embraced this quality of his music much more than his previous mixtape, Beautiful Pimp II; thankfully trading a considerable amount of introspection for more action or commentary. A track like "Payin' For It," demonstrates his ability to stunt, but still say something of importance—in this case, not falling for his new groupies.
Rome rightfully does majority of the heavy lifting vocally, but there are some featured guest to assist. Peewee Longway, ShoMo, and Junglepussy all make solid appearances, adding more personality to boisterous tracks that wouldn't be full vanquished with Rome's monotone flow alone. However, Relly Jade has the most surprising feature on the entire EP; she exudes a certain feminine confidence that is both seductive and mind boggling. Her verse burst onto the track and just blows everyone else away for the thirty or forty seconds it runs. Definitely to short, but Jade is now a name to remember for later.
DunDeal provides innovative production that toes the line between traditional hip hop, trap, and edm—and sometimes classical. Each track varies from one another in style, but somehow manage to flow right into each other. He provides Rome with some lively beats that compliment his quite deliberate delivery; this is due to Dun Deals amazing musicianship, as he often relies on live instruments to spruce up his beats. The coolness and relaxing nature of "Waterfall's" production, makes it my favorite beat on the entire project.
Rome Fortune and Dun Deal have created an excellent piece of work on Drive, Thighs & Lies. Its short length means it can be enjoyed and replayed a number of times, which is process that is definitely recommended. If you want to hear some extra tracks they've made together, head down to Rome's soundcloud, where he has a few archived.
